Part of the distinction between why this process has been made harder is primarily due to finances. If you do not get a scholarship, you are expected to have a job. Not a good job either specifically crafted for 18 year olds so they can get used to work and also handle school properly. No, we throw them into the depths of dealing with ghoulish customers with no way to climb so of course they feel they have to go to school to get out. It's a self reinforcing cycle of pressure.