<p>Question:</p>
<p>Our son has achieved amazing test scores on AP and SAT, he maintained a 4.0 his Junior year. He now has an "F", and "D-", with many truancies. We are going through a trying time, regretfully his ability to test and proscratenate with success has created a lazy approach to his studies. </p>
<p>If he is invited in by the schools of his choices, can we assume that these schools will revoke their invitation?</p>
<p>Concerned Parent</p>
<p>Most, if not all, schools admit you “conditionally”. This fact is not always printed in bold letters, but it is there. The college will require that they get a copy of your final high school transcript. Some drop is GPA is acceptable, but anything too much and they’ll pull that acceptance real quick. Of course, that will happen over the summer when other college options are few.</p>
<p>So, tell your son to get back on track or else. He should contact the schools to which he is admitted and discuss this with them NOW. If he has been getting "F"s it may be too late. However, if he can bring his grades back up the second half of the school year, he may be able to save himself.</p>
<p>His poor study skills will not sit well at most good schools. He will be amongst his academic peers and the class content and student expectations will be scaled to that level. His classes should test the abilities of those with good study skills. Those with poor study skills will either develope good study skills (at that point, a rather painfull process) or sink. It is up to him.</p>
<p>If he had a 4.0 before, the problem isn’t study skills or organization. Your post screams for a counselor to intervene and tell colleges why this wonderful kid suddenly went south.</p>
<p>Sorry if this treads onto delicate ground, but have you considered drinking/drugs?
Super student suddenly in the F range with many truancies…</p>
<p>^dragonmom may be touching on a delicate but valid concern. Don’t rule anything out and good luck.</p>
<p>We know of a boy that had a full-ride acceptance at an engineering school so decided to skate his senior year. They revoked his acceptance.</p>
<p>And those grades and truancies do seem to indicate more than just taking it easy. I would try to get to the bottom of that.</p>
<p>SO sorry that you are in this situation. As painful as it is, this is now the time for your son to take responsibility for his own actions. Sit down with his college counselor/guidance counselor and lay out his cards. It looks like he has royally blown his chances, but they will be the ones who have the most experience with this and can really be blunt. If this is a case of senioritis then rescinsion will be a valuable albeit painful lesson. If it is drugs/alcohol, please get outside intervention. I have a dear friend who barely got her son throughhis last year of high school. Too many ‘saves’ by his parents, much hand wringing and sleepless nights. Kid made it off to college but has had a real struggle and continues to cause his parents much distress. If your son cannot accept responsibilty for his actions now, do you really think he’ll be handle the new freedom he will find at college? Do hope he turns things around, I really feel for you.</p>
<p>Agree with other posters — alcohol (or drugs) seems more likely. I personally went through nearly being kicked out of college during my freshman year, and yet AGAIN in my sophamore year. I’m happy to report that I got my act together and even graduated from college, then later from grad school with a 3.7. But you do need to intervene. I wish my parents had gotten me help, but how could they have known? The sooner the better!</p>
<p>I have to agree with the conditional acceptance. I reviewed an acceptance letter and package our son got from one of our in-state schools today and it clearly stated that graduation and a final year grade report were required. The information also stated that the admission could be recinded or revoked for academic or legal/criminal problems.</p>
<p>I agree that you need to see his GC ASAP and get to the bottom of the problem. You may not be able to correct the damage as the mid-term grade reports also have to be submitted by mid-Feb to most of the better schools.</p>
<p>Good luck to you and your son.</p>
<p>I’ll throw out an alternative explanation that I’ve seen with a lot of young people: is he unbearably anxious about the idea of going to college and/or about the list of schools to which he has applied? He may feel that he can’t tell you that (or even face up to it in himself), and this self-sabotage is the “easiest” way to deal with the problem.</p>
<p>To the OP, what is your take about what is going on?</p>