My dolt son wants to go to college

[the nikster]

My son is smart. He was diagnosed with severe dyslexia and an inability to learn(except visually) when in the 10th grade. We paid a buttload of $$ to Sylvan learning center who taught him how to learn. His grades improved from D's to A's and B's his junior and senior years.
Given his low GPA he applied only to local state colleges but has been declined by all.
He is taking an aptitude test(suggested by a councellor) and will then resubmit, but he is suffering some sadness.
He was born with a heart problem and has had open heart surgery twice so military is no option.
Maybe some of you younger people have ideas for options? or maybe an older parent with college aged kids has an idea?
I'm really looking for a sympathetic school or even a desperate school that might appreciate his talents.

 

[Goldtip]

What about a community college where he can continue his current GPA rates and demonstrate to the state college's that there has been a change in his learning ability since his early high school performance? Nothing wrong with getting his AA degree out of the way at a cheaper priced Community college.

 

[Ridge Runner]

Nick.. What are some of his interests and strong points? This might help narrowing down some ogf the schools to look into. I am in the college search process as I have 2 that will be seniors next year and we are getting the jump on it now.

 

[Big Slick]

I know Idaho State used to have a Vocational school.My sister went there and learned how to repair cash registers. She has her own business in Pocatello and is always busy.

 

[mdunc8]

Does he have any idea what he wants to do for a career?

 

[StHubert]

Nick,
I would have him make a list of his interest. What does he enjoy doing, talking about? Does he love the outdoors, hunting or fishing? There are a lot of different options if this is the case. He could be a cameraman for a tv show, video editor, etc. Here is a link to the National Shooting Sports Foundation, on the left hand side click on industry careers and he can see what opportunities are out there and the education he would need.

http://www.nssf.org/industry/

 

[----]

I guess just start looking at Community colleges and Trade schools.

If he's not in a hurry, it'll be a lot harder for the Universities to turn him down with an AAS or certificate of some kind.

 

[EasternMTHunter]

I've been in school way to long (What was I thinking!) but IMO the best place to show you can do the work and to get the best education is the community colleges. At least there, the teachers can teach and care about the students.

 

[Cornell2012]

There are a lot of things that college applications don't show. I have a hard time believing that with the turnaround in your son's grades that colleges would not accept him. What I heard from my counselor in high school was that schools often times overlook a bad year or two due to special circumstances.

I'd suggest picking the top two or three schools he would like to go to most, calling the admissions office, and telling them about your son's situation. If he's already applied, they might be willing to reevaluate his application. There are no guarantees, but it can't hurt.

Also, are there any teachers that your son is close to who would be willing to write a letter about his good qualities? This could help swing an admissions officer in your favor.

 

[Khunter]

Dolt? Why would you use that term?

 

[smalls]

Nick,

I don't know how your boy feels about Missoula but I believe (don't quote me on the specifics) believe they have a program run by the local UMCOT (UM College of Technology) and the Uo'M where you attend the tech school but you live on the Uo'M campus with the other Griz student body. Do well at tech for a year or two then if he does well and has the desire he can transfer to the (a) four year school.

I hope this helps and best of luck.

 

[----]

Yep, smalls is right. UM and UMCOT are ran together, so you can take classes at either campus, and live in the dorms regardless of which school you're enrolled. As long as he's accepted by the tech and is enrolled through a program there, I'm pretty sure he can take his generals at the main campus which will count towards both schools.

 

[cjcj]

Thats tough... hard to read... put together sentences... My son in law has it too.....Makes up for it [ no degree] with hard work....but he should give it his best shot

 

[Moe]

If he has severe dislexia he may be entitled to a scholarship at some Universities (sounds crazy, but true)?

I had a very good friend who God Bless him was aflicted with terrible dislexia and he ended up going to college for like 6 years on his disability..(about 50% of it free)?

I'd check into this if you can as it couldn't just be an old Florida thing; in fact he went to UNLV for a time too? Ended up working there after he graduated in athletics and made good money.

We all hated him of course by then though, as myself and his other jr. college friends were out struggling to make it and he was still back in college working out all the time and scoring with younger and younger girls the basterd.!

Good luck,

Moe

 

[MN Public Hunter]

Dolt? Why would you use that term?

I was wondering the same thing myself...

 

[the nikster]

First off, thanks for all the replies.
My wife also suggests either a c.c. or trade school or the like--good ideas
He likes fire, girls, that REALLY smart guy in a wheelchair, war movies, paintball, fire,
Xbox, working with his hands.
He's not big on hunting or fishing( I think I burned him out)!
I really appreciate the reponses. I'll forward all of them to my boy and see if anything sticks.
A dolt? He turned 18 in March. I kid him saying he is now a dolt (adult). Simple huh?
Thanks again.

 

[Dinkshooter]

Likes working with his hands? Why doesn't anyone ever suggest just a trade. Where I work I print out w-2s for heating and plumbing technicians who regulary post 70,000-100,000 depending on the year. Not a alot of college degrees that will get you to that scratch that quick.

My boss has a written up 4 year apprentice program that will take you from 30/year to 60/year in four years and no one is ever interested. They have even tried to recruit local HS's with no response.

Enough from me, just because I pretty much hated college.

 

[Wyodeerhunter]

Likes working with his hands? Why doesn't anyone ever suggest just a trade. Where I work I print out w-2s for heating and plumbing technicians who regulary post 70,000-100,000 depending on the year. Not a alot of college degrees that will get you to that scratch that quick.

My boss has a written up 4 year apprentice program that will take you from 30/year to 60/year in four years and no one is ever interested. They have even tried to recruit local HS's with no response.

Enough from me, just because I pretty much hated college.

So what does a secretary of a HVAC company make?

Hierarchy on a job site: There are electricians and then everyone else below them

 

[Dinkshooter]

Not that much, but they don't require me to work steady 40 and I get 5 weeks off a year. Always choices. Now excuse me while I go get the phone, coffee and donuts.

 

[StHubert]

Good luck with your son..