<p>I was thinking of local CC’s, rather than those in other locations where there would be an ‘away’ experience. Thanks for the information. I will check out these possibilities.</p>
<p>What is most important to me is that my S have the choice to take a variety of courses and not be limited to a pre-determined schedule with just one elective. Our tour guide at SUNY Oneonta several years ago informed us that this was standard practice and I’ve been generalizing this information, probably unjustly, to all SUNYs. Obviously, I need to do more research.</p>
<p>I think a case of having less than a 3.0 GPA means in most cases that someone doesn’t have the academic capability of going to college right now. I think for most people with those grades, they should perhaps take some time off or go to community college first to build up their skills.</p>
<p>At most schools, including community colleges, a student’s choice of courses does depend on his/her intended or possible major(s). Some majors have more required courses than others, or longer sequences of prerequisites that must be started early to avoid delaying graduation (or transfer from a community college to a four year school). However, delayed transfer from a community college is typically less expensive than extra semesters or years at a four year school.</p>
<p>Do you really think a person with a GPA below 3 is going to be accepted into a prestigious school? We’re not here to give the OP advice on raising GPA…</p>
<p>I disagree with the statement that a person with a GPA below 3.0 does not have the academic ability to be in college. For many, this is a low B or a B- average. Really not such a disastrous average. And this could mean a mixture of some As, Bs, and Cs, with a student doing well in certain subjects and maybe poorly in one weak area. I understand how this GPA looks to the previous student poster who has higher stats. But I am a parent of both a high stats kid, and one like the OP’s, and while they certainly are not appropriate for the same schools, I absolutely would not say he is academically not capable of college right now. If he wants to go to college, there are colleges out there for him that are perfectly respectable and capable of educating a B or B- student.</p>
<p>^^^yes,yes,yes. S2 has become so much more academically diligent in college than he was in h.s.
He still makes mostly B’s but last time I checked a “B” was rated as above average.</p>
<p>So do I. But unless that person with the academic ability to be in college changes the behavior that resulted in the sub-3.0 GPA, he or she is unlikely to succeed. Yes, there are sub-3.0 kids who change and thrive at college; I know some. But there are many who don’t - witness the below-50% 6-year graduation rate from less-selective colleges. (Yes, I know there are reasons other than academics that some kids never finish.) I would be very leery about spending a lot of money sending an underachieving kid away to college on the hope and chance s/he will turn it around. </p>
<p>I’ve already informed DS14 that unless he turns it around next year, if he wants to go to college, there’s a community college in his future.</p>
<p>I think that often things change in college because they can finally study what they are interested in. And frankly, I don’t even think a B- average in college is a disaster. I would hope for better, but really, you might think I’m crazy, but I don’t think its terrible…</p>
<p>For a parent who has the financial ability to roll the dice on a chancy kid without incurring debt or major sacrifice, God bless 'em and more power to 'em!</p>
<p>But in our case, we’re not in that happy position; and while we’re willing to do without things to help our kids succeed, I don’t think it’s unreasonable to ask the kid to show that he’s willing to do his part.</p>
<p>I agree. I guess I’m thinking that not everyone has the same intellectual abilities, just as not everyone has the same athletic, artistic, or anything else abilities. I don’t begrudge my child a college education because he doesn’t come with the same strengths. He has his own strengths. </p>
<p>Meanwhile, we are pursuing cheaper options for him.</p>
<p>I’m with GCMom. I think our children are worth a chance. If my S can get into a four year college, I’m going to send him. Finding the right school is key: a place where a student who is not overly driven can receive support and nurturing to thrive and develop into a curious, well rounded and educated individual. </p>
<p>On the other hand, I can also see that making it clear to the student that s/he must work hard in college to keep up his/her end of the deal is essential. If the grades continue to be mediocre or terrible, or if the student flunks out, we as parents have the right to withdraw the financial support for college.</p>
<p>I am gladly willing to incur debt for my over-achieving, first born D. I am also willing to do so for my less hard working S, if college works for him. If it does not, then he’ll find another path. But I’m more than willing to at least give him that chance.</p>
<p>In terms of ‘chancy’… I graduated with a not-so-respectable HS GPA which would be about a US 2.5… Seriously math impaired (why take math when literature and humanities courses are so much more fun? ‘Elbonian Literature for 200 Grubnicks, Alex’). To this day, my HS transcript (officially translated) is a family conversation piece. </p>
<p>Good thing a 40% grade is ‘Pass’ for Latin :)</p>
<p>Another agreement w/ GCmom’s statement that a B- in college is considered respectable…my S1 who is in a very tough college program where most of the students were A students in high school, is in a situation where the curve is set so that the average grade in a class is a low B…that means that about half the students are getting less than a B in the class…Also, so w/ you that our kids deserve a college education and experience even though they might not be the strongest students, or excel in every area…</p>
<p>Been lurking on this site w/ a S2 w/ a gpa currently between a 2.5 and 2.7. Frustrating for sure, but no less worthy of pursuing a college education than his A student brother. There are LDs involved, and trying to help him figure out how to do the best he can do so that by the time he gets to college (2014) he’ll hopefully have things under control. I do believe that he’s working so hard in a competitive high school, that wherever he ends up, he should have the skills to perform in college (which should be a less competitive environment given where he’s more likely to get in).</p>
<p>Our older D worked her butt off in college (taking 10 AP Honor classes - 5 of them her senior year, devoting so many hours and hours of homework on weekends, passing most AP tests with 5’s and few 4’s.) She challenged herself, and was accepted nearly everywhere she applied. She chose a very expensive, academically challenging private & and is loving every minute. She got partial merit scholarship, but we are supportig her nearly 100%(she does have ap/t job) and plotting our debt plan. All of this was achieved by her self-motivation.</p>
<p>I think with lower achieving students - it absolutely depends upon the circumstance of each situation and the attitude of the kid. To say that lower than 3.0 doesing have the “academic ability” is not a statement that was well thought out. Our situation is incidental to us, but my S is very smart. He scores at the top of all state tests. Sometimes I think he’s too smart… He “stays inside his head” analyzing and mulling. He is more emotionally driven sometimes - and made short-sited decisions more out of immaturity than anything else. (like not handing in homework he already completed because “it doesn’t matter” or “he doesn’t care” or he “didn’t liike” the teacher. He’d get blue and just not give a rip. I love his sensitivity…He’s a very caring human being.</p>
<p>We really talked with him about his actions and what his options after high school would be. I don’t think parents can propel a kid into college and “helicopter parent” success. The student has to want it and decide to make it (e.g. a 4-year college) a goal. If the student isn’t all in, then they need to figure out what they might want to do (gap year, full-time job, local cc, trade school, military service, etc…) </p>
<p>We are willing to give our S a chance at the 4-year he chose and worked to get into (I’d never even heard of it.) I’ve learned boys are somewhat slower to mature on a general level. I have faith he will be successful, and we are excited to support him. But if he reverts to the careless behaviour and lack of effort he previously displayed … well, he knows the consequences. (We aren’t paying for him to skp class, party and/or not achieve passing grades.) </p>
<p>There are many, many 4-year colleges that will take 2.5 + students. A degree from an accredited U is an achievement and provides educationed growth that will benefit anyonoe who wants it in far too many ways to list. But there are other good life choices that lead to happy fulfilled lives. It depends what each person wants for themselves…</p>