<p>My S is a rising junior and underperforms. Without studying he can get a B in an honors chemistry class (we don't have +/-), but has, so far, not been willing to work very hard. He has always had problem solving abilities, but has not liked math or earned better than a C. He really likes science and robotics. He seems interested in engineering, but I think would do well with a strong co-op program. Is there a school for someone like him? Should we go in a different direction? His cumulative GPA is around a 3.0. I'm hoping this is the year he matures.</p>
<p>Cost constraints and state of residency are important factors in choosing a college to be affordable. There are many colleges that are not that selective that offer engineering majors, but the washout rate from engineering is fairly high at less selective colleges. SAT or ACT scores are also relevant in determining which colleges he has a chance of admission at.</p>
<p>However, not working very hard and getting only C grades in high school math are not factors in his favor with respect to majoring in engineering. While a C grade theoretically means a solid passing performance indicating sufficient preparation for the subsequent courses (e.g. calculus in college after passing the high school math courses), grade inflation may mean that it means less than what it should mean (some students with A grades in high school math get placed in remedial math courses in college after taking their colleges’ placement tests).</p>
<p>Robotics would typically be done by mechanical and electrical engineers. Strength in chemistry may indicate chemical or materials engineering. But the commitment to do the work and the math would be concerns.</p>
<p>At this point his profile doesn’t sound like a good fit for the rigors of engineering academics. But he may mature. Make sure he knows that his junior year performance is important for college admission and parent buy-in for college investment. Then (this is the hard part), sit back and see if he steps up to the plate.</p>
<p>If he’s willing to work hard he can make it - do the 5 year plan, perhaps, or stay in a community college to get out of the math/science while you keep an eye on him :). Then engineering school. Maybe SIUE / SIUC and similar (we have a bunch of people from SIUE and they’re pretty good). </p>
<p>I maintained a solid C average from HS Geometry thru Differential Equations 
and took the Directional State U path. Once in college I actually did work a lot harder as it was considerably more interesting and the stakes were much higher.</p>
<p>As it is, tho, without studying, engineering in any ABET school is not feasible, even if he can get thru math in a community college.</p>
<p>Have you taken him to see any colleges that have engineering programs? Perhaps a tour of an engineering school and hearing/seeing about all the cool stuff they do AND what the admissions requirements are, might help light a fire? Perhaps not, but it is worth a try.</p>
<p>Also has he ever been tested for learning disabilities? I had a friend whose son was a B average student who really seemed smart enough to do better. His teachers just thought he was a bit lazy and since he was a good kid the school never questioned it. His mom finally had him tested and they uncovered a problem, this was during his junior year.</p>
<p>Maybe a BS Engineering Technology degree would suit him better.</p>
<p>Rochester Institute of Technology might be a good option. </p>
<p>Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston is also an option for more of a technology program.</p>
<p>Technically-minded, really smart kids who like hands-on experience, but are not particularly strong academically, can sometimes do quite well with an engineering graphics and design (drafting ) Associates. these programs often have paid coop opportunities. hard work in that field often leads to six figure salaries</p>
<p>I think he might have a hard time getting accepted into engineering programs with those math scores. But, can’t hurt to try. You might want to look at Marquette.</p>
<p>For my son, who sounds a bit like the OP’s, we looked for schools that did not have separate entrance requirements for engineering. He started in engineering and has switched to engineering technology and management. He is going to Ohio University, but applied to James Madison, Virginia Tech ( both wait listed acceptances), and University of Maryland, Baltimore County, where he was accepted.</p>
<p>I agree with other posters who point to low math grades as a huge red flag for an engineering student. Virtually every engineering class builds on the basic principles of calculus. Especially at large public colleges (these are most likely to offer engineering programs that OP’s son could gain admission), the percentage of students who graduate with engineering degress compared to those who start as freshmen is remarkably low.</p>
<p>Having said all that, the University of Cincinnati has an outstanding co-op program. They like to brag that they developed the first co-op program in the country. Regardless, they integrate the work portions into the academic curriculum very well and their placement of students is excellent. The University of Louisville is similar to UC in many of these aspects.</p>
<p>Cincinnati and Northeastern are the leaders in co-op.</p>
<p>There are no engineering programs suitable for someone with poor work ethic, but there are many students with poor work ethic suitable for engineering if they are willing to change habits. :)</p>
<p>Take a look at Hope College. Smaller school with engineering. The job placement rate is very good and because at heart it’s an LAC it is relatively easy to try out a few things and switch into or out of engineering. The financial aid packages are very good and it most likely be a good match school for your son. Another possibility would be Michigan Tech. Also well recruited by regional companies and would be a match for your son. The only drawback is that it is in the UP…its beautiful but it is quite far away for many people. Great for the outdoorsy engineer.</p>
<p>Western New England University (formerly Western NE College) in Springfield, MA is a school that is seldom mentioned on CC. It is overall a less selective college that has a school of engineering which offers several ABET accredited majors. It’s small so students build a close relationship with faculty and he school seems to offer a lot of support.</p>
<p>The math issue is a biggie since eng’g majors have to take so much math…Cal I, II, III, Dif Eq I & II, and some other math classes (some req’ts vary by discipline).</p>
<p>I agree that he should apply to schools that won’t require acceptance into the Col of Eng’g, which is usually a much more difficult app process…and one that he might not succeed</p>
<p>much will depend on how much you’ll pay and for how many years. He’s not likely going to get accepted to the schools that give the best need based aid, and merit aid is unlikely. </p>
<p>Once he has test scores, it may be easier to make recommendations. </p>
<p>I would look at some of the mid-tier/3rd tier schools with good engineering. They’re more likely going to have more students without “super stats” so they’ll be more set up for tutoring and such to help those along with natural interest, but maybe lesser math foundations. </p>
<p>UA-Huntsville might be good. Good engineering and co-ops right in the area (Cummings Research Park). Bama also does co-ops at CRP.</p>
<p>Forgetting for a moment that he gets Cs in math classes, I think the more important thing is the fact that he does not like math. As an engineering student, I think you need to really like math in order to stay motivated and to do well. He could always improve his math performance with tutoring and the like, but if he does not like it, it will be hard for him to want to continue in an engineering major and succeed.</p>
<p>I don’t equate the OP’s characterization of her son as someone of poor work ethic. Maybe a typical classroom environment just doesn’t get him too pumped. That’s why I suggested a technical school. I know it was just the ticket for me. I wasn’t lazy. It was just really difficult for me to get overly energized about learning in a normal classroom environment. I liked very concrete, hands-on, obviously pertinent information, and wound up being an honor graduate. Everybody is an individual.</p>
<p>You may want to look into lower population states where the average student comes from a more rural high school. In those universities, many students came from high schools with no more than 2 AP classes offered and the professors and university adjust their expectations to better accommodate those students. Because those flagships are often the only “significant” school in the state, area employers have to recruit its grads, which means relatively easy access to internships and co ops even for less stellar students. They also offer a plethora of other majors should your son decide he doesn’t like engineering.</p>
<p>I am the mother of two bright kids, a young man and a young woman. A B student ( with some Cs) and a straight-A student in high school. One cared about grades and one did not. The young man will be 20 in September, and he is just now figuring out that he needs to work. It just takes some kids a bit longer.</p>