I am writing hoping someone can send me a little picker-upper. I am a parent of 3 LD kids. My youngest, a senior and a very talented actor, musician just got refused from the 3 colleges he applied to. He had excellent recommendations, has won numerous awards in the community and VHSL for both drama and forensics, but had a transcript that was that of a struggling LD student. Somewhat stellar for that I might add, as most kids with an LD like his do not even attempt advanced coursework OR apply to college!!
I am uspet. I am disappointed. Most of all, I am so sad for him, and worried that he is going to give up and become the statistic, that at this point, has avoided being.
What is “out there” for LD kids that are talented but can’t get into college? I am on a guilt trip for having sent him to public school, but I am a single mom and could not do a private school. In retrospect, maybe I should have.
I feel like he is attending HS has done nothing for him academically except frustrate him to death. He HAS done great and wonderful things on the stage, but somehow, now they do not matter. It is that stupid mentality of everyone fitting in the same “box”, that is making him feel like a failure and he is FAR from a failure.
Are there any acting troupes or schools that do not care about the GPA and the SAT? He says he wants to go to Europe. I don’t know what he thinks is there for him. I also don’t know how he would fund his way there.
My Son Didn't Get Into College
[color=green]Ladybug, as hard as it is keep your chin up and remember how wonderful you have done with your children your son wants to go to college even though he has had to fight with LDs all his life. That tells me you have taught he a wonderful sense of self worth.
I agree with Nancy3 if you haven’t yet looked into Community College I would strongly suggest doing so. Things to remember will be what CC credits can be transferred at a later date to another college you need to ask these things at the time you apply. Most classes no matter what college you attend will need certain courses to be studied so if those can be done at the CC and credits transferred your son will not have to re-take them.
My nephew is just completing his second year at a CC and will be starting at a State University in the fall and he has LDs. It can be done, and is done often. [/color]
My Son Didn't Get Into College
Our community college (where I provide academic support to students) has a very active theater program.
How are your son’s academics? Study skills, etc? Do you have an idea as to why he wasn’t accepted? (what were they looking for?)
HE can use the next semester to either go to another college or find some other way to grow and develop experience, skills and knowledge - the trick is to be positive thinking and proactive. The neat thing is that now that he has graduated from high school, *he* can choose what to work on. (The not neat thing is there isn’t necessarily anything appropriate in place - but then, there probably wasn’t *really* in high school - and you have to *find* it and hope.) Now that he’s not in high school where he’s forced to try to fit into what *they* think is important, and therefore make it look like he is not achieving, he can choose courses/job/activity to highlight his strengths. He’s free :-)
My Son Didn't Get Into College
I would like to encourage you, too. As much as it wasn’t what you guys had planned, he will now have time to investigate options and get a break from school (except for classes at the CC if that is what he chooses.) My son will be going to college, but he has taken this year off. He has worked on creative projects, and other interests. I feel he is much more rested and ready to take on new responsibilities than he was just after graduation. So, celebrate graduation and enjoy the time to explore and look at choices.
My Son Didn't Get Into College
It is very frustrating for parents of LD kids that 1) They are often denied college level classes or those teachers refuse accommodations 2) Japanese and French are offered, but not sign language or something an LD kid might excel at etc. etc. 3) As population has grown college slots have not.
Community College seems like a throw away answer BUT it has some advantages. Many are cheaper than most 4 year schools. And the biggie is - if colleges see that you can do the work they are WAY more likely to take a chance on you (and more generous with financial aid!) Did those 4 year schools have good solid LD assistance programs? There is a huger variation between schools. At this point CC with fine arts seems like a good idea. Those 2 years can be enough for a foot in the door. FInd a CC with a good LD office.
Have you looked at community colleges? A lot of students go to a community college for two years and then transfer the credits to a 4-year college. As far as I know, community colleges don’t have entrance requirements — certainly not stringent ones. Some community colleges and 4-year colleges have LD departments that can be very helpful. I would look at colleges that offer comprehensive services to LD students.