Should my kid attend these schools over community college?

[Anonymous]

this is emerging as one of the more useful threads on DCUM - well done folks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

In terms of Math, he's taking geometry currently, I don't see him taking math beyond what's required to graduate.

No matter where he goes, if he doesn't want to take additional math beyond what's required, engineering is going to be not the right fit. I would take that out of the equation - not because he couldn't get into some fine school that offers it, or do courses at community college, but because if he doesn't like and want to do math, he's not going to stick with engineering.

+1 this doesn't sound like a student who will be successful in engineering. He should go someplace with good supports for students that helps them explore potential majors while taking a range of general ed requirements. Mason has classes like that. If you think he'd do better at a smaller school, consider UMW. (assuming you are in Virginia)

[Anonymous]

Community College hands down, and spend the money you save on tutors to solidify math and writing. Your kid will have a much better outome with that plan than sending them off to a no-name 4 year college.

[Anonymous]

Definitely visit Marshall with your ds to see what he thinks. I was impressed. Lots of newer buildings. I also liked that the campus was relatively compact so it was easy to get around. The town was also very cute and walkable from campus. My ds ultimately did not attend but for distance reasons (we are not in DMV).

Other schools to look at which provide academic support (and merit aid to people with lower stats) include University of Hartford and Mercyhurst.

[Anonymous]

Avoid the financially struggling University of Hartford.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

Your kid might as well have gone to cc, then.

FWIW, my kid is also a late bloomer, and I am not sure how well they will be able to take care of themselves if they went away to college.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Community College hands down, and spend the money you save on tutors to solidify math and writing. Your kid will have a much better outome with that plan than sending them off to a no-name 4 year college.

+1 outcome of 2 yr cc + 2yr at respected college > 4 years at no name college.

[Anonymous]

OP -did you say where you live? Not all CC are the same. A strong CC to flagship university program will be better overall than a non name 4yr program.

Montgomery College in MD is one of the top 10 CC in the country and acts as a feeder school with guaranteed admission to UMD. It also partners with the Universities at Shady Grove, which hosts the junior/senior years for a variety of high demand degrees from multiple MD universities (your degree is from that university, but you take classes at USG). The students are a mix of capabilities, but there are a lot of families with strong academic students who can’t afford or won’t send their kids to live somewhere on a college campus, so they start at MC. It’s a great option for many.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

Your kid might as well have gone to cc, then.

FWIW, my kid is also a late bloomer, and I am not sure how well they will be able to take care of themselves if they went away to college.

I’m the person you quoted. My kid would have hated CC! She wanted the experience. She was ready for the independence. She found some motivation that I had no idea she had at her college. I think because she was a big fish. Her achievements there have been amazing and that never would have happened for her at CC. I think CC can be the right fit for some. It was not for her and we knew it. She rose to the challenge and after one year is headed to a much more competitive school. She realizes it will be harder but she is incredibly motivated to succeed and knows how to ask for help when she needs it. She was just not ready for the college selection process last year and did not take it seriously and although had a amazing grades junior and senior year, did not have the rigor she would have needed to get into the same school last year. She proved herself and I doubt for her that would have happened at CC.

[Anonymous]

Consider:

Lycoming College in Williamsport, Pennsylvania (almost 1,100 students)

https://Lycoming.edu/business/

Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania (over 2,200 students)

https://susqu.edu/academics/sigmund-weis-school-of-business/

Flagler College in St. Augustine, Florida (2,600 students)

https://flagler.edu/academics/degrees-programs/business-administration-international-business-and-marketing/business

College of Charleston in Charleston, South Carolina

https://Charleston.edu/school-business/

OP: Engineering requires lots of advanced math.

[Anonymous]

Sorry, but an unmotivated, mediocre student far away from home at a mediocre college?

No, there's too much risk of skipping class and not doing the work.

It would be community college for my kid - we have a great one right here in MoCo. We would hash out a live-in agreement with greater freedom, but I'd be there in case of problems.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Consider:

Lycoming College in Williamsport, Pennsylvania (almost 1,100 students)

https://Lycoming.edu/business/

Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania (over 2,200 students)

https://susqu.edu/academics/sigmund-weis-school-of-business/

Flagler College in St. Augustine, Florida (2,600 students)

https://flagler.edu/academics/degrees-programs/business-administration-international-business-and-marketing/business

College of Charleston in Charleston, South Carolina

https://Charleston.edu/school-business/

OP: Engineering requires lots of advanced math.

OP: I made the above post. I can list many more schools if you share your son's preferences regarding location and size of school.

If he wants a large university ASU (Arizona State), U of Arizona, and the University of Kansas may be of interest. University of Nebraska in Lincoln.

Also, U Scranton, Elizabethtown College,

[Anonymous]

Engineering is an extremely demanding major for everyone. Lots of very good students crash and burn in the first year or two. If you are not a very disciplined student comfortable with high level math, you're going to have a hard time making it through an engineering degree.

I'd probably gently discourage pursuing engineering, but I would encourage a four year college. The peer group, the expectations, and the available resources are likely to be more helpful to a student who is only now developing some academic focus. Community college sounds good on paper but it can be isolating and there's going to be a much greater variation among students - from age to interests to abilities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Jeez, OP, I thought you were talking about a Sr. You are thinking about this too granularly at this point. Kids change a lot between 10th and 12th grade and some kids don't find their footing until later.

[Anonymous]

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

Why?