<p>Do any of you have suggestions for a student who still needs a college for this fall? He gambled and spent too long slogging away at one of the nation's top schools and did very poorly. This was not the result of playing, but lack of preparation, poor decision-making, and non-existent advising. He applied to only a couple of schools for transfer (another poor decision), and those seem to have very inflexible rules about GPA. So--he needs a school that will still consider his stellar high school career, SATs, etc.--all the things that got him into this school in the first place--and also consider the difficulty of the school he has left. I might add that he has taken individual courses at other schools at various times and made As. Suggestions, anyone?</p>
<p>This site lists colleges that still have openings for transfers:
<a href="http://www.nacac.com/survey/results.cfm%5B/url%5D">http://www.nacac.com/survey/results.cfm</a></p>
<p>Also, check the requirements for part-time enrollment at the local universities. That had been my son's plan originally when he left his first college - he was going to enroll at a local UC campus via their extension, and simply attend school part time and work part time - that would have eliminated the need to be accepted as a "transfer" but also given him the opportunity to bring up grades, plus get a sense of whether he wanted to apply to transfer into that campus. He ended up deciding to accept a full-time job offer instead that left no time for school - for him, a better choice at the time, as he was still unfocused as a student and likely to have repeated the same mistakes -- but the part-time enrollment plan would have been easy to accomplish. Just pay the money and show up. I also found out at the time that part-time students were eligible for student health insurance -- there probably would have been a premium to pay, but that was another concern I had with a 20-year-old who was no longer a full time student.</p>
<p>Is he expelled or is there an option of staying at his current school with more help?</p>
<p>Without knowing his academic and career interests I can't make an individual-school suggestion, but I would think that small liberal arts colleges would be more willing to look at an individual case. Several good ones still accepting transfers include Lewis & Clark, Willamette, Knox, Goucher and St. Lawrence University. In your area, Southwestern is still taking transfers but I know little about the school.</p>
<p>I suspect that large unis have some pretty rigid rules about transfer GPA, but pending those rules and again, your S's academic interests, it might be worth checking out Pitt, U of Iowa and Marquette. These three schools have some first-rate departments.</p>
<p>Berry College in Rome, GA, is a gorgeous campus, with a fairly "easy" application process. Their website says they are ranked #2 for undergraduate comprehensive colleges in the south. They accept applications up to 30 days prior to the start of the term. We know many people who have gone there and loved it. They do ask for a certain GPA from college -- I don't know if your student has it, or even what your S's interests are. </p>
<p>But I also know the admissions department is approachable. I suggest you contact them and find out if they would take extenuating circumstances into consideration. From their website:</p>
<p>To qualify for admission to Berry, a transfer student must:
be eligible to return to the college or university last attended,
have earned a grade-point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale at the last college or university attended, and
have an overall grade-point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale,
have a completed Dean of Students form on file for each institution previously attended. </p>
<p>AnonTx, What year is your son? How long ago was highschool?</p>
<p>All of Reidm's schools are great schools. I know something about Southwestern and can vouch for it as a great school, also. I'd start there. I have studied that NACAC site and found several schools that I would like to attend as first choices. Stay calm and go through the lists. Something will come through for him. I'd certainly make sure he was fully invested in the process.Good luck.</p>
<p>Of the schools on the list -I like the looks of Albertson, Hendrix, Illinois College, Knox, McDaniel, Carroll, Lenoir-Rhyne, Heidelberg, Hiram, Maryville, Susquehanna and there are more! Somebody will want him. I'd do a personalized but blanket e-mail, today if possible, and just have him ask if the school would be willing to talk to him under these conditions. Set them out succinctly and accurately without fluff or excuse. The smaller the school, the more willing I believe they will be to talk.</p>
<p>My best bets? Albertson, Hiram, Maryville. (Add Westminster College in Missouri to your e-mail list, mainly because I really like the school, don't know their transfer policy.)</p>
<p>Oh, one more thing. Very important. He'll be the one asking these schools to make an exception. No school's written policy on transfers will accept a failing student, no matter how smart or how good the UG he's leaving . The person who answers the phone won't be able to make that exception. Remember, my favorite adage, "Never take a 'No' from someone who can't say 'yes'." Have him get to the person who can make it happen. Time to grow up. That's what I mean by fully invested. You can't fix this but he can. JMO.</p>
<p>Curmudgeon--you're so right. I've been coaching him on that very thing. That was a big part of his problem, I think. He is an introverted math/science sort, who finds it difficult to "network," ask for help, etc., all skills that are necessary for college success. He was spoiled at home, I guess, with people who knew his capabilities and would take the trouble to drag things out of him. He went to school #1 for 2 1/2 years. We've left this process to him and will continue to do so, but we can't help but try to coach from the sidelines. As you might imagine, this whole experience has not been especially good for his psyche. Thanks so much for the suggestions. I've sent him the website and suggested he apply to all right away, calling first to confirm that they will consider his application. The email is a good idea, because he would have the opportunity to compose something. If anyone has experience with advising such a student, please let me know. Thanks again, parents!</p>
<p>Anon- what are his academic/possible career interests? Was his academic issues in problem-set/test type classes, or note-taking, paper-writing classes?</p>
<p>Since Reid and Cur mentioned Southwestern in Texas, I'll put my vote in for it as well- excellent school, very good academics, strong science programs, especially in biology.. Couldn't go wrong there.</p>
<p>I think Southwestern is an excellent suggestion--one which we hadn't considered. We know someone who has some connections there, and that couldn't hurt...In answer to Blossom's question, his problem was with problem set/test type courses. He did OK on prob sets (after working for hours and hours) but the tests stumped him. I think the quality of teaching was pretty awful in some cases, which makes me think an LAC with undergrad emphasis (like Southwestern) may be better for him. Any suggestions for helping him "get back on the horse?" Or other suggestions for convincing colleges to give him a chance?</p>
<p>Anon, I think it boils down to </p>
<p>1) Find someone willing to talk to him
2) and convince them he'll do what it takes to succeed. (The story of Booker T. Washington's "interview" at college comes to mind, doesn't it?)</p>
<p>AnonTXmom - I guess I have to play devils advocate here - but I have questions/concerns about your DS's transferring - you say he has slogged thru 2 1/2 years already - you describe him as having made poor decisions - poor prep - and non-existent advising - ending up with a poor GPA. Is he being told he has to leave this school??? I guess I would wonder about his effort level in all of the above - and maybe he has less than needed social skills to be able to manage what he needs to do in the 'big picture' of college in general. Since you haven't given specific info about his GPA and such - maybe he needs to really consider heading to a community college to help fix the GPA and then look at transferring - maybe he needs to mature a bit??? </p>
<p>I don't mean to sound condisending or rude - just wondering about his ability to seek out the help/assistance that he seems to need - and maybe needs to consider a completely different direction. If he is looking to transfer - low grades/GPA will be a big problem for him - and if he is lucky to find a school to accept him - many of those courses will not transfer for credit also. Is it time to regroup?? maybe??</p>
<p>What time of course load has he been taking?? and in what direction also? Is he classified as a junior yet?? Is he at a large university?? THere are sooooo many factors that can effect a students success or difficulties in college.</p>
<p>Curmugeon--we're trying to do those things now, but don't know what our odds of success are. Don't know the speech, but I'll look it up. Thanks!</p>
<p>Jeep--I don't think you're rude! I appreciate your taking the time to ask questions. Forgive me for not answering sooner--I've been out of town and was having trouble connecting. </p>
<p>You hit the nail on the head. He has been asked to leave, having refused to do so when we suggested it earlier. He is not yet classified as a junior, in answer to your question. He is terrible at asking for help, and yes we are concerned that he is not ready to try again, but I am hoping that at a different type of school (less pressure, more nurturing environment) he will bloom as he did in high school. This has taken quite an emotional toll, and I think he may need to "get back on the horse" as I mentioned earlier. He's been out of school several months, has been working, and is REALLY wanting to get in somewhere in the fall. He has just been turned down at the larger state schools he applied to, which is why we are still looking now.</p>
<p>I might add that the school he left is one of the nation's top tech schools, and that he was accepted at ALL of them. He has taken 30 hrs. or so at local colleges at various times and made all As. Pressure has had a terrible effect on him, I'm afraid. If you think a "different direction" is warranted, do you have any suggestions as to what that might be? For someone who has never considered another path than college/grad school, this is quite a blow. I can't help but think there must be a place for a brilliant, wonderful person who just couldn't make it at a top school. Ideas?</p>
<p>Do you think your S might be better off at home taking classes nearby or even taking a semester off to re-group? It might give him time to decide what academic direction he wishes to take.</p>
<p>D's friend is at UF and having a very difficult time keeping his head above water in their Electrical Engineering program. Another friend is leaving Georgia Tech for the same reason. Both kids are taking a semester off to assess whether their career goals match up with their academic strengths and weaknesses.</p>
<p>I like the idea of his stepping down a few notches, being able to be successful, and rethinking.
If your S is at a top tech school now, he could certainly handle a state school. I think it can be a difficult adjustment to go from being one of the top in HS to being average at a top school. Sometimes a person can lose their confidence and the downhill sloop begins. good luck</p>
<p>Anontxmom, I know how upsetting it is to watch your kids confidence plummet.</p>
<p>I want to encourage you to help your son give some thought to the non-academic factors required to be successful at college. I know you think a less intense school will be the solution... and maybe it will... but in a lot of ways, its the non-academics that are a stumbling block for kids, and being at a smaller school doesn't neccessarily address those issues.</p>
<p>It's not just asking for help.... it's being open to join a study group, sharing notes with other kids, setting the alarm clock before a big test so you have time for breakfast and a jog (or coffee and a leisurely read of the newspaper) so you don't show up for the test having just rolled out of bed and still groggy... stuff like that. It can be organizational skills like realizing you took the wrong edition of a book out of the library, and quickly reserving the right book online, rather than wasting two days trying to get back to the libary only to discover that the book is out.... </p>
<p>I would hate to see your son add to his frustration level with another year where he's disappointed in his performance. As smart as he is... it's the little stuff which can really torpedo college. Has he spent some time now that he has a little time and distance, trying to figure out "where did things go off the rails?" Seems to me that until he does that, he could find the next college just as frustrating.</p>
<p>Thank you all for your helpful comments. Son is heading to Southwestern next week to discuss possible transfer and suggestions for improving his chances. Here's hoping the conversation goes well!</p>
<p>Let me add my two cents. Son had 1600 SAT's and had skipped a year of school. Entered large public university with excellent reputation and was placed in junior year level math courses at 17. Did not go to class. Went from merit scholarships and special consideration to probation within two semesters. Wandered about academically and finally landed as a French and English double major. His first five years (!) of college a 1.9 gpa, his last two a 4.0. Sometimes it just takes someone a while to find him or herself. </p>
<p>I wish your son the best but the change will have to come from within. A new environment may help but the traits that got him into trouble in the first place need to be examined as well. My son now struggles with the realization that while his future can still be bright, he has himself created hurdles that will cloud his efforts as he seeks to go to law school or grad school. No matter how well your son does now, he will face those as well. </p>
<p>All of the above for both these bright kids is a cautionary tale for all parents about to send their child, full of his or her hopes and theirs, off into the world of college.</p>
<p>I read your story with great interest, because although your son isn't completely out of the woods where grad school is concerned, he has "gotten it together" and done well. Last year I was worried about grad school--now I would be happy just to see him back in a college. A question: how did he manage to stay in school so long with a 1.9? Bigger question: what changed for him?</p>