Please remind me that it's not true only athletes get into college. - Page 2

[Ellien C]

Originally Posted by fek&fuzz

that's one of the oddest things I've ever heard. No one in my family played sports and we've all gone to college, even "very selective" colleges.

Yep!

Perhaps the OP can suggest that you expect your children to go to college, and even get scholarships based on their academic peformance. Or you could suggest that you hope they go to the kind of school that is prohibited from giving atheltic scholarship.

That's how we did it in my family at our Division III schools!

[USAmma]

I was a college athelete, but that was only half my scholarship. The other half was a high SAT score.

Now 10 years and 2 kids later, I'm back in college. And definitely NOT an athlete.


A good way to get into college is to take your first two years at community college (it's less expensive, too). Earn good grades at CC and then apply to the four-year college with those grades. They will see that you have the study skills to do well in post-high school classes and are more likely to finish your degree.

[mommy68]

Originally Posted by Cassiopeia

That's a totally bizarre thing to say.

I agree. There are plenty of people who go to college and never played sports.

I think whoever makes the comments to you are just being critical because your children aren't doing what the Joneses children are doing. I'd ignore them or tell them that some kids (like your own) will get in to college based on their brains. : I've known several people over the years that got in to really good colleges through scholarships (not sports related).

[SleeplessMommy]

Play a sport? Ha Ha. I was on the math team! I got in anyway.

[teachma]

Never played a sport, team or otherwise. But I do understand how one's community can make one feel like it's a necessity- we are in the same position here. And while it already seems my 3 year old daughter will be athletically inclined, my 6 year old son completely lacks the interest/drive to pursue sports at this time. And we all know if you don't start soccer at 3, you ain't gonna be too good... (Another local myth)

[AmyY]

This is weird - the stereotype I grew up with was that athletes could NOT get into college - or, once there, could only proceed through safely to graduation by having their hands held through each and every course by talented tutors.

Now I know better - all kinds of people get into college. But if you have to be an athlete, I'm doomed. Oh wait. I have a master's degree.

[aran]

Originally Posted by USAmma

A good way to get into college is to take your first two years at community college (it's less expensive, too). Earn good grades at CC and then apply to the four-year college with those grades. They will see that you have the study skills to do well in post-high school classes and are more likely to finish your degree.

I recently read an essay explaining that there are some myths surrounding this plan. It was written by a high school guidance counselor, and former admissions dept. employee at a college, citing statistics from the Chronicle of Higher Education. I threw it out, but it was recent so I am sure I am recalling this correctly. Anyhow - according to the essay, community colleges tend to be feeder colleges for state schools, and most private schools and out-of-state state schools reject most community college transfers. So if you don't mind having your choices limited to state schools in your own state, this path is OK, but if you want to have lots of choices for finishing a bachelor's degree... it might not be a good idea.

[yogamama]

I didn't play a sport and neither did my husband (or most of my friends). We all went to college, some went to graduate school, some got PhDs...

[marybethorama]

Oh heck yes

There are such things as academic scholarships.

I got one.

Athletic scholarships are nice but I'm not even sure how many are given out. Most college students aren't atheletes.

[ImoKit]

i'm going to apply through the english system in sept to start sept08 and no-one has ever mentioned being sporty as a criteria for getting in. Though they do like to see work experiance and extra curriculars including sports but if you something else volunteering then they like that just as much if not more. This is stuff i've been told in preparation for applying so i don't know how accurate it is...
As to the community college thing, we don't have them over here, 3 years for BS or BA normally in the same uni, but then we have top fees (3-5 grand a term/year not sure) paid over time after earning above 15grand and so only pay for living costs accomadation etc. (not that its cheep, but cheeper)