College Planning for the Great Kid with the C+ Average
Monday, February 11th, 2008
At the end of every program I present, I invite the audience to regard the time spent together as the beginning of a conversation rather than an event that is coming to a close. In doing so, I encourage further communication via email or phone. Please understand, I am not interested in becoming a personal counselor for families. Rather, I want to make myself available for families who have questions as the college planning process moves forward.
Quite often, such conversations speak to questions that are common to many other families. When this happens, I will take advantage of this space as well as The College Planning Newsletter to share the content with others who might benefit from the conversation. The following is an exchange I had with a parent following a recent presentation of “The Admission Game:”
Parent: Thank you for your talk–it was very informative and helpful. I have a couple of questions if you don’t mind answering them.
PVB: Not a problem. Fire away!
Parent: It seems like most of the college admission talks I attend skew the discussion toward the more selective schools. You spoke a lot about the vast majority of schools that are in the middle of the Pyramid (of Selectivity) but still the case studies you used were more on the high achiever side of the coin.
PVB: You make an interesting observation. I think most presentations focus on the more selective schools because that is where, whether right or wrong, most of the family angst and media hype comes to rest. In presenting “The Admission Game,” I needed to create an inclusive model for the discussion. You’ll recall I opened with the notion that all the schools in the country fit on the Pyramid of Selectivity according to how hard it is to get in them. I also pointed out that each looks at basically the same “stuff.” Kids don’t submit different sets of courses, grades and test results to different schools. Rather, the submitted information is the same across the board. The biggest difference in the admission process is that the schools further up on the Pyramid (harder to get into) scrutinize that information more carefully. The Pyramid provides a point of reference, then, that shows the relative importance of the same information at schools of varying degrees of selectivity. That said, you should be able to draw strong inferences about how less selective schools operate based on the points we discussed. Generally speaking, they can be more “forgiving” when a student’s record isn’t superlative.
Parent: How can I relate this discussion to students that are not in the upper 1/3 of their class? Case in point, my son. You mentioned that the ‘light went on’ for your son in his junior year of high school. For my Junior, that has not happened yet.
PVB: The light goes on for each young person at a different time in life and, often, in response to very different stimuli. The problem is that it rarely happens according to the timetables we have in mind for our kids! It is important, then, that he be guided in calibrating his planning for the future in a way that is respectful of his learning path. If college is in the picture, he should look at places that will see the potential within him and demonstrate a willingness to help him develop it.
Parent: Okay, so what can we do next? What is the process for a kid who will graduate in the lower half of his class with fair SAT scores, and has some decent community service involvement? My son has many excellent qualities–most people think he is a ‘great kid!’ He plays varsity soccer and writes for the newspaper but just doesn’t give his schoolwork the time he needs to succeed.
PVB: Have you asked him what he wants to do? I often find that asking a young person point blank: “Why do you want to go to college?” helps provide a beginning point for the conversation. One of the most humbling experiences of my professional life took place when my daughter asked me (very sheepishly) what I thought about the possibility that she might not go to college right away! Suddenly, it occurred to me that I had been working with my agenda for her rather than checking to see what she might have in mind!
I have no doubt that your son is a great kid AND that he will find a direction that enables him to do a lot of wonderful things in life. He may just need a little space (and support) to figure that out on his own. If you go that route (of providing space), be prepared for the possibility that college may not be his first/best option right out of high school. And that’s okay. Admission officers agree that a “gap year” (or two) can be an incredibly healthy and productive choice for an 18-year old. Besides, you wouldn’t believe the number of kids who are wasting their parents’ money in college these days! Oh, they’re having a good time, but they don’t really appreciate the opportunity (to become educated) that is at their fingertips. Rather, they’re in college because they figure that’s what they’re supposed to do after high school!
If your son does articulate a desire to pursue college right out of high school, consider having him look at local community colleges or universities where he can test the water (and build his confidence) one step at a time. I’d also urge him to talk with someone (teacher, counselor in school or privately) who can objectively lead him through the reflective aspects of self-awareness before helping him to think about possible college destinations. If you focus on a student-centered orientation to college, you’ll be amazed at how well this can turn out!
Parent: That’s helpful. It appears, though, like every college we look at online only admits kids above a 3.0 GPA or a very small percentage below that.
PVB: Don’t be misled. Many colleges are reporting mid-points-not cut-offs-for testing and GPAs. By the way, I recommend online resources (check out www.Petersons.com) that will give your son an opportunity to enter info about himself (academic and personal) that is in turn used to identify prospective colleges for him. Again, a student-centered orientation…
Parent: How is the process different if you are applying to transfer after a successful freshman year at a less selective school or even a community college?
PVB: First, you must realize that the more selective schools only offer transfer admission on a space availability basis. In some years, that may mean there is little/no transfer activity. That said, the process is basically the same except the focus academically now rests on the college experience. The high school record, including extracurricular activities, has less impact. I would also observe that the “playing field” is not level with regard to money. Kids who don’t need assistance have a much better chance of getting in as transfer applicants. Finally, if he wants to transfer, her definitely needs to make the case for himself IN PERSON! An on-campus interview is a must!
Parent: This is encouraging. Many people I know who are very successful admit to being C+ students in high school and you seem to be saying there are colleges that can see a kid’s potential and not get hung up on stats.
PVB: You got it! Your son will be fine. He just needs to find his way. Your support and patience will mean a lot as he explores his options.
Parent: Thanks again for your help and for an entertaining and informative program.
I trust you find this type of exchange useful. If you find yourself in need of a friendly voice in the college planning process, please contact me at Peter@TheAdmissionGame.com.
