Anonymous
Post 01/22/2026 21:24     Subject: Where can a C student go?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:My husband is very smart, but was not into school in his teens. [...He enlisted...] He is also the kind of guy who likes to work with his hands and build things. He did electronics and electrical work in the military and started an associates degree while still enlisted. That eventually led to a gov’t contract field and a bachelors in electrical engineering.


Neighbor's son similar. He enlisted in USAF and negotiated with the recruiter an agreement that they would train him to be an Aviation Mechanic. He did well in the training and did well in the USAF as an aircraft mechanic. While in, he got an AS degree. He also was careful to get all the FAA Certificates to be an Aircraft Mechanic. Got out, then made good money as an Aircraft Mechanic for a major airline. Got a 4-year degree part time while working, and leveraging his prior AS degree, then moved into management at the airline.

Has done very very well in life. He just needed a little more time to mature b

(Note: with recruiters, do not sign anything without reading the whole thing and be sure the training one wants is explicitly and clearly written down in the contract. Recruiters often initially say they can't guarantee training, but they will write it into the contract when their quota is low at the end of the quarter. So hold out to get what you want. Electronics Technician also is a good career via the military. )


That’s great! It does work for the right kind of person. I am pretty sure it was electronics tech that was my husband’s military field - it was the late 90s, so that part is not as clear for me He was at Andrews working on communications equipment for AF1 when we met.

I personally have reservations about the military at this moment in time, but that is for each individual to decide. We got crazy lucky that my husband never got called to Afghanistan or Iraq AND that he was able to leave RIGHT before stop loss.

To the OP - As other posters have said, you may just be throwing money away (as we unfortunately did) by trying to send a child uninterested in school away. Let him work for a couple years and get some core classes out of the way. Figure out what he actually wants to do. Heck, he may even work someplace willing to help with some tuition costs.
Anonymous
Post 01/22/2026 19:45     Subject: Where can a C student go?
Anonymous wrote:My husband is very smart, but was not into school in his teens. [...He enlisted...] He is also the kind of guy who likes to work with his hands and build things. He did electronics and electrical work in the military and started an associates degree while still enlisted. That eventually led to a gov’t contract field and a bachelors in electrical engineering.


Neighbor's son similar. He enlisted in USAF and negotiated with the recruiter an agreement that they would train him to be an Aviation Mechanic. He did well in the training and did well in the USAF as an aircraft mechanic. While in, he got an AS degree. He also was careful to get all the FAA Certificates to be an Aircraft Mechanic. Got out, then made good money as an Aircraft Mechanic for a major airline. Got a 4-year degree part time while working, and leveraging his prior AS degree, then moved into management at the airline.

Has done very very well in life. He just needed a little more time to mature b

(Note: with recruiters, do not sign anything without reading the whole thing and be sure the training one wants is explicitly and clearly written down in the contract. Recruiters often initially say they can't guarantee training, but they will write it into the contract when their quota is low at the end of the quarter. So hold out to get what you want. Electronics Technician also is a good career via the military. )
Anonymous
Post 01/22/2026 19:41     Subject: Where can a C student go?
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. My best friend’s DS was like yours— very uninterested in college. He went to community college, found his area of interest and transferred to state flagship. Went to a top law school. Partner at big law now.

Anonymous
Post 01/22/2026 19:26     Subject: Where can a C student go?
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.


+1

Why pay for a 4 year school until he is motivated to do the work. Let him continue to work and attend college PT at a Community college. Then once he is motivated and has a path, transfer.
But I personally wouldn't spend a ton on college until the kid is motivated. It rarely works out well if they are not.

Anonymous
Post 01/22/2026 19:25     Subject: Where can a C student go?
I was one of the people saying community college and work on page one. My older child was a high stats kid, but because of her ADHD, has poor executive function and is socially immature. We really tried to get her to do a gap year but she wouldn’t do it. She is a junior at a pretty selective college and doing well, but still wish she took the gap year. She is slowly maturing but still behind her peer group in terms of adulting and motivation. I think she is going to need some type of bridge year after graduation, something like Americorps or the military. Some kids just need more time to figure themselves out.
Anonymous
Post 01/22/2026 19:24     Subject: Where can a C student go?
Anonymous wrote:I have one. C student, 11th, taking some AP classes (math and science mostly) and just honors for the others. C is unweighted; I guess it could get up to a B after weighting and maybe by the end of the year. He has only two extra curriculars, but they are strong. PSAT was around 1350. I know VA Tech and UVa and the like are not in the cards, but what state schools or somewhat affordable privates might he get into? STEM major, but not sure what exactly.



Serious question, why is a kid who is getting Cs taking AP subjects? To have a 2-2.5 UW GPA means mostly Cs and a few Bs. IMO, if you are not getting A/A-/B+ you don't belong in honors or AP courses, they are too hard and you are not learning at your level.

And with a 1350 PSAT, it does indicate your kid is capable of "more" than a C average. So I'd be investigating why? Doe they have ADHD/anxiety/etc? Do they just not care/unmotivated?

Either way, you have to resolve those last 2 issues before you head off to college. Because while kids with a 2.5 in HS can get thru college, it most often will be a struggle until you get them better study skills/help with ADHD/Exec Functioning. So I'd focus on therapy for that, EF training and figuring out what your kid wants to do.
Anonymous
Post 01/22/2026 18:31     Subject: Where can a C student go?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I posted earlier about my daughter flunking out of a 4 year when she really should have probably gone the community college route to begin with.

My husband is very smart, but was not into school in his teens. He was very good at a sport, but then had a career ending injury. He wound up taking up his time afterward by getting involved in things he shouldn’t have/running with a bad crowd. He had it together enough to know he needed stability and some skills and enlisted. He is also the kind of guy who likes to work with his hands and build things. He did electronics and electrical work in the military and started an associates degree while still enlisted. That eventually led to a gov’t contract field and a bachelors in electrical engineering (hello, my friends on here who know me).

So, that is definitely a path for the right kid. I still vote for working and Community college, but I did want to provide a good example of someone who took the military path to an eventual degree and career

+1 Unfortunately my "borderline" student is out after one semester. Oh well, its just $18,000 lost. Onto the next phase of life.


Yeah, we gave our daughter one last chance. She promised and promised and promised.

We had used the money from the 529 account my parents set up with some money my grandpa left with instructions to put aside for his great granddaughter. Sorry, grandpa

It was a rather expensive vacation for 2 semesters ;p
Anonymous
Post 01/22/2026 17:11     Subject: Where can a C student go?
Anonymous wrote:I posted earlier about my daughter flunking out of a 4 year when she really should have probably gone the community college route to begin with.

My husband is very smart, but was not into school in his teens. He was very good at a sport, but then had a career ending injury. He wound up taking up his time afterward by getting involved in things he shouldn’t have/running with a bad crowd. He had it together enough to know he needed stability and some skills and enlisted. He is also the kind of guy who likes to work with his hands and build things. He did electronics and electrical work in the military and started an associates degree while still enlisted. That eventually led to a gov’t contract field and a bachelors in electrical engineering (hello, my friends on here who know me).

So, that is definitely a path for the right kid. I still vote for working and Community college, but I did want to provide a good example of someone who took the military path to an eventual degree and career

+1 Unfortunately my "borderline" student is out after one semester. Oh well, its just $18,000 lost. Onto the next phase of life.
Anonymous
Post 01/22/2026 16:53     Subject: Where can a C student go?
To work...
Anonymous
Post 01/21/2026 20:55     Subject: Where can a C student go?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Some of the suggestions here are bizarre. Next, someone will recommend he join us ICE for the generous signing bonus!


The military and trade school suggestions are spot on.

Bizarre suggestions include the 70K-90K out of state schools and private librral arts college for a C student not really interested in school who is really hooked on video games.

Military enlistment, trade schools, communuty college, police academy, firefighting, welding, are all really honorable and practical options for a kid like this.

Just don't do a gap year. He won't likely come back from that.


Totally agree! One of my son's friends from high school decided he didn't have any interest in college and instead went into the military. He is now a firefighter and loves it. I always admired his choice since the rest of their friend group went to 4 yr. colleges. He was confident enough in himself to follow his own path.
Anonymous
Post 01/21/2026 20:53     Subject: Where can a C student go?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote: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.


OP here - I don't want to share for privacy reasons, but it's not something that could be a career. Think like fast food or some typical teenage job. He just likes that he has friends there and he's been there a long time. The work itself is boring. He does not like the outdoors. He has never liked any subject at school, and his main interests are a sport he does fairly well and could do in college depending on where he goes (it might even help his application) and cars. But he does not want to be a mechanic.


DP. You've stated several times that he hates school - so why are you trying to find a college for him? I agree with others that if anything, CC might be a great place to start. If he does well, he can transfer to a four-year school and if he doesn't, he can continue working or join the military, etc. Not everyone has to go to college!
Anonymous
Post 01/21/2026 20:21     Subject: Where can a C student go?
I posted earlier about my daughter flunking out of a 4 year when she really should have probably gone the community college route to begin with.

My husband is very smart, but was not into school in his teens. He was very good at a sport, but then had a career ending injury. He wound up taking up his time afterward by getting involved in things he shouldn’t have/running with a bad crowd. He had it together enough to know he needed stability and some skills and enlisted. He is also the kind of guy who likes to work with his hands and build things. He did electronics and electrical work in the military and started an associates degree while still enlisted. That eventually led to a gov’t contract field and a bachelors in electrical engineering (hello, my friends on here who know me).

So, that is definitely a path for the right kid. I still vote for working and Community college, but I did want to provide a good example of someone who took the military path to an eventual degree and career
Anonymous
Post 01/21/2026 16:57     Subject: Where can a C student go?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote: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.


OP here - I don't want to share for privacy reasons, but it's not something that could be a career. Think like fast food or some typical teenage job. He just likes that he has friends there and he's been there a long time. The work itself is boring. He does not like the outdoors. He has never liked any subject at school, and his main interests are a sport he does fairly well and could do in college depending on where he goes (it might even help his application) and cars. But he does not want to be a mechanic.


If he is really good at his sport - that could help with getting into a college?

Could it also be that his classes aren't taught in an engaging way? I have one child that is easily bored but recently we have started looking into private schools and after doing a shadow day, they were so impressed with how much more engaged and interesting science class was at the private school. Made me sad about their public school experience
Anonymous
Post 01/21/2026 16:42     Subject: Where can a C student go?
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.


Drop the AP classes. He won’t need them with his GPA he will be applying to universities where students don’t typically take AP. There are too many schools to list that would work for your son if he is willing to put in the work.
Anonymous
Post 01/21/2026 16:39     Subject: Where can a C student go?
Don't let the DC area snobbery embarrass you into pushing your kid into a university just because you are embarrassed to tell your adult friends that your kid is at trades school or community college