Coming to realization that I have a B/C student

[Anonymous]

No worries. Have the kid do a year or two at MC (or your local cc) and then transfer. Do not pay big bucks for a four year college until you kid proves he can handle it. Fwiw, I have a friend who did two years at mc then transferred to UMCP. He makes twice as much money as I do, and I am a lawyer.

[Anonymous]

Thanks OP. We're in a similar situation and in the process of looking at alternatives. Our children are wonderful and we will continue to encourage them to excel everyday as long as they live in our care. But, there does come a moment when you have put away the whips, chains, and manacles and accept the fact that college in Cambridge may not be in the cards. No question about it that attending an elite university has the potential of opening doors in the future. However, there are alternate routes to breach those castle walls. Ivies would have been nice, but for those who attend and succeed at the colleges listed in this article life in all likelihood will still be quite pleasant.

[Anonymous]

DW went to a junior college and then transferred to an Ivy. It can be done.

On the other hand, this area is way...no, WAY, too obsessed with college brand names. For the most part it is a scam. There is prestige (and the accompanying parental pride) with going to an Ivy. But the same quality of education can be had at many, many "lesser" schools. What the Ivies do have is cachet and great lifetime networking contacts, though, through faculty and other students.

As for the B/C student, let them do things their way. Life is about the journey, too. Let them figure out how they want to live. Ultimately, it's up to them. Life is about so much more than the name on your sweatshirt.

[Anonymous]

I think a reward's system would be good for your DD. It's one thing when a child is a b or c student -- it's another when a child wastes his/her talents. So, if your DD wants b/c grades great. Take away the computer, cell phone and any other distraction until she improves. You'll be shocked. Also -- no tvs in the bedroom = recipe for disaster. Also, no friends over w/o improvement and no weekend fun w/o improvement.

Parents in this area just aren't tough enough. Whining does no good for really smart kids. Consequences do...everyone has a choice. Make it about her future...she can choose a life of working at McDonalds or some lesser job or she can have a really great career.

[Anonymous]

I would be disappointed too but I have to say this...Cs get degrees.

Does she have anything in particular she's interested in? I was self-motivated to be an honors student, but I never developed a niche or passion. I regret that. I would much rather have been a B/C student who aced in a subject that I felt was my calling instead.

Can you talk to her teachers to figure out what areas she could improve in? Test scores vs homework?

B/Cs doesnt mean working at McDonalds. It means no to Ivies, that's all.