<p>There are a handful of colleges that would accept a 2.5 with decent test scores in Michigan, but I would think there are some of those in every state and ones with in-state tuition would be more attractive. I graduated with a similar GPA albeit a bit higher and a 23 on my ACT, and I got accepted to Northern Mich, Eastern Mich, Central Mich, and Ferris State (also Mich). Of those Northern is my favorite and it is also the cheapest and most likely the least selective, I don’t remember much about Ferris to be sure. My question would be whether or not he wants to go to any of those kinds of colleges. I went the CC route and transferred to Umich and am really glad I did that instead of just going straight to a low-tiered school. If he thinks he has the potential to do better than he’s been doing, that’s probably the better route for him to take. He’ll be happier in the long run if he’s at a school that can match his potential and help him reach it, if I’d gone to any of the schools I listed I don’t know if I’d have been able to meet my potential there. However, if he’s doing his best they may be a better place for him than a CC if he would be happier there. It depends on the student.</p>
<p>Is it the father who is so enthusiastic about his son going to college (“offered the moon”) or the son? </p>
<p>What is the explanation for the lackluster GPA? This boy is industrious at his construction job. If he is equally industrious at his classes, it’s surprising that he has a C+ average. Did he get the Ds because he has trouble with some subjects, or because he didn’t work hard, or because he had a tough time with his mother’s death (but was academically more successful before she got sick)? </p>
<p>College classes are harder than high school classes. If he puts the same amount of effort into college classes that he put into his high school classes, he won’t pass. While searching for colleges that are a fit, he and his family should also have in mind his plan for college success, which will have to include changes from his high school career. He might need tutoring, or better organization, or just more time studying. Spending one or two years in college and then flunking out won’t do him much good.</p>
<p>Don’t know what he is planning to major in but may I suggest Construction Management?</p>
<p>The daughter of a friend of ours is doing this and loves it. She struggled somewhat in HS but is doing well in a supportive school environment (she has tutors for the math classes, and it’s a co-op program so she gets hands-on experience that illustrates why she needs the courses she is taking. Plus the pay is good.)</p>
<p>Okay, full disclosure. The boy is my nephew, his dad is my brother…his dad would love him to go to college, but really knows nothing about the process. My nephew is a people pleaser, and would feel more comfortable staying home with his dad and helping with his little sister, but his eyes lit up when I told him there might be options for a 4 year college.</p>
<p>Mommusic, I specifically told him about construction management, as I recruit for my company at those programs. I know NAU has a program, and I may suggest that. </p>
<p>At this point, he’s saying he’s “not sure about 4 year colleges” but I don’t know if that’s fear of failure, wanting to help at home, disinterest in education, or all or none of the above.</p>
<p>I did promise my SIL that I’d help in the kids education since she knew her H wouldn’t push them.</p>
<p>CardinalFang, he’s always been an average student, but last semester had a 3.0, so he’s trying. His mom had a truly horrific time, 8 surgeries over 4 years, non-stop chemo, at the end was deaf and a paraplegic, so there’s certainly trauma there.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the insight…hopefully, I can encourage him to at least sign up for the October SAT and see what happens there.</p>
<p>Will merit aid./need-based aid be needed? And deepest sympathies to your family on the loss. :(</p>
<p>ellemenope- In answer to your question- Channel Islands and Humboldt. I am not sure what others would be willing to do the same.
CPeltz- how about looking into schools that are close enough for your nephew to come home on occasional weekends. That way he could go to a 4 yr college but still be close enough to come home and help out and be a part of his younger siblings life.</p>
<p>Here is a resource I learned from CC that may prove helpful to you, too.
[College</a> Navigator - National Center for Education Statistics](<a href=“http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/]College”>College Navigator - National Center for Education Statistics)
The school that came to my mind when you mentioned the EC in football is a private school located close to Stanford–it is small-private-My brother went there-he didn’t have a strong work ethic at the time-but wanted to avoid the draft-remember those days??? At any rate-you might consider Menlo College.
And if he takes the SAT &/or ACT–the scores might support a favorable review by some admission officers that your nephew has the ability-but family considerations hampered his studies.
G’Luck-and feel free to come back here to ask for ideas-CC is a great resource!
APOL-a Mom</p>
<p>“At this point, he’s saying he’s “not sure about 4 year colleges” but I don’t know if that’s fear of failure, wanting to help at home, disinterest in education, or all or none of the above.”</p>
<p>If that’s the case, having just come from a community college myself, I would strongly urge him to look at those for at least a year. The kind of confidence that it gave me in my ability with college level work is going to be instrumental in my success at a university, so many people think they’ll fail and it becomes a self fulfilling prophecy and smart kids end up dropping out. I graduated high school with a 2.8-- having just brought it up from a 2.5 very quickly before graduation by taking all electives. 
I left CC after 2 years with a 3.7 to go to Umich. I understand the want to go straight to a 4 year, I cried for weeks when I found out I had to go to community college, but the opportunities it granted me and the skills it has given me to take those opportunities are far worth it. I know he’s got his hopes up now but I would tread carefully here, if he’s a 2.5 student depending on the circumstances going straight to a 4 year may not be in his best interest-- it’s not for everyone. I understand he’s had a hard time and my deepest sympathies go out to all of you, but if he didn’t get the chance to develop academically because of that, you can’t just put a bandaid on it and send him off to a 4 year he isn’t prepared for. You know him better than I do of course, but I just wanted to put forth what I got from my CC experience for your consideration.</p>
<p>Another option would be California community college. One of my son’s hockey teammates is now at a community college which, I believe, recruited him for football. At any rate, he is playing football and evidently the athletic department keeps a good eye on the academic progress of its players. </p>
<p>Your nephew might be able to go to a community college, play football for two years (and study of course) then transfer. That could be a way to ease him into college while allowing him to stay home with his little sister for two years longer.</p>
<p>(on edit: I didn’t read Twisted’s post before posting mine, but s/he and I are on the same page)</p>
<p>mom60–thanks for info about Humboldt and Channel Islands.</p>
<p>cpeltz, I can’t offer any college suggestions for your dear nephew in that part of the country. But I do want to offer my sincere condolences for all your families suffered with the struggle of your sister in law. I can’t imagine how difficult that must have been for the kids in particular. If anybody deserves a break, that boy does. </p>
<p>Please keep us posted on his progress–it’s wonderful that you are there to help him get on a good path forward.</p>
<p>Humboldt? This is from their admissions page: [Humboldt</a> State University - Admissions - Apply - Subject Requirements](<a href=“http://www.humboldt.edu/admissions/apply/eligibility/subjects.html]Humboldt”>http://www.humboldt.edu/admissions/apply/eligibility/subjects.html)
Am I Eligible?
subject requirements-
requires first-time freshman applicants to complete, with a grade of C or better in each course, the following comprehensive pattern of college preparatory study totaling 15 units. A “unit” is one year of study in high school. </p>
<h1>English, 4 years.</h1>
<h1>Mathematics, 3 years: algebra, geometry, and intermediate algebra. Alternatively, you may complete 3 years of college preparatory integrated math which includes components of both algebra and geometry.</h1>
<h1>U.S. history or US history and government, 1 year + 1 year social science (world history, geography, anthropology, economics, psychology, etc).</h1>
<h1>Laboratory science, 2 years including 1 year physical science (chemistry, physics, etc.) and 1 year biological science (biology, zoology, anatomy, etc.)</h1>
<h1>Language other than English , 2 years in the same language (subject to waiver for applicants demonstrating equivalent competence).</h1>
<h1>Visual and performing arts, 1 year: art, dance, drama/theatre, or music.</h1>
<h1>Electives,</h1>
<p>cpeltz, what about UNLV ? If applicant has under a 3.0 GPA, he/she can apply with a combined SAT of 1040 (CR & MATH) or an ACT of 22 or above. </p>
<p>I see that UNLV also has Construction Management it that is something that your nephew might be interested in. There is a lot more to Las Vegas than gambling!</p>
<p>Thanks for all the suggestions and kind words. I’m meeting him for dinner tonight to talk about his options, see his transcript, etc. </p>
<p>My thought is to present him some options and get him signed up for the October SAT. Without that, it’s impossible to get any idea of the possibilities.</p>
<p>It may be that CC is where he should be, but my opinion is that he needs to get away and just take care of HIM for a change, but that’s just my opinion. What I CAN do is help him explore his options and keep those open.</p>
<p>cpeltz- there is also the option of moving to a new community and attending a CC. I know some CSU and UC communities have private dorms that cc college students can live in. I don’t know if Isla Vista is the spot for him but they do have private dorms that Santa Barbara City College students can live in. It is a drive from IV to SBCC but there is bus service or if he has a car. Also near Cal Poly SLO are a couple of private dorms and Cuesta College is just down the Hwy. Though Cuesta is a small CC.
I think there are even a few CC in Northern Ca that have a small amount of dorms.</p>
<p>cpeltz, I am so sorry. You are a good Aunt.</p>
<p>Is your nephew in grief counseling? Is the family? That feeling of obligation towards a parent and sibling can be very powerful. I’m not saying it’s right or wrong, just that he needs to deal with that before he heads off somewhere. And, of course, just support in general for his loss.</p>
<p>One thing to note: If he does end up going to CC, some of the CCs are getting to the point of cutting off enrollment after a certain number of students are reached. So he should apply earlier rather than later if CC will be for him. The days of trying to enroll the week before classes start are over.</p>
<p>pugmadkate, nope, no grief counseling for any of them, much to my dismay. Even while my beloved SIL was ill, I tried, gave them numbers, websites, etc. She finally spent some time with the Wellness Community which helped, but there has been no move to grief counseling.</p>
<p>I’ll know more after our dinner tonight, I just pray he stays open to all the possibilities offered to him.</p>
<p>Your story really touched me. Your nephew sounds like a nice kid. I hope things break his way.</p>
<p>What about Cal State Monterey? Since it’s a newish campus, they could be easier to get into, a bit like UCMerced.</p>