<p>Hi - I need help in finding schools to look at for my son, a computer tech savvy kid starting his senior year in high school. He's a solid 89 student, taking (2) AP's Computer Science & English, he's in a variety of clubs, involved in the theater program at school; head of sound engineering for almost everything and anyone.
He scored a 26 on his last ACT and been on the Varsity golf team since 8th grade. </p>
<p>He's ADHD, tries very hard to manage his deficit, lacks confidence and is not a great test taker. I personally think he should work after graduation but, he says different and would like the opportunity to experience college. </p>
<p>I just don't know what path to guide or direct him; gap year, I believe he will not go back. Apply to college & defer enrollment? </p>
<p>Are there really good tech schools that would take him Northeast
of New York City say 2 - 4 hours? I welcome any advice or suggestions.
Thanks, Maggie</p>
<p>My instincts tell me that your instincts are correct, that he would benefit from working first. Actually, if you want my real, no-holds-barred advice:</p>
<p>Charge him for rent and food once he turns 18. Or at least put it all on a tab and shove it in his face from time to time. The whole point is to make him think about what it means to earn a living and support yourself.</p>
<p>My first attempt at college I burned out, I wasn’t mature enough, and wound up being put on academic suspension for failing grades in all of my classes. In a way it’s a good thing, because I wouldn’t have had the experience of living paycheck to paycheck under a roof of my own eating food I paid for myself, all without an education. IT STINKS! Not only did it mature me like crazy, but it made me go back to college and take it seriously.</p>
<p>I get the impression that if your son went straight to college now he wouldn’t do the best he could. I don’t think he’d have quite my experience of failing out of college, but he may not bring his best.</p>
<p>Or, maybe you could compromise. Make him work full-time but let him take some classes part-time, maybe at a local community college. He could knock out English and some other GECs that way.</p>