Graduating late from a good college vs graduating on time from a mediocre college?

[Anonymous]

Our son just finished his second year at a community college. He has a 4.0, but didn't get accepted into the flagship that many students at his CC transfer to because he didn't have the right classes due to bad advisement. We actually talked to someone at that flagship and it turns out he's only missing three classes. Even though he could get those three classes out of the way this coming fall semester, this flagship only admits transfer students for the fall, so he have to wait a whole year before transfer transferring to this flagship as a junior, meaning it would take him a total of 5 years to get his Bachelor's degree.

He has, however, been accepted to a few local lackluster colleges. Although he has a good chance of going to this really good college if he sticks it out another year, he says he's thinking about this time two years from now, and doesn't think he'll be able to bear watching all his friends from high school graduate college before him. When I pointed out to him that he would probably make more money if he went to this flagship, he said that even a seven-figure salary couldn't make up for the heart-ache of seeing all his friends graduate before him. Graduations are really important to him.

[Anonymous]

What's the flagship and what's the mediocre college?
Is it UVA vs Mason? Or UVA versus Tech?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our son just finished his second year at a community college. He has a 4.0, but didn't get accepted into the flagship that many students at his CC transfer to because he didn't have the right classes due to bad advisement. We actually talked to someone at that flagship and it turns out he's only missing three classes. Even though he could get those three classes out of the way this coming fall semester, this flagship only admits transfer students for the fall, so he have to wait a whole year before transfer transferring to this flagship as a junior, meaning it would take him a total of 5 years to get his Bachelor's degree.

He has, however, been accepted to a few local lackluster colleges. Although he has a good chance of going to this really good college if he sticks it out another year, he says he's thinking about this time two years from now, and doesn't think he'll be able to bear watching all his friends from high school graduate college before him. When I pointed out to him that he would probably make more money if he went to this flagship, he said that even a seven-figure salary couldn't make up for the heart-ache of seeing all his friends graduate before him. Graduations are really important to him.

Well, I think you have your answer then.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our son just finished his second year at a community college. He has a 4.0, but didn't get accepted into the flagship that many students at his CC transfer to because he didn't have the right classes due to bad advisement. We actually talked to someone at that flagship and it turns out he's only missing three classes. Even though he could get those three classes out of the way this coming fall semester, this flagship only admits transfer students for the fall, so he have to wait a whole year before transfer transferring to this flagship as a junior, meaning it would take him a total of 5 years to get his Bachelor's degree.

He has, however, been accepted to a few local lackluster colleges. Although he has a good chance of going to this really good college if he sticks it out another year, he says he's thinking about this time two years from now, and doesn't think he'll be able to bear watching all his friends from high school graduate college before him. When I pointed out to him that he would probably make more money if he went to this flagship, he said that even a seven-figure salary couldn't make up for the heart-ache of seeing all his friends graduate before him. Graduations are really important to him.

But you don’t know that he actually would make more money graduating from the flagship. Maybe he will be a true standout at the other college and have opportunities that set him apart from other students. It sounds like he would strongly prefer to graduate on time so it seems that his decision is to attend the non flagship school.

[Anonymous]

He should wait for the flagship unless they are similar options like VA Tech and UVA. Sure some kids will take 5 years to graduate anyway due to inability to get all their courses in or doing a 3+2 or whatever.

[Anonymous]

Everyone takes a different path, and all the flagship now advertise their 6 year graduation rates [read, most don't graduate in 4 years].

Once you graduate from college, you don't put your HS on your resume, so no one will ever know that he graduated a year later than his peers

[Anonymous]

Does he have any desire to go to grad school or law school? He can go to the lower rated college, get excellent grades, graduate on time, then get admitted to good graduate or law schools.

[Anonymous]

Poor kid - he doesn't realize he won't BE friends with his old HS friends by the time they are all graduating from college.

Force him to wait for the better college. He doesn't know what's best. And if he's a little sad seeing kids he used to be friends with graduate a year ahead of him, he'll deal.

[Anonymous]

He will be better off waiting foe the better college. He should talk with the better college to get advice on which other CC courses would be the best choices for the Spring term.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our son just finished his second year at a community college. He has a 4.0, but didn't get accepted into the flagship that many students at his CC transfer to because he didn't have the right classes due to bad advisement. We actually talked to someone at that flagship and it turns out he's only missing three classes. Even though he could get those three classes out of the way this coming fall semester, this flagship only admits transfer students for the fall, so he have to wait a whole year before transfer transferring to this flagship as a junior, meaning it would take him a total of 5 years to get his Bachelor's degree.

He has, however, been accepted to a few local lackluster colleges. Although he has a good chance of going to this really good college if he sticks it out another year, he says he's thinking about this time two years from now, and doesn't think he'll be able to bear watching all his friends from high school graduate college before him. When I pointed out to him that he would probably make more money if he went to this flagship, he said that even a seven-figure salary couldn't make up for the heart-ache of seeing all his friends graduate before him. Graduations are really important to him.

Life isn't a competition but if he sees it that way then seeing his friends earn and spend more would be tougher.

However, college choice isn't as important as major or track choice. If he wants to go to lackluster college to save a year, he can pick a major he likes, do well in it, make connections with professors and career advisors to find good internships and job opportunities.

If he has his heart set on high ranking college, one year is nothing in bigger picture. He can use gap year to take needed courses and do some research or internship in his intended profession.

If money isn't a problem, go take a course and have some fun somewhere exotic overseas.

He'll be fine either which way he choses, if choice really is his own.

[Anonymous]

Just explain all options fairly and give him true freedom to make his choice. Don't force your preferences.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Poor kid - he doesn't realize he won't BE friends with his old HS friends by the time they are all graduating from college.

Force him to wait for the better college. He doesn't know what's best. And if he's a little sad seeing kids he used to be friends with graduate a year ahead of him, he'll deal.

NP. He seems to have stayed friends for two years so far, he’s likely to keep it up for another two.

I either lost touch with high school friends during our first year in college or I stayed friends well past college graduation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:He will be better off waiting foe the better college. He should talk with the better college to get advice on which other CC courses would be the best choices for the Spring term.

He might get in. That’s what mom says. It’s not a guarantee.

Let him make his own decision. You can’t pick his college for him, nor should you. There’s no guarantee he will love the state flagship and make more money with the degree. Name the school and the degree you want so bad. Is it UVA? If so, personally I think it’s overrated. Only people in this area care about it so much.

[Anonymous]

You don't want him resent a choice he was forced into it.

I picked a college which was closer to home and easier to shine at because everyone said so. I resent that choice when someone asks which college I attended. It sounds like I wasn't good enough to get accepted to the prestigious school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our son just finished his second year at a community college. He has a 4.0, but didn't get accepted into the flagship that many students at his CC transfer to because he didn't have the right classes due to bad advisement. We actually talked to someone at that flagship and it turns out he's only missing three classes. Even though he could get those three classes out of the way this coming fall semester, this flagship only admits transfer students for the fall, so he have to wait a whole year before transfer transferring to this flagship as a junior, meaning it would take him a total of 5 years to get his Bachelor's degree.

He has, however, been accepted to a few local lackluster colleges. Although he has a good chance of going to this really good college if he sticks it out another year, he says he's thinking about this time two years from now, and doesn't think he'll be able to bear watching all his friends from high school graduate college before him. When I pointed out to him that he would probably make more money if he went to this flagship, he said that even a seven-figure salary couldn't make up for the heart-ache of seeing all his friends graduate before him. Graduations are really important to him.

He can dual enroll to the cc and the lesser university.

If uva, they want the majority of the credits to come from the cc, not all. This will help him not waste the year. Or do a semester abroad and have lots of fun.