Not Too Tough College In The South?

[The_Texas_Kid]

<p>My son was an average high school student with a slight learning disability that makes testing especially standardized testing) difficult for him. He's just a good human being (Eagle Scout, active in church) looking for a college in the South that doesn't try to emulate the Ivy League in admission and academic standards. At this time, he is working about 25 hours per week and successfully attending community college.</p>

<p>Isn't there some place the average, occasionally unmotivated student can go to get a degree and possibly find his passion while receiving an education? </p>

<p>Thanks</p>

<p>The Texas Kid</p>

[ckr1147]

<p>Hi there...I have a couple of suggestions...if you are looking in the Deep South, I sugest looking at U of Alabama and Auburn...I went to Auburn albeit many years ago and had a wonderful experience (and I was a Yankee!) They are definitely rah rah southern schools and probably still heavily fraternity oriented. But the admission requirements are not too tough and, at least for me, neither were the classes. I do know that Auburn's reputation in the engineering and veterinary fields is good. Also I htink the price is still pretty reasonablefor out of state. I have no idea where these schools rank either...I used to live in Houston as well and my brother went to U of Houston to study business - but I don't know anything about it now. Lots of kids from my high school wound up at U. of South Carolina which is also an up and coming school as is the College of Charleston.<br>
Just my thoughts - I am by no means a CC regular...or the parent of one of the super star kids you see on this board so often...just a mom struggling with an underachiever senior who is now "getting it" and realizing his lazy habits have been a big mistake!
Good luck to your son.</p>

[Northstarmom]

<p>You might want to take a look at some of the smaller southern colleges such as Wofford.</p>

[oldman]

<p>agree with Auburn....consider FSU, South Florida.....</p>

[Hoo_29]

<p>University of South Carolina is great. I am applying there. It has a very strong honors program, too. It's definetely a good school with easy admissions requirements. It is also really pretty and attracts people from all over the nation. </p>

<p>Also, UGA is a great school. It has gotten hard to get into, but maybe your son should still look at it. </p>

<p>Ole Miss is great. It is beautiful and is a very friendly school. extremely pretty. It kinda looks like a southern plantation. Might be a culture shock for a Yankee.</p>

<p>College of Charleston is nice. I think it has good academics and a great location(a beautiful eclectic city w/ a beach). I think the male female ratio is 3 to 1, so that's a plus for guys. It's also a more liberal arts focused school. </p>

<p>Clemson is also in SC. I've never been because they don't have my major, though.</p>

<p>Furman is a wonderful LAC situated outside Greenville. It is absolutely beatiful and has a great rep. </p>

<p>Have you ever heard of Georgia College and State U?? It's a small, public LAC that is on the rise.</p>

<p>How about Elon University? It's great and is really pretty. It's fairly non-competitive and is a LAC. </p>

<p>Also, maybe Appalation State, FSU, UNC-Wilmington, Mercer, NC state, LSU, western carolina, U. of Alabama, Samford, and UT-knoxville.</p>

[carolyn]

<p>Here are some schools in the south that have strong support programs specifically for students with learning disabilities:
Lenoir-Rhyne (NC) - great small LAC, very supportive of all students.
MacDaniel College (MD) - ditto
David and Elkins C(WV)
Wingate C (NC)</p>

<p>And some other small, very supportive schools I personally like: Guilford (NC), Emory and Henry (VA),
Lynchburg (VA), Hendrix (Ark), Millsaps (Miss), Presbyterian College (NC)</p>

[carolyn]

<p>I'd also suggest you get a copy of Loren Pope's books "Colleges that Change Lives"and/or "Beyond the Ivy League" - both have loads of info. on great schools for kids who fit your son's (and my daughter's) description.</p>

[oldhoo72]

<p>Since you're in Texas, you may want to look at Stephen F Austin in Nacodoghes (approximate spelling). Average SAT is aound 1000, if you're in state it will be inexpensive, and the folks I've known who attended liked it.</p>

[cheers]

<p>That might be a good fit with for a kid with heart.</p>

[bigdaddy]

<p>As usual, Carolyn has a lot of good advice. The Pope books are great sources of information on colleges that are not well known by the general public.</p>

<p>I will second two of her college recommendations that were in the running when DD was looking. Millsaps seemed like a strong academic program with a good sense of community (on campus, at least).</p>

<p>Presbyterian College in North Carolina was also a consideration -- especially because we are presbyterian and DD was active in church life. They also seemed to be be very generous in financial aid.</p>

[ohboy]

<p>Good friend at work has an ADD son (also big heart, on football team, etc.) The family did a lot of searching with him, and he's now a freshman at Catawba College in North Carolina (about 30 minutes north of Charlotte in Salisbury). They seem to be very supportive, helping him stay on track and be accountable, but he's loving his freshman year. Small college, pretty campus. Very supportive community (he even got a welcome letter from the mayor of Salisbury when he enrolled!)</p>

[kriket]

<p>Guilford is an interesting college. It's a small Quaker college, very into community service, liberal student body, beautiful campus on the outskirts of Greensboro, NC.</p>

[kriket]

<p>Guilford is an interesting college. It's a small Quaker college, very into community service, liberal student body, beautiful campus on the outskirts of Greensboro, NC. Also, I have a friend who's child attends Florida Southern & is pleased with the accomodations for LD students if that's relevant.</p>

[texas137]

<p>There are literally hundreds of schools in the south for kids who are not academic stars. Do you have other parameters? Small vs. large campus? Urban vs. small town? Conservative/religious or not? Football-obsessed or not? State or public?</p>

[cangel]

<p>Another vote for Alabama or Auburn - underappreciated and cheap, even for out of state. I would push Al over Auburn, though, Auburn has some issues that make it less desireable, and a tremendous housing crunch (it is basically too late to get freshman housing, unless you fall into some special category). A second for Loyola of NO. amd Spring Hill College in Mobile - never gets mentioned on here, and like Loyola is Catholic and a little pricier, but is very supportive. If you are on the I-10 corridor its an easy drive. Good Luck</p>