<p>ACT 31 lower half of high school class 2.95 GPA</p>
<p>I am trying to line up our "Midwestern College Search during spring break"
for my high school junior son.</p>
<p>I am thinking small liberal arts college with an arts program - close to home (chicago suburb) wth small
classes...he is thinking Artsy urban school.......arts only</p>
<p>super bright kid,does not do homework, aces most tests, on meds, very unorganized, impulsive, has won awards for debating,mock trial, photography,
not into sports..........absorbs info like a sponge....</p>
<p>if you have experience with a kid like this....please let me know what you have learned about what might work for college..thank you...</p>
<p>Are finances an issue? Do you feel you should insist on a school that has "conventional" courses as well as art classes, or are you willing/think he is talented enough to go the straight arts route?</p>
<p>With that mismatch of test scores and GPA, one option if he wants a more typical liberal arts education, would be community college or local 4 year school, and get that GPA up more in line with his ACT - especially if finances are an issue. If he is truly "artsy", then it won't matter, in fact he's better off working on a portfolio. </p>
<p>If finances aren't in question, then he might have several reachy choices (someone else will have to help with this, I'm not up on Chicago suburbs), keeping the year of CC as a safety option. Could he take a combo of classes at the Art Institute and a CC? That might be a novel way to combine his desire for urban with art AND an opportunity to improve his academic record, AND assure you he is ready for college.</p>
<p>This is a big problem that many very bright students with AD/HD face. Attending community college is not always the answer either because some will not stick it out when they feel their intellect is not being satisfied. </p>
<p>This is an excellent, fully accredited college program for students with AD/HD and learning disabiliites. After attending Landmark College for one to two years, the students transfer to four-year institutions to finish out their four year degree. One (or both?) of the authors of the following book transferred to Brown University after attending Landmark College:</p>
<p>Learning Outside The Lines : Two Ivy League Students With Learning Disabilities And Adhd Give You The Tools for Academic Success and Educational Revolution, by Edward M. Hallowell (Foreword), Jonathan Mooney, and David Cole </p>
<p>It is definitely worth considering. The book is very worth reading too.</p>
<p>I am the bread winner at this time, as my husband has been struggling with cancer for 3 years....probably part of the reason my son is not working hard in school.</p>
<p>my fear with a community college is ( and we have a fabulous one 2 miles away) that he will be bored & get himself into trouble.....and I think it would be good for him to be away but close to home.....</p>
<p>He is talented in many ways, though this art/photo thing is pretty new.....
He is a superb speaker & debater.....his interest as a freshman & sophomore
in middle school he was in many plays & musicals....languages are quite easy for him too...</p>
<p>I am thinking that we need to find a small artsy liberal arts college in the midwest with plenty of structure, excellent caring teachers that will let some one with a 2.95 GPA...............Where in the world will I find a school like that????</p>
<p>Thanks, I have heard good things about that book...I will get it</p>
<p>I have read great things about Landmark, but money is a big issue.....dad is real ill.................we will qualify for financial aid....wish he had the grades...
it is a shame....</p>
<p>We are visiting The Art Institute & Columbia (Chicago) during spring break.....
he loves the idea of Columbia & living in Chicago....we'll see....maybe it will be a possibility......</p>
<p>I went to a fabulous Art college in Boston .. had a great time..learned alot about life.....but did not come out with the ability to make a good living......my son is so much brighter than i am....I would love to see him use his critical thinking & excellent debating skills....but I guess it is not my choice...</p>
<p>I just want to provide him with all of the options......</p>
<p>Other colleges to check out on the Internet might be: Lawrence, St. Olaf, Beloit, Rhodes.</p>
<p>Most small liberal arts college have a hard time attracting male students. A 2.95 is not a bad average, and he should have no trouble getting into a number of midwest LACs.</p>
<p>thank you.....those are all schools that I read about in the Pope book "Colleges that change Lives." I would love for my son to go to one of those schools!!!!!! You have given me some hope.....to at least go for a visit to a few of them.</p>
<p>Well, the midwestern LACs are becoming more selective, and while a lot of excellent suggestions have been made, I think a lot of them are reaches for the OP's son. I would include Rhodes, St. Olaf and Lawrence in that category. Not that they aren't worth looking at, but you will need match and "sure bet" schools too. I think Beloit and Earlham (IN) might be matches and Knox and Lake Forest would be worth looking at too. While not as "artsy" in feel as the first two, Knox does have good studio art facilities, a supportive environment, and very friendly admissions personnel.</p>
<p>Since he really likes art, then my advice would be to put him into an art school that's close to home. The disparity between his grades and scores indicates he's excellent at doing what he's very interested in, but doesn't do things he lacks interest in. Consequently, my advice is for you to allow him to follow his interests by going to art school.</p>
<p>Not very brilliant person wants or needs college. There also are many very bright people who refuse to do college work, so flunk, but can excel if given the opportunity to pursue the activities that they're interested in.</p>
<p>A student who's impulsive and doesn't do homework and who probably is doing as well as he is because his parents are leaning on him to work up to his academic potential (I'm saying this as the parent of 2 very bright, high score, mediocre gpa boys) isn't likely to do very well at a LAC or other college that he decides to attend only because his parents won't let him go to art school. What's missing is motivation, not brains or not finding the right college.</p>
<p>The "right college" for him probably is one that would allow him to pursue only his art interests, and I don't think that college exists except as characterized by art schools.</p>
<p>Look into Depaul which is urban and has good reputation, they have priority date for merit aid Nov 1 so if you decide apply early. Illinois Wesleyan offering 10 K merit scholaship automatically if your ACT 28 or higher. Lake Forest and Knox are known ro be very generous with their merit aid. North Central College in Naperville has many great programs worth looking into and great packaging.</p>
<p>Check out Blackburn College in Carlinville, IL. It's only around a 3-4 hour drive, and it has a terrific Art Department. Low cost for a private, and because he has ADHD, its size will help with one-on-one support.</p>
<p>i just had a conversation with my son wanting to talk to him about a few interesting lacs , he will consider looking at the lacs in the summer but during spring break he would like to visit Columbia & the art institute only.......he does not want to interrupt his spring break with more than one day of college touring....he also said that he would be happy to go by himself for the tour if i am not happy with these choices... he also thinks he probably should finance the tuition & room & board himself & get help from me for books and daily expenses......he feels if he is paying he will be more responsible.</p>
<p>he also informed me that he does not want to know his teachers, he wants to be judged only on his work..........he wants to live in the city...and meet all kinds of new & fascinating people...........</p>
<p>what a nutball.....I have to laugh.............</p>
<p>maybe art school is the way to go........</p>
<p>thanks for the timely response...........</p>
<p>......though I would like to visit all kinds of colleges....oh well................</p>
<p>Just a thought that he may be a kid who could use a year off. Sounds like he has had it tough for a while with his Dad - lots of stress and emotions impacting his academics, I imagine. Maybe he could do something like Americorps - would that interest him? Or, maybe just being around to help his father and family would be helpful for him. How ill is his father - would this be the best use of his time, with a job of interest??? How will he feel to leave his father now?</p>