Yes, well said, @MomOfTeens77. Learning to really study and take responsibility is exactly it and is a process that can take time. The later bloomers could be put at a severe disadvantage by ETAM. I am just hoping that there is mostly enough give in the process, enough thoughtful review and enough slots, etc., that this works out mostly ok. These are young people and can still change a lot. At the same time, I know there are students that may need to look around and not continue in engineering, for example.
Parents, support your kiddos with love and good coaching if coaching would help. My older son, fifth year computational biology major with three minors, is far beyond any technical help his parents could give. But we still say say hi several times a week. Live and learn. We fault ourselves for not giving him more support his first year.