<p>I know someone who must retain a 3.9 cumulative average GPA throughout college (that means major and non-major classes included). The moment it dips below 3.9, no more family support. No sympathy for bad professors, bad (or no) curves, or being the best student with a B in the class. I've known him since elementary school, and his parents were stereotypical Asian jerks that expected 200% effort in everything he did, always claiming he had "potential". I suspect his parents just got butt hurt when he didn't get accepted by any top schools (you know, the Harvard and the Princeton and the etc...), and this is some sort of a payback for "defaming our Asian heritage". Anyways, the way his first semester is going, he's not going to make it out with a 3.9, and with very little financial aid on his pocket, I really feel bad for him. What are your guys' opinions? </p>
<p>I think that’s psychologically abusive. </p>
<p>Not only are they shaming their child for not accomplishing a feat that is essentially a lottery but they’re also placing a rather dire threat that compounds matters. Maybe they didn’t understand that you can be the quintessential Harvard applicant with “perfect” written all over your application and transcript and get locked out of every Ivy, or maybe they did but didn’t care. But regardless, setting strict guidelines for the student’s performance, that for many would be unattainable in many majors, seems to be a great way to put incredible pressure on your child on top of the pressure and stress they’re already under as a student trying to navigate their way through their first year in college. </p>
<p>There is a difference between wanting your child to be successful and wanting your child to be perfect. My parents are immigrants and I grew up in a household with rigid expectations for grades - however, my parents were able to recognize hard work and effort and differentiate their expectations accordingly. Everyone wants a kid who does well in life - but to say that you will cut the student off from any support for simply falling short of a GPA that most college students, at most schools, in most majors, will not end up graduating with is ridiculous. </p>
<p>What is he studying? It is almost unfathomable for parents to suggest that a student studying some discipline like Mechanical Engineering or Math to maintain a 3.9 in upper division courses. Many students in softer majors like English and History who feel incredibly passionate about their fields can’t even manage that. </p>
<p>I feel bad for him too. Has he discussed his grades with his parents yet? Are they expecting a 3.9+ or do they sense/know it’s not going to happen realistically? </p>