Should my kid attend these schools over community college?

[Anonymous]

Kiddo is not a high performer and struggles academically. They are just now becoming interested in engineering. They don't have the grades or the math classes to make it into most engineering programs. Business is another interest.

In an attempt to guide them, I'm not sure which direction to push them in. Should I guide them far away from engineering and into an easier major or degree?

Community College is a great option for them, but I fear they will continue to be middle of the road and won't have great transfer options. We came across a few 4 years that feel like a waste financially for a kid who is undecided, challenged academically and not super motivated. Johnson and Wales University, Marshall University, Washington and Jefferson College and Fairleigh Dickinson are all realistic options.

Is it worth it to push for a 4 year that has lower standards / more hand holding, or would you encourage CC?

[Anonymous]

CC. In VA, a year or two of strong performance at a CC can get a student into UVA, etc. I’m not sure how that works for impacted majors, but the cc path seems perfect for your DS. At some point they have to own their education (or lack thereof).

[Anonymous]

DD who was a reasonably strong student but not gunning for top schools liked Washington and Jefferson. She went elsewhere but she liked the small size and they offered a lot of merit. I think you should check it out. DS who struggles academically but works incredibly hard is seriously considering Farliegh Dickinson. I don’t think anybody can really provide guidance without a sense of the courses your child has taken and his grades. DS takes a mix of honors and on level classes and will probably graduate with 4 APs if he sticks with his plan. He is very weak in math and science but stronger in English and history. He has a cumulative GPA of 3.6 uw and just above 4.0 w. He will be test optional. We discussed community college but he really wants a 4 year school so I’m supporting his wishes. I think a smaller school will offer him better support and hand holding but he wants big so FD seems a good compromise. Maybe have your son try a dual enrollment class at the community college to see how he does.

[Anonymous]

Yes, I would still send them to a four year college.

[Anonymous]

Marshall is pretty well known for their academic supports

But in your case, I would say community college is likely the better option

My husband went the military route right out of HS, then started at the community college level and eventually transferred to Mason as a part time engineering student while working full time and after we had welcomed out first child. He is an engineer working as a govt contractor.

[Anonymous]

I would try to get into one of the lesser known four year programs.

CC is a great option for a hard-working, but middling student. They will put it the time, get the grades and have transfer options. I've known a few kids like you describe your own. Middling students that are not particularly focused on education. I've seen 3 kids that I knew that went to CC, for a couple of years, then dropped out and got low-paying jobs and never got the degree. One went to work in a Target warehouse and got a better than minimum wage job, so he was doing okay, but he ended up a boomerang child and is now 30 and still living at home and working at Target. Another did some sort of medical technician vocational school and is working in a doctor's office.

I think if he can get into a 4 year program, then he should. He doesn't sound like the type that will drop out and will drive himself to go back to CC later and get that degree. Better a less recognized degree than no degree.

[Anonymous]

What grade is your kiddo?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD who was a reasonably strong student but not gunning for top schools liked Washington and Jefferson. She went elsewhere but she liked the small size and they offered a lot of merit. I think you should check it out. DS who struggles academically but works incredibly hard is seriously considering Farliegh Dickinson. I don’t think anybody can really provide guidance without a sense of the courses your child has taken and his grades. DS takes a mix of honors and on level classes and will probably graduate with 4 APs if he sticks with his plan. He is very weak in math and science but stronger in English and history. He has a cumulative GPA of 3.6 uw and just above 4.0 w. He will be test optional. We discussed community college but he really wants a 4 year school so I’m supporting his wishes. I think a smaller school will offer him better support and hand holding but he wants big so FD seems a good compromise. Maybe have your son try a dual enrollment class at the community college to see how he does.

Currently a sophomore with a 3.1. He takes a mix of honors and standard. He will not likely take any AP's, maybe 1 senior year. He has entered into an intensive tutoring program and has brought up his grades significantly this past semester. In terms of Math, he's taking geometry currently, I don't see him taking math beyond what's required to graduate. He's been working really hard lately, but the motivation is external, not intrinsic.

My husband and I both value a 4 year because of the experience, growth, maturity, independence, community, diversity etc. We just don't think he will walk away with any additional motivation from a CC and will be rather narrow minded. In the same breath, we don't want to set him up for failure at a 4 year or waste our money if the outcome is inconsequential.

[Anonymous]

Is he smart but hasn’t been motivated? My husband couldn’t even get in to Arizona State as an in state student when he graduated from high school but got it together at community college and went on to get an engineering degree and a JD.

[Anonymous]

both routes are solid, but i hear you about cc resulting in middle of the road complacency. If you guys are full pay, you could target a liberal arts college in the 60+ ranking range and expect a potentially great experience - W&J is a great Pa option, as are Gettysburg and Muhlenberg - all good options typically looked upon with derision and ridicule by the high-brow “T20 or bust” DCUM crowd. You
will get a more consistently focused crowd at these schools than cc -

[Anonymous]

10th grade? There's still time to figure this out. I wouldn't discourage, or encourage, any major at this point. See if grades continue to improve and how SATs go. And visit some 4-year schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:CC. In VA, a year or two of strong performance at a CC can get a student into UVA, etc. I’m not sure how that works for impacted majors, but the cc path seems perfect for your DS. At some point they have to own their education (or lack thereof).

The world doesn’t revolve around getting into UVa. Even if the kid could transfer there, that doesn’t sound like a good fit, and that’s ok. Op, allow the kid to go to a school that’s a good academic and social fit. Plenty of successful students go to such schools and thrive as late bloomers.

[Anonymous]

Personally, I'd push the 4 year route. They will feel "less than" if they go CC and everyone else goes 4 year. (Not true, but they may feel this way.). It's also not the college experience. It's a lot like high school. I also think they will get better supports at one of thee 4 year schools you mentioned. If they do well, they can always transfer to another, more rigorous school if that's what they want (but thy may love it there and that's good, too).

My kid is a late bloomer and went to a school folks disparage on here. After a year, has applied to transfer and has gotten into schools folks here really respect (T25-50). Kid went to college and took it very seriously, working their tail off and it paid off. They are smart, just a bit of a late bloomer.

[Anonymous]

Ain't a got dam thing wrong with Marshall.

[Anonymous]

Yes if you can afford it. I would pick this route first.

Nothing wrong with Community College at all either.

The transfer process is not as bad as people are saying here. Especially to a 4 year instate school.