<p>I am posting this for my D's boyfriend. He's a smart kid, focused, knows what he wants to go into engineering, either structural or mechanical. He is a senior this year, with a SAT of 1820 and GPA of 2.8. Not involved in extra-curricular or volunteer work. IMHO, his GPA suffered due to 3 different high schools in 4 years. First 2 years at one school, living with mom, junior year he went to live with dad in another state, in less than optimal (I'm being kind) family situation. Senior year now back with mom and MUCH happier abd he's working on improving GPA. Family finances are very tight, so he's looking at going to CC to be able to live at home and work to help out with $$. Bottom line question - is there any chance of him getting into a LA college or university on a full ride with maybe work study? I don't want to get his hopes up by encouraging him to do something that is impossible.</p>
<p>He can get financial aid (loans). If he has the skills to get through engineering school, the high paying job he will secure will allow him to payback loans very quickly.</p>
<p>Most students should apply to some schools that are considered reaches–both academically and financially, so there is nothing wrong with encouraging him to look around. If he does end up at a community college, make sure that he asks about the scholarships available locally. At our local college, there are special STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) scholarships in addition to others. They are not necessarily well advertised, so be sure he asks some questions.</p>
<p>I would agree to at least try the schools that are “reaches”. If he has to start off at a community college…IT IS NOT THE END OF THE WORLD CONTRARY TO THE POSTS ON THIS BOARD.</p>
<p>This is engineering not business. While there are 100 business jobs openings with 300 applicants, most areas of engineering will have 100 job openings and 33 applicants so he can start at a community college and attend a state school and do just fine. He can always “upgrade” on the college for grad school…maybe not Top-10 but definitely rankings 11-to-20…especially if he comes in with a nice pre-paid voucher from his employer for tuition reimbursement.</p>
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<p>I’m not saying that anyone has to go to a Top 10 engineering school, but I do want to point out that a CC can get you into a top engineering school. Georgia Tech is a Top 5 school and takes in a large number of students from Regional Colleges / Community Colleges both in and outside of Georgia. There are no SAT or high school GPA requirements, only college GPA and class requirements (which aren’t that bad unless you’re interested in Biomedical or Mechanical). </p>
<p>At the end of the day, no one cares which colleges you attended. They care where your degree is from. You could attend School A for 4 years and then School B for 1 year and graduate, and you’d be School B engineer.</p>
<p>^^ Well that is even better to know.</p>
<p>Yeah, going to a CC isn’t a bad thing at all, especially for someone in his situation. It might push his graduation back a semester or year but that’s worth it if it is his only choice. The end result will still be the same as if he had gone to a four year university in the first place.</p>
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Yes moving around between different places and schools definitely makes it difficult on a high school student. I went to 5 different high schools over 4 years and my GPA really suffered horribly.</p>