Thinking this might be a good option for my S22. Gradewise last year was not great and this year has been worse. No learning difficulties, he just is lacking in maturity… not turning things in, or waiting until the year is almost over to finally apply himself. One thing he can do well is play soccer, and I know he wants to continue with it. Would CC give him a chance to grow up a bit and continue with his sport? He desperately wants to go out of state, preferable CA or WA. Are there CCs that would give him a college-like experience with dorms and other kids from out of state or internationals? We can afford to send him anywhere, but I don’t trust he’s going to be ready for college and I don’t want him to waste our money just squeaking by in his classes. I’m hopeful he may have a revelation next year, but wanted to look into options other than 4-years. Oh, and no idea what he wants to study, but since he’s not super academic, I’m assuming he would get a professionally oriented degree.
He’s a sophomore now, right? If you’re sure there are no learning issues then use his desire to go OOS as a motivator. If he were my kid I’d explain that if his current behavior isn’t corrected then residential college anywhere won’t be an option until he can show he values it. He could always take a gap year, or two, and work for a living. If he’s not turning in assignments or applying himself why is he playing soccer?
There are a bunch of ways to go.
CC is great for giving students time to mature- but he won’t get that ‘college’ lifestyle experience.
A post-bacc year, playing soccer is an expensive option, but it would give him more time to grow into himself
If he did a gap year he could work coaching soccer & play in a local league, then either go to CC for 2 years & transfer or apply to colleges that emphasize a practical curriculum (examples: https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/slideshows/top-colleges-universities-for-internship-co-op-programs).
Finally, consider whether a trade would suit him better. Take a look at this Forbes article: https://www.forbes.com/sites/cartercoudriet/2018/08/15/the-top-25-two-year-trade-schools-colleges-that-can-solve-the-skills-gap/
@austinmshauri He is playing soccer because it’s a source of pride and happiness for him. He doesn’t feel great about his school performance, and lacks a lot of confidence in that area. If he fails, he will not be allowed to play (state policy). He always manages to pull something off at the last moment…
@collegemom3717 I have actually considered a PG year for him. I’m not sure what he would get from it that would be markedly different from junior college, though. I guess more supervision and guidance? Smaller class sizes?
Definitely open to trade school and I will look at the practical curriculum link. He has a meeting with a private counselor next month, hopefully that will give him some ideas and perhaps the motivation he needs to get focused.
The main thing a PG year does is buy some growing up time, some more pre-college sports time, and (where relevant) time to meet pre-reqs for colleges (TOEFL, for example).
I am a huge fan of helping kids find things that they enjoy doing and that make them feel competent. Classrooms are just one - pretty artificial- environment, and I don’t know why we expect all, or even most, kids to thrive in it.
@murray93: Consider Palm Beach Atlantic University in West Palm Beach, Florida.
It is a private school founded in 1968. Tuition & fees is about $32,500 while on campus room & board is about $10,500. (74% receive financial aid.)
Great soccer program. The son of a friend won a national award as Defenseman / Defender of the Year for soccer.
Most major in business, followed by health professions, then psychology, then theology & religious vocations, then biology.
Mid SAT range is SAT 1000 to SAT 1220.
Thanks, Publisher. I’ll take a look. Edited: Looks like it would be far too conservative for him. Appreciate the thought, though!
If your son is good enough at soccer to be considered for an athletic scholarship, then consider these top ranked DII soccer schools divided by geographical region of the US:
https://www.ncaa.com/rankings/soccer-men/d2/regional-rankings
If interested in studying business, then Flagler College in historic St. Augustine, Florida should be considered. Reasonable tuition.
Rollins College near Orlando Florida offers a country club like environment. Most study business, communications or performing arts.
Most community colleges exist to serve the local community, so their students are predominantly commuters from the local area. In addition, out-of-state community colleges will charge a higher rate of tuition than they do for their in-state students.
If he is a late bloomer academically, attending a local community college and doing well there can inexpensively prepare him for transfer to a four year school.
Another option after HS graduation is not to attend college at all, but go to work until he gets motivation to do well in school. If working leads to a career, great. If not, the lack of career growth often stimulates motivation to return to school and be committed to do well there.
These are all great ideas. S has a relative that is paying for college, wherever he wants to go (or in his case… can get in). I hate for him to give up the opportunity. But if college is not what he wants, I’m an experienced enough parent to know it won’t work to force it. ?
@ucbalumnus What about all the CC/JC schools that have soccer rosters made up of mostly out of state or international players? What do you make of that?
My S19 does have LD and a 4 year college was not the right choice for him. His junior year in high school he decided surgical tech was a job he was interested in and thats an associated degree. He found a technical school that has a dorm. Its been a wonderful year of growth for him and he has a matured a lot!
The tech school he goes to has 3 sports and let’s just say one of the programs won their national division in the last year so don’t rule out tech school athletics as being “poor”.
Perhaps look at njcaa and mens soccer for ideas. Tyler Junior College? Marshalltown Community College? Yavapai College? Just to name a few. Decent mens soccer rankings, community colleges with dorms.
I didn’t realize tech schools can have dorms, too. Sounds like it’s been great for your son! We are in a fairly remote area, so the 2-year opportunities within reasonable driving distance are extremely limited and none have sports. We actually are in Texas and I’m aware of Tyler. He really wants to get out of state, but that just might be one to try and get him to look at anyway. Thanks
OCC offers dorms and is a highly ranked CC. It is in Costa Mesa, CA near Newport Beach. However, if it is unmotivated CC is a hard place to be. CC is a place where you need self motivation because the people around you will drop out and will not care about their grades.
Santa Barbara City College in California has a great student community, beautiful location, and often integrate with UCSB students. I believe they have OOS and international students as well as a soccer team. SBCC students also have high transfer rate to UCSB and other UC schools! 