Where can a C student go?

[Anonymous]

I wish OP would share the nature of the part-time job her child really enjoys. That seems like a core detail that may help with brainstorming some out of the box ideas. For example, if he’s really into the outdoors or working with his hands, a college like Warren Wilson or Paul Smith’s may be worth exploring.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is his part-time job that he loves?

I don't want to give too many details for privacy reasons, but it isn't something that could be a career.

People make a living by being checkout workers at Walmart. It doesn’t have to be what *you* would define as a “career” if it’s something he enjoys and earns some money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:One of the many colleges that take everyone who can pay tuition.

Not helpful. Was hoping for specific recommendations of not awful schools that are affordable.

What is affordable to you? No one on this board knows your finances so that's going to make it hard for people to respond intelligently.

For specific recommendations, you've told us basically nothing about what type of school environment is appealing to your kid. So, how about Gettysburg College, Muhlenberg College, or Ithaca College.

Thanks. Kid is introverted and has little interest in college. But has two Ivy League grad parents, one with a PhD. So we don't even know where to start with this. Money is not a huge issue, but we're not rich enough to afford some of the most expensive schools comfortably, but in any case my husband refuses to spend a ton of money on a kid who doesn't even want to go. Low grades are due mainly to working too much (he has a part time job he loves and he works as much as he can) and also just not liking school work.

He is not you. You need to drop your expectations based on your experience and help him achieve his own goals. If he doesn't want to go to college, what does he want to do? Listen non-judgementally, making sure he knows that you'll love and support him even if he chooses a non-academic path.

He wants to play video games all night and sleep all day. If he had some other passion, believe me, we'd be encouraging it.

What kind of video games are we talking about?
Esports are a thing -- there are lots of undergrad degree programs now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anywhere, almost! Not the Ivies.
Dickinson, F&M, Gettysburg, Allegheny, Marist, Wooster?

For a C student? Are you crazy?

[Anonymous]

Absolutely consider what it is about the job that he likes to help him think about different paths.

He might like the idea of a school with a co-op program so he can alternate work/school. Some have high admit rates, like U of Cincinnati or Wentworth Institute of Technology (Boston).

If he can't find a 4 yr school he's interested in then, sure work + CC while he figures it out. It works for some kids but I've seen others in my family flounder in CC because they spent too much time working or didn't get good advising and took classes that ended up being a waste of time. Plus you miss out on extra time at the 4-yr school to build faculty relationships, ec involvement, friends, etc.

[Anonymous]

Does he want to do something completely different than college (ie become a fireman)? If he's interested in video games, maybe he should look into colleges with a game design program. He might also like a college such as Worcester Polytechnic Institute, where the students typically work in groups on projects.

[Anonymous]

OP have you thought about a post graduate prep program. They take kids for one year after high school and credits usually transfer. So, they get to leave home but not jump straight into college. I don't know which are good but here is one so you can see how they work. https://bridgtonacademy.org

[Anonymous]

Sounds like the military might be beneficial post high school. A period of maturation might help him focus on longer-term goals and what educational or vocational training paths will get him where he eventually decides he wants to go.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP have you thought about a post graduate prep program. They take kids for one year after high school and credits usually transfer. So, they get to leave home but not jump straight into college. I don't know which are good but here is one so you can see how they work. https://bridgtonacademy.org

$66k for something like this? Yikes! Seems like CC and having the student keep their p/t job would be a better path forward if he’s not yet ready for a 4 year college.

[Anonymous]

Some of the suggestions here are bizarre. Next, someone will recommend he join us ICE for the generous signing bonus!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some of the suggestions here are bizarre. Next, someone will recommend he join us ICE for the generous signing bonus!

On the flip side, some of the suggestions have been very good.

The takeaway is that OP should be more flexible, forgiving, and creative in thinking about and helping to guide their child’s next steps and opportunities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was a teacher for 30 years. Your child sounds like a prime candidate for a year or two at NOVA and then transfer to Tech/UVA/JMU.
Over the years I had a number of kids who didn't get into their first choice school but transferred after a year at NOVA. If your kid isn't interested in college maybe just taking one or two classes will help him figure out if college is what he wants.

I was going to say this, too, OP.

[Anonymous]

I would look into the regional public colleges in Ohio, like Ohio University and Kent State. Kids love Ohio University. My DS got a ton of money and was accepted for mechanical engineering. His grades were just ok and he was TO. He got into Kent State for mechatronics engineering. Didn't bother checking about aid since by then he had other options. They are just nice value schools for kids that don't have top stats. I also think the stands a chance at Miami of Ohio with a 1350. He would need to visit and show some interest. Miami is a tier above the other two.

[Anonymous]

My one "C" student is going to a state university out west and the other is attending a technical school. ((They are literally the only MCPS students from their years attending those schools so I won't name them here.)) Both accept everyone who applies; my kids applied about a month before starting classes and did not apply to anywhere else.

The out of state public school kid is establishing residency there so it will be <$10k/year after this year. The tech school student is working a full time job and is mostly paying his own way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One of the many colleges that take everyone who can pay tuition.

Not helpful. Was hoping for specific recommendations of not awful schools that are affordable.

What is affordable to you? No one on this board knows your finances so that's going to make it hard for people to respond intelligently.

For specific recommendations, you've told us basically nothing about what type of school environment is appealing to your kid. So, how about Gettysburg College, Muhlenberg College, or Ithaca College.

Thanks. Kid is introverted and has little interest in college. But has two Ivy League grad parents, one with a PhD. So we don't even know where to start with this. Money is not a huge issue, but we're not rich enough to afford some of the most expensive schools comfortably, but in any case my husband refuses to spend a ton of money on a kid who doesn't even want to go. Low grades are due mainly to working too much (he has a part time job he loves and he works as much as he can) and also just not liking school work.

In this case, maybe just let him work and take community college classes. Will have a lot more options if he does well there.

This sounds like a future small business owner!