Alternate routes to UofM CoE

coney2013
Thu, 31 Jan 2013 12:18:58 +0000

Hi,

I need feedback on some decisions that my son has to make. First some background.

During his Junior year, my son’s adolescent angst hit hard, and his grades went from ~ 3.9 (UW) to a 3.03 (UW), leaving him with a cumulative GPA of ~ 3.6x (UW). He also ended up with a 29 on his ACT. Luckily he had a few nice ECs and great recommendations from his teachers. However, he has been deferred from the UofM COE. Naturally he is gutted.

This year he has reverted back to his normal immature goofy happy-go-luck self, from his immature rebellious sullen persona of last year. His grades have improved accordingly, and he is currently maintaing a 4.0 UW/4.83 W for his 7th semester. This brings his cume up to a 3.71 UW.

Also, he is a little young, and will be 17 practically through the end of his first semester in college. He is an in-state candidate.

Our choices are as follows:


Wait for the deferral decision. If he gets in, problem solved! Howver, in view of the large numbers of quality applicants, we probably need some fallback positions.
UofM Flint 2+2 program. This is the one where there is a guaranteed transfer to Ann Arbor CoE if the student has maintained a 3.5 average for 2 years. Son seems to think that with AP + 1st year + Summer, he can finish off the required 60 credits in his first year, and end up on the AA campus where he wants to be during fall of 2014.
Spouse teaches at a nearby community college where a lot of UofM Flint students take her class. She feels that the constant association with mediocre students will be de-motivating and turn him mediocre. If he can’t maintain the 3.5 (GPA needed for guaranteed transfer), then he ends up with a devalued degree.


Advantages:

a. Significantly cheaper.
b. Can stay at home.
c. Guaranteed transfer to UofM AA after completing 60 credits (GPA 3.5).
d. I can provide guidance as needed.

Disadvantages:

a. No college experience.
b. Less valuable degree
c. Peer group is less likely to be stimulating and motivated.


MSU Engineering. He is accepted here as well. He plans to keep applying for a transfer until it happens. However, if he can’t transfer, he will end up with a meaningful degree at the end.
Advantages:

a. College Experience.
b. Degree is more prestigious that UofM Flint.
c. Can probably find students like him to hang out with.
Disadvantages:

a. Cost.
b. Possibly getting lost in a large University.
c. No guaranteed path to Ann Arbor.


I should mention that, either way, this won’t be his terminal degree.

Any guidance would be appreciated.