Perfect candidate for an apprenticeship and becoming an Electrician or Plumber or something else he has an interest in. He will probably be much happier finding something that he excels at, that pays well, that he can build skills in. Why spend 4 more years suffering with academics that don't come naturally and risk demoralizing him? Part of the reason young men are turning to the right is because they think the left is force-fitting them into environments and lifestyle choices that feel suffocating. Now if he is passionate about a career that requires college, then yes, let that be a motivator to find a good fit college. If not, free him up from the college expectation so he can find something else. He can always go back to it later.

Iowa State (89% acceptance rate)
Arizona State (90% acceptance rate)
Cal State - Sonoma (92-94% acceptance rate)
UC Merced (91-92% acceptance rate)
Virginia Commonwealth University (93% acceptance rate)

All solid choices

Anonymous wrote:He obtained an 17 on a practice test beforehand, the same score!

Last year he managed a 3.0 gpa, this year he did not start off well but is being tutored- junior year. DS has an IEP (ADHD), so he had extra time for the exam, he just doesn’t test well.

Where do I go from here? Take another ACT course?

Go test optional and look for in-state colleges. What state do you live in?

Anonymous wrote:The suggestion that this kid should just go to the military is outrageous. Are you saying kids that aren’t naturally smart don’t warrant higher education and deserve to be cannon fodder and go serve the whims of this administration? Disgraceful.

NP - People who score below average probably don't belong in college. They are dragging down the academic level of college, and causing the need for "degree inflation" where now a graduate degree is needed to signal more preparation. This says nothing about the expense of college for the below average individual. Most countries, including the ones beloved by DCUM do not expend resources on this.

And I think that your logic about Trump's foreign policy needs some work.

Anonymous wrote:The suggestion that this kid should just go to the military is outrageous. Are you saying kids that aren’t naturally smart don’t warrant higher education and deserve to be cannon fodder and go serve the whims of this administration? Disgraceful.

Joining the military doesn’t make you cannon fodder - is it 1865?

And it doesn’t preclude you from a college education. It gives you an instant paycheck, healthcare, housing, all while gaining independence and maturity post- high school.

You earn college tuition, access to VA services (including 0% down home mortgages).

For a ? of a student, the military is a completely valid option.

Standardized tests measure processing speed and grades measure executive function. Plenty of kids can do well in college and be really poor standardized test takers. Your kid is getting decent grades, and sounds like he’s a hard worker. I would focus on your son getting the best grades he can for the rest of HS- get tutors for areas he struggles in and academic supports if needed. Plan on going test optional, there’s no reason to dump time and money into test prep when most colleges out there are don’t require test scores. Don’t overlook smaller schools and LACs, they often provide more access to faculty, along with more academic support for kids who need it. My husband is a professor at an LAC and he spends a lot of time working one on one with students who need extra help with writing, research, etc.

Anonymous wrote:We PP’s don’t know anything about the kid. Military and community college and delaying college are all options (for everyone- regardless of test score), but there are also hundreds of colleges that might provide the right environment and supports for him to thrive as a traditional college student. OP, I wish you and your son all the best- he’ll be great wherever he lands.

Tradtional 4 yr university classes are all above his academic level, even the lowest level courses. I don’t even think he would be able to be successful in college algebra. He needs academic remediation. Some community colleges have classes that can provide this.

The suggestion that this kid should just go to the military is outrageous. Are you saying kids that aren’t naturally smart don’t warrant higher education and deserve to be cannon fodder and go serve the whims of this administration? Disgraceful.

My kid had a 2.9 and a 19 on the practice ACT. He just skipped it and went test optional. His grades have always been wildly inconsistent - As and Cs, depending on whether he responded to the teacher and the material. He has ADHD and dyslexia.

He is at an in-state non-flagship school so it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg and he is thriving. He’s grown up a lot, works harder, and does fine in class.

OP - Just a thought: Was the prep class online or in person? If online, I recommend trying an in-person tutoring option. My ADHD kid totally tunes out online instruction.

Maybe he isn’t good at school and should look into a trade in an AI-proof industry instead of college.

We PP’s don’t know anything about the kid. Military and community college and delaying college are all options (for everyone- regardless of test score), but there are also hundreds of colleges that might provide the right environment and supports for him to thrive as a traditional college student. OP, I wish you and your son all the best- he’ll be great wherever he lands.

You all are so generous to suggest they pay $$$ and focus on TO schools.

I’m being honest, seriously, I don’t mean this in a nasty way. But…if my kid came back with a 17 ACT we’d be talking to the Marine Corps or Army recruiters instead of chasing college.

Give him some time to mature in life, and as a student. Paying for tuition only for him to fail classes at the college level would be a real risk. And more harmful in life than delaying higher education.

Go test optional. My kid did not take the SATs or ACTs even once. Don’t make him take them again.

Have you looked into either NOVA to guaranteed state school admissions? He might just need a year or two to mature. Not everyone is ready for a 4 year university.

Another option is the ship building academy down in Norfolk. Those grads are in high demand.

He could also enlist in the military as an option, then go to college in 4 years.