like most, adam hamm took it for granted that he would go to ledge and get a°. >> i had all of theseofty goals, and this is the way it's going to be and it's going to be fantastic. >> reporter: after all, his grandfather worked his way through college, his mother and stepfather were teachers, and adam hamm did well in high school, graduating ninth in his class of 230. but as a freshman at chapelhill, his college plans unraveled. >> i was so overwhelmed, that i was literally having anxiety attacks, almost panic attacks, and i got to where i was afraid to even leave my room. i couldn't go to class. i would miss one class on monday, and then wednesday comes around and i'm afraid to go, oh, my god, i missed monday. and i don't want to be embarrassed >> reporter: but dropping out was embarrassing. that's because most college dropouts don't end up like bill gates or steve jobs, rich and successful without a college degree. tony is a white house adviser on higher education. are we becoming a nation of dropouts? >> we're becoming a nation where everybody feels the need to two to college, and