Good schools for a kid with low test scores interested in art and jobs with people/kids?

[Dmmetler]

I am in the counseling role for a really, really hard working girl with learning disabilities (2e). Without accommodations, her ACT is in the mid teens (she is a sophomore this year, so we have time to work on it, and while mom has been unwilling to have her apply for accommodations, I think the scores have been a wake up call). She is interested in art, working with children, or possibly nursing (but realistically, her math skills are not strong, so she might have a hard time making it through a nursing program). I could see her being a good dental hygienist or nursing assistant because she's got a pleasant personality and likes people. Parents want her to go to college, and honestly, I think it would be good for her to get away from home in some way. She is a very hard, diligent worker, is not afraid of manual labor, and is excellent at housekeeping type chores. She would tend to do better with fewer classes for a shorter period at a time.

 

Obviously, the local CC, especially given that TN has the Promise program that gives free CC tuition to state residents who volunteer in the community, would be the likely outcome, but I'm wondering about other options.

[teachermom2834]

Not sure where you are in TN, but Lee University comes to mind. Can talk more if you are interested.

[Chris in VA]

How good an artist is she? Would she be able to pursue art education?

 

VCU (Virginia Commonwealth Univ) in Richmond is a fine school--one of the top Schools of the Arts (so, other "arts," along with art-art  lol I'm sure you know what I mean). My son got in with a low SAT. He had good, albeit homeschool, grades.

[Dmmetler]

She seems like a pretty talented visual artist to me, and has won a few local art awards (things like the county fair, where each school/homeschool group can enter 2 pieces per grade, and the local art college judges them). I really think that if she wanted to go into a trades area, she could probably make good money in masonry and tile work, abecause she does beautiful mosaics.

Edited April 3, 2016 by dmmetler

[Crimson Wife]

Occupational Therapy Assistant (2 year degree), Recreational Therapy (4 year degree), or Art Therapy (4 year degree).

 

There appear to be 3 OTA programs in TN: http://tnota.org/resources/otota-programs-in-tennessee

[Storygirl]

I was thinking Occupational Therapy Assistant, too. Or graphic artist. Preschool teacher. Tile work sounds like a good choice but maybe doesn't give her enough face time with people. Interior design in a store, where she helps people choose flooring, tile, and paint colors -- not sure if a degree would be required, or just relevant experience.

[Chris in VA]

She won't make a living wage as a preschool teacher, just to let you know.

[FaithManor]

Many of the four year degrees related to medicine are going to require chemistry which means math. So if you think she isn't going to make it through trigonometry with solid skills, then I would shy away from advising her to pursue four year medical degrees.

 

Physical therapy assistant in many states does not require chemistry.

 

I wonder about graphic arts. Some community colleges have good programs and though mid-teens for ACT would mean taking 90 level remedial course to start, she could still attend. Scores that low tend not to be accepted at state flagships and their regional extension campuses. Art therapy requires a master's degree to enter the field.

 

Here is a list of test optional/flexible schools:

 

http://blog.prepscholar.com/the-complete-guide-to-sat-optional-colleges

[Crimson Wife]

Many of the four year degrees related to medicine are going to require chemistry which means math. So if you think she isn't going to make it through trigonometry with solid skills, then I would shy away from advising her to pursue four year medical degrees.

 

Allied health may allow for conceptual chemistry rather than regular chemistry (it depends on the specific field). Speech & Language Pathology master's programs require a physical science but most of my pre-SLP classmates are taking a course that uses Suchocki's Conceptual Chemistry. Having taken the first 3 pre-med chem classes, I hope that grad schools don't hold the fact that I earned B's & B+'s rather than the A I would've gotten in conceptual chem against me.