College help for a child in foster care

[Anonymous]

Also- take a look at the Matchlighters program. Completely free professional college counseling. https://www.collegeessayguy.com/matchlighters

[Anonymous]

I have a disabled child and was originally in GMU. It’s simply not designed for kids who struggle in massive bureaucracies. Kid needs a lot of internal ability to push for what they want. It was super convenient however.

Now at McDaniel with about 1400 students and really loving the support services. Kid so much happier. Tons of support from professors, staff and the academic support center. Thumbs up to them. I hope you find a good place for your child.

[Anonymous]

Other community college options that have residential housing:

Allegany College of Maryland (Cumberland, Maryland)
Garrett College (McHenry, Maryland)

[Anonymous]

McDaniel!

[Anonymous]

I’ll second the suggestion of Shenandoah University. Far enough to be away, but still close enough to provide a sense of security.

[Anonymous]

So upfront apologies for my fast skim of this thread and not having much to offer but I think she is very lucky to you have guiding her through what in the best of circumstances can be a complicated time. It sounds like she is thriving.

I think with consistent support from home, NOVA is a great transitional option to college. I have heard great things about Bridgewater in similar situations. I also get this is a super-huge school but VCU has some excellent supports in place.

Wishing you and her all the best.

[Anonymous]

Good you are looking for support. That’s what they need, and unconditional help right now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So upfront apologies for my fast skim of this thread and not having much to offer but I think she is very lucky to you have guiding her through what in the best of circumstances can be a complicated time. It sounds like she is thriving.

I think with consistent support from home, NOVA is a great transitional option to college. I have heard great things about Bridgewater in similar situations. I also get this is a super-huge school but VCU has some excellent supports in place.

Wishing you and her all the best.

DP: Ditto that!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The strongest argument for a community college for her, OP, is that the faculty and staff at a CC are going to be much, MUCH more prepared to help this student succeed than will the faculty/staff of an institution that is geared for traditional college-age students from "traditional" families. She will be intrinsically included, vs. having to do some combination of explaining herself and her background and hiding it.

i really disagree, the exception might be richard bland bc of the residential aspect. Community colleges are so easy to get lost in, there is not a I would recommend a small private college where her professors know her and there is a big emphasis on community.

To the other small colleges, I'd add Bridgewater College, Roanoke College, and Mary Baldwin.

Another good option is GMU living on campus. On one hand it's good to have a small community, on the other hand it may feel claustrophobic and she might feel she can find her friend group more easily in a larger school like GMU.

In MD I'd consider Notre Dame of MD, Goucher, and Hood.

Completely agree. Community college, especially NoVA, is a terrible idea. Way too easy to get lost. Richard Bland is a great option.

OP, have you considered Christopher Newport? It’s small and has a good reputation for supporting students with special needs. ODU and VCU would also be supportive, but they’re so big…I think she would do well with a smaller campus and more attention from an advisor.

As a former HD English teacher, I have worked with several kids in foster care to get accepted to college. Many, many admissions offices will completely overlook the first couple of years of GPA if she has a dramatic turnaround in your care. There is a reason she is in foster care and hat they will see is how she has thrived and excelled with the right care and support.

Try to get an appt with the head of guidance at her HS. Also encourage you to develop a good relationship with at least one of her teachers, ideally her English teacher. I did a lot of support and advocacy for my kids, including having guidance counselors make calls to their admissions contacts at times. I also went out of my way to write stellar recommendations and help kids with their essays.

Thank you for giving her the support her parents couldn’t.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP Here. Just wanted to say that I am reading and taking notes and appreciate the responses.
Yes - she is on track for a standard diploma.
In no particular order I have these on my list for us to look at - realizing that many of these are likely too big/impersonal and understanding pps comments about a smaller school being easier to manage. Also agree with comments about diversity. If you suggested one and I missed it, please let me know.

Richard Bland College
Mary Baldwin
Hollins University
Radford
Randolph College
Bridgewater College
University of Mary Washington
Hood
VCU
McDaniel College
Longwood
George Mason University
Goucher
James Madison University
Marymount
Sweet Briar
Notre Dame of MD

Add Christopher Newport for sure.

I would immediately take JMU and Mason off the list. Way, way too big, and lots of rich kids. She needs a supportive environment with lots of economic diversity.

I’ve heard good things about Mary Washington in Fredericksburg in terms of support for special kids and kids in unique circumstances, too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Consider the two year community college track, then transfer to a university. Might be good for her to continue at your safe home base during this transition.

If she wants the full university experience, including making friends and developing strong bonds in a school community, this is NOT the way to go. It is BERY difficult for transfer students to fit in at a traditional 4 year school. It is a great path if you have no $$ for 4 year college, but this is not OP’s child’s problem. They’ll pay for her and with funicular aid, she should get close to a free ride anyway.

I agree with OP that a fill 4 year experience would be ideal, wishing easy visiting distance from here. Look for small 4 year schools with economic diversity.

[Anonymous]

First, it is really wonderful that you are providing her with a solid, loving, and nurturing home. I have a college freshman and we were told over and over that colleges don’t focus much on freshman high school grades. I myself had a medical issue that affected my freshman grades and my counselor addressed it in the letter she wrote to colleges. The colleges basically focused on my 10-12 grades.

Second, I may be missing something here but it sounds like she was failing high school before she came to live with you. If you fail don’t you have to repeat? There are a lot of kids who reclass for sports and kids who take an academic gap year or move to private school and repeat a year of high school. Have you considered having her spend an extra year so she can fill in the gaps and improve her foundational knowledge? My biggest concern for her is making sure she has a strong foundation when she goes to college. That will make the adjustment easier and make it more likely she will adjust more easily.

I so hope she continues to do well. Best to you all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Take a look at the Richard Bland College of William & Mary. It's essentially a residential junior college that has a relationship with W&M. https://www.rbc.edu/

Oh this is a great idea. Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Potomac State West Virginia - dorms, small, sports, clubs and easy to get in.
https://www.potomacstatecollege.edu/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Potomac State West Virginia - dorms, small, sports, clubs and easy to get in.
https://www.potomacstatecollege.edu/

+1 Very affordable.