Is College Right for My Child?
Don't discourage your son or daughter from going on with schooling without knowing all the facts. Here are some misperceptions parents sometimes have about their children's futures.
"My child's grades aren't good enough for college."
Grades don't have to keep your child out of college! Some, including technical and community colleges, require only a high school diploma - grades don't matter. You can also ask at your child's high school counselor about ways to emphasize his or her strengths on college applications.
Poor grades in high school don't predict how your child will do in college. Some kids turn out to be much better students in programs that cater to their interests, such as technical or artistic abilities. Sometimes poor students mature or get engaged in college and begin making better grades. Keep in mind that many colleges feature special programs to help students catch up, such as the University of Cincinnati's Learning Assistance Center, with free tutoring, study skills workshops, and supplemental learning classes.
"We can't afford college."
Yes, you can - if you plan ahead and choose the college carefully. Scholarships and various other forms of financial aid are available. The federal formula used to determine what you can afford for college means that families with the least resources get the most aid. Student loans and savings can also help. See the "Paying for College" part of this website for much more information.
"My child isn't a good fit for college."
Maybe you think your child is not the college "type." But many different kinds of students can thrive in the different kinds of educational settings available in Cincinnati. College and other kinds of advanced study can mean things like producing records, deep-sea diving, or gourmet cooking. With all the institutions and programs just in the Greater Cincinnati region, chances are there is a place that's a perfect fit for your child.
Also, if your child once enrolled in college and dropped out, or has been out of high school for a few years, the road to college is still open. Americans start college at all ages. these days, parents often go back to college themselves once their children leave home.
"A high school diploma ought to be enough."
Times have changed. Many of the jobs available when you or your parents graduated from high school have disappeared today - they've gone overseas, or are being done by machines instead of people. Six out of ten jobs now require more than a high school diploma. Don't keep your child from learning what's needed for the future.
Learn more about what you can do to help your child get into college and finish that degree: