Reply to college for average students

Forum Index » College and University Discussion

Reply to "college for average students"

Subject:

Emoticons





More smilies

Text Color: Font: Close Marks

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Often on DCUM I see comments suggesting that average high school students, by which I mean those with 2.8-3.4 GPA's and average or below average SAT/ACT scores, shouldn't be attending a four year college. Sometimes it's argued these kids would be better off learning a trade, or that they should go to a 2-year community college with the possibility of later transfer to a 4 year institution if they do well. I want to offer another perspective.

We have a nephew who struggled in high school. He had a learning disability, and as a result just didn't develop the academic skills needed to be successful in high school. I think his GPA when applying to colleges was something like 3.0 unweighted, and his ACT was around 26. Despite these challenges he managed to get into a small liberal arts college in the midwest. This Spring he graduated college with a 3.6 GPA and a job in marketing with a large NYC firm. The college environment, especially the small classes and freedom to develop his own interests, gave him so many opportunities to grow socially and academically. He is almost unrecognizable as the shy, insecure 18 year old he was at his high school.

My point is that kids don't all mature at the same rate. This kid was a late bloomer, and there are so many like him. College is for this type of student as well as for the high school high achievers. I'm thankful his parents encouraged him instead of writing him off.
[/quote]

My son was a below average high school student. He enlisted in the military and grew up some. Now 27, he just graduated from a small Presbyterian college in the south, Maryville College, with high honors and is going on to graduate school in  agriculture. They have a wonderful environment where students are challenged and mentored by professors. We probably couldn't have afforded to send him to such a school but they have a "yellow ribbon program" which picks up whatever the GI Bill doesn't cover. Be aware that less than 20 percent of military enlistees are involved in combat operations. Our son worked on an airfield and never picked up a gun after training. This is the norm and enlistees are allowed to choose their field of specialty. On the other hand, there is a great deal of alcohol and drug abuse in the military. Our son, happily, was more interested in fitness and getting promoted. He is still considering return to the service as a commissioned officer.[/quote]

Awesome example!  Best wishes to your son.  Sounds like he is making great choices for himself!
[/quote]

Options

	Disable HTML in this message
	Disable BB Code in this message
	Disable smilies in this message

Review message

Search Recent Topics Hottest Topics