It’s early in our college search for my son, also have a daughter who’s a college freshman HS Class of 2021. The pandemic has impacted each class and each student differently. My son really struggled Sophomore year with online learning and it’s reflected in his GPA. We had always hoped to go test optional because he has Dyslexia and ADHD - we don’t anticipate great SAT results (but could be surprised). He is interested in mechanical engineering and is gifted with his hands. Works on engines, cars, woodworking and is doing a welding/fabrication certificate program after school “for fun”.
My question is, how do you show your non traditional learners strengths when they had so much working against them during the pandemic and are other parents concerned about the remote learning impact on GPA’s?
This kid deserves to achieve his college dreams but I’m concerned! And if merit on goes to the elite we will struggle financially. My daughter was a 3.98 student with a 4.3 weighted and got nothing in terms of merit.
I would help your kid focus on his passions and where he will thrive instead of worrying about the tests or other areas that are his weakness. If he’s into working on things, that’s amazing! Encourage him to do more and perhaps look into ways to incorporate this into the community or a big project. I would also look into colleges and programs that are more hands on and less focused on classroom based experiences.
It might be helpful to “document” his ECs, for example, the welding/fabrication certificate program he will earn is definitely a documented achievement. Have him take snapshots or videos of his works on engines, cars, woodworking and keep track of his works in semi-formal report formats. Some colleges allow submission of such material.
ME is available at colleges that are not super selective. If your state of residency is Massachusetts, then check UMass Lowell and UMass Dartmouth for how admissible he would be. Depending on budget, there are also private or out-of-state options that may be available.
There is merit money out there. You just need to pick the right schools. He will find a college with ME if thats what he wants to do.
I know people on CC give tech schools a bad rap. But for many hands on learner kids, they are the best choice. My friends daughter is quite intelligent and very mechanically inclined. Shes currently learning mechanical design/mechatronics/and robotics at a tech college. Shes doing awesome and loves it! She was hands on from her first year.
@MAMom01810, try not to worry there REALLY is a college for everyone out there that is a fit financially, academically, etc and your son will have multiple options. Hopefully he is now back in the classroom and doing better.
Try to show improvement, an having a strong finish is more important then where you started. Your son is not alone in his struggles with remote learning and AOs are going to be seeing a lot of Sophomore year anomalies from this class.
Try to figure out if the SAT or ACT would be a better option (Stronger in Math tends to favor SAT but not always the case). Either way take the test in the Spring and try and get a baseline, and figure out what areas he can most improve in.
Use the summer to get some things off his plate for senior year but make sure he has time for himself.
The one suggestion I got that seemed to work well is to spend
1/3 of your time in the summer working on college things (SAT/ACT prep, starting your common app, working on your essays, go on college visits, information sessions, read)
1/3 of your time doing something that enhances your application around your intended field of study and helps tell your story (looking to be a writer, volunteer for a local newspaper, interested in history work at the local library.
and the last third is time for him to do whatever is on his summer bucket list (go to the beach, hang with friends, binge watch 7 seasons of some show, go to concerts)
Also when you are developing your list, check out schools that provide good support for students with Dyslexia. Good luck!!
It’s so true. We were very impressed with the Open House at Wentworth Institute of Technology. Hand on opportunities not available in a program more focused on theory in undergrad years!