Any college suggestions for a 2.5 gpa student?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Having just gone through the process with my S, have now offered to help a friend's son. Not great grades, a few D's and probably a 2.5ish gpa. He's a senior this year, and no testing yet, so we'll start with that. </p>

<p>He's a fabulous kid, but his mom died 2 years ago after a brutal 4 year fight with cancer, and he and the rest of the family were understandably rocked by it. His dad did not go to college and is at a loss for what to do, but is supportive of him attending.</p>

<p>Is in California, so CC is an option, but when I said there may be four year colleges open to him, you would have thought I'd offered up the moon. </p>

<p>Any ideas of where to start? I know the "slackers" on CC are the 3.0 kids (mine was one), but this kid's grades are a step below that, no AP's, football was the EC until this year, worked hard all summer in construction, so he's very industrious.</p>

<p>Would appreciate some options if you know of any.</p>

2

<p>Well…:</p>

<p>ASU might work-</p>

<p>Aptitude Requirement </p>

<p>Students must meet one of the following aptitude requirements: </p>

<p>3.0 GPA in competency courses (2.5 - 2.99 considered)
Top 25% (top 26-50% considered)
ACT 22 (24 nonresidents)*
SAT Reasoning 1040 (1110 nonresidents)*
*ASU does not require the writing portion of these tests. </p>

<p>Competency Requirement </p>

<p>Admission may be granted with one deficiency in no more than two competency areas. Deficiencies in both math and laboratory science are not acceptable. Students must earn a minimum 2.0 in any subject area. Most competencies may also be met by test scores or college courses. See Detailed Competency Requirements for more information. </p>

<p>English - 4 years (composition/literature based)
Math - 4 years - Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra II and one course requiring Algebra II as a prerequisite.
Laboratory Science - 3 years total (1 year each from any of the following areas are accepted: Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, Integrated Sciences, and Physics)
Social Science - 2 years (including one year American History)
Foreign Language - 2 years (same language)
Fine Arts - 1 year </p>

<p>[U of A could be a potential similar choice]</p>

<p>This is CA specific, to explore his options: </p>

<p>[CaliforniaColleges.edu</a> - Choosing a College](<a href=“http://www.californiacolleges.edu/admissions/choosing-a-college.asp]CaliforniaColleges.edu”>http://www.californiacolleges.edu/admissions/choosing-a-college.asp)</p>

<p>Have this kid talk to his HS counselor, explain the reasons why his grades have been so awful (I’m guess his mom’s death hurt his grades some.) Have him write his college essay about this issue, and if he works his butt off senior year, he just may have a chance <em>somewhere</em> </p>

<p>Take a look at College Board’s College Matchmaker. Ask him what he wants to do in college, what activites he likes, etc. It may be wisest to start at cc and then transfer after his first or second year.</p>