Senioritis- Problem for State U?

<p>This is regarding my niece, who is about to be murdered by my sister. She is a strong student- or WAS a strong student. Top 8% at large suburban high school. 3 or 4 APs right now. Her grades have taken a nosedive. She has acceptances to Pitt, Delaware (merit money), Drexel(merit money) and Penn State (engineering major at all) and will probably choose Penn State, although she won't commit at this point. Right now she is getting a C in AP Lit and a possible D in AP Stat. She claims it is "fine" and "just senioritis". Her parents are threatening community college, and are truly worried that Penn State could pull the acceptance. I know there have been other threads discussing "how low can you go", but do any of you wise parents have any solid info? My niece struggles with some depression and passive/aggressive behavior, so we are not exactly sure what is going on. She is refusing counseling right now and seems to be losing interest in things like prom and friendships.</p>

<p>My gut tells me there is more than senioritis working here-your last two sentences sent me a red flag. I think she should talk to someone or atleast have your sister talk to someone whom your neice may confide in-a best friend, a guidance counselor, trusted teacher. My oldest S who was also a good student had a bad case of senioritis too, especially after he started to get his acceptance letters (12 in all!). I think he felt that one of his accepted colleges would surely allow him to matriculate even if his grades fell sharply. He almost didn't graduate because of gym (of all things) and had to go every day and 3x/week twice a day to make up the missed classes to pass.
But your niece not being interested in friendships, prom, her lack of discussion about her college plans seems to indicate more than senioritis. I would have your sister discuss it with someone and perhaps they can even talk to your niece-how they have noticed a change in her behavior and is everything alright? Perhaps if she hears a story or even speaks to someone who was in jeopardy of not graduating or having their acceptance rescinded, maybe it will hit home and she will start putting the effort she needs into finishing high school.</p>

<p>AuntOfFailingNiece:</p>

<p>I think Audi is right. There is more going on here. Are there any BF problems? Does she have a date for the prom? Is she spending too much time IMing friends and going over the "drama" of school?</p>

<p>Don't know if Penn State would rescind. Nothing on the web site about final transcripts.
I agree however there may be something else going on and it will likely only get worse as the time to go away to school gets closer.
Also, on another note if she is going to go to Penn State she better commit soon or she will be in supplemental housing...they are having a major housing crunch there...</p>

<p>Thanks- we know there is something else going on. The kid totally stonewalls, though. They sent in the housing deposit awhile ago. She is a thrower on the track team, has a part-time job at a local restaurant and no boyfriend right now. Lots of conflict with the parents over the last couple of years, but no drugs or abuse of alcohol.</p>

<p>A C may not spell doom--but a D on a mid-year transcript for someone I know put his UC acceptance on the bubble. The school wanted to see the final transcript and then decide whether to pull the acceptance. He decided to take a job after high school rather than go to college.</p>

<p>Also, anecdotally--one senior got her scholarship pulled by her university after failing physics in her last semester because of senioritis. </p>

<p>This stuff happens. All acceptances are conditioned on the student keeping up the same kind of performance. Schools may allow for a little leeway--but many do have a limit.</p>

<p>AuntOfFailingNiece:</p>

<p>Do you know what her school puts on their transcripts?</p>

<p>Our school only puts mid-term and final grade (not quarter grades)</p>

<p>Some may put all qtrs.</p>

<p>If niece's school only puts mid term and final then her final avg may not be as bad.</p>

<p>Thanks, guys. My sister just called and said it might not be as bad as it first looked. It is just this marking period's grades that have tanked. The overall average should be Bs if she recovers this final marking period. The kid claims she had no idea it could jeopardize her acceptance. (right....) They are also going to talk to the school counselor, are making her drop her work hours during the week and will be watching very closely for any signs of substance abuse.</p>

<p>It could just be burnout from a tough schedule. But it's best to consider all the angles. I wonder about next year, though. Penn State has a well-earned reputation as a party school. It's kind of impersonal as well. It's easy to fall off the rails there if a student isn't careful. And engineering is not forgiving. But I guess she'll cross that bridge then!</p>

<p><<<< The kid claims she had no idea it could jeopardize her acceptance. (right....>>></p>

<p>Actually lots of kids live in the land of "wishful thinking" so I wouldn't be surprised if she thought that once she's been accepted, her later grades don't matter. She may just think that she can "goof off" now that she's been accepted (this is why people don't receive pay checks before they do the work. LOL )</p>