My Poor Son...

[dairyou]

DS18 is graduating this year. Applied to 4 state schools. One that was suppose to be a shoe in denied him. They said he met all standards but with our California Budget cuts there isn't room for him. Now, he just got another denial letter.

Recently we had him apply out of state in Nevada. They are waving out of State fees so I hope at least he will make it in there.

My job at the school district may be cut but we have the money to send him.

It stinks to live in California now. Our elementary school district is about to raise class room size, cutting teachers, letting go front office staff and a million other things. I barely sit at all during the day. I don't know how all the schools will do with only 2 staff in the front.

Okay...done whining now.

Deb

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Aww that stinks.

Any other instate schools he can apply to?

I know in our state---if you do the CC you get auto transfer to university when you get your AA/AS....is that a possibility? Not ideal, of course.

I'll keep good thoughts for him that something comes through.

 

[luvthatdisney]

Just wanted to let you know schools on the other side of the country are in the same boat. I work in a school office and we are all on pins and needles waiting to see if we have a job next year. Education should be the last place cuts are made, but of course it is the first. I fear for future generations, education just does not have the importance it once did.

 

[Katie's Butterflies]

These budget cuts are horrible. My college had to stop all spring (new) enrollment this year and have cut back classes so much that many students are not graduating. It is ridiculous!

Good luck to your son.

 

[dairyou]

Thanks Everyone. Sometimes it's hard to see your kids disappointed but it's all a part of life unfortunately. There were many times I told him to apply for early admissions and he just wasn't ready then. He was a senior having a fun year.

I don't understand what will happen to our schools when all these layoffs begin. Our school district is cutting out librarians and high school counselors. I can't even describe how incredibly valuable our guidance counselor was. As a parent with a teen college bound it is so over whelming. Thank goodness I've done it once and think I can do it again with my sophmore when the time comes.

Good Luck to All of Us!

Deb

 

[lillygator]

how were his grades and sat/act's? were they really good?

 

[BLTtinkerbell]

Good luck to your son.

 

[minniecarousel]

Yes, it's tough out here. I'm glad mine went to college years ago. Even the "go to JC, then onto a CSU or UC" isn't working these days since there are so many cut-backs at the Junior College level too.
Has your DS heard from all his CSUs? Did he apply to any UCs? any privates colleges? He may want to see what a counselor at his HS suggests.

 

[disfan07]

I'm in california also.

I'm a transfer student from a CC but I applied to 8 california schools and 2 arizaona schools. I applied to 4 CSU and 4 UC schools.
I already got a rejection letter from CSU Long Beach but apparently no one from my school has gotten in for next year.
I meet more than the minimum qualifications for all of teh schools but its still a crap shoot.

Luckily, for transfer students, we have TAG agreements so I automatically get into UCSB. But it is hard right now.

If he doesnt get in and he goes to a CC, i think most (if not all) of teh CC have TAG (Transfer admissions gurantee) agreements with UC schools. Basiclaly, as long as you meet the qualifications (min. 3.0, complete IGETC, complete english and math the fall before transfer, and some others) and you fill out the forms if necessary, he woul dbe guaranteed admissions

 

[Luv Bunnies]

I work for a K-8 school district in CA. The board hasn't voted on the budget cuts yet, but they've posted their list of proposed cuts. They want to increase 3rd grade class size from 20 to 30, cut all district psychologists, cut elementary music and performing arts, decrease the custodial staff and other things I can't remember right now. The good news is that we have an educational foundation that was able to save the librarians. I work in special ed and so far, they haven't mentioned cutting any of our classes. I've been there for 8 years so I'm pretty high on the seniority list. If they cut any special ed aides, I would most likely still have a job. The other aide in my class is only in her 3rd year and she's a little nervous. It stinks all over the state!

 

[coolshannie]

Hi I'm a Nevada College Student. Both the Las Vegas and Reno campuses are very nice, perhaps your son would like it here. Sometimes things happen for a reason. He may have been denied, but there are doors waiting for him to open that might be able to give him better opportunities. Has he looked into the Honors college, there is a program at both campuses and it's great at my campus. If you have any questions that you think a current college student could help answer PM me I'd love to give you any help I can!

 

[torinsmom]

Another teacher here. We are having cuts as well, and in a small school, I really don't know how they are going to cut 10%. We already cut last year by having a furlough, and now they want us to cut further.

We hear all the time how other countries are showing higher achievement than us, and yada, yada, yada, but then the first place we look to cut is education. Our state finally passed an education lottery a few years ago, which was supposed to give us more money for education. How does that work? They just cut $ out of the regular education budget and use the lottery money INSTEAD of the regular budget money, not IN ADDITION to it. That really sucks.

OP, my DS is 15, so I will be in your shoes in a few years. He is not a high achiever, though, so we are already resigned to community college for the general courses. He can transfer when he is ready or stay at CC if he finds a program he does well in(like IT) It's definitely easier on the pocketbook than a 4 year college.

Marsha

 

[dairyou]

how were his grades and sat/act's? were they really good?

his SAT and ACT's were good. not excellent. Fresno said it had nothing to do with academics

 

[Gabes_mommy]

I'm in FL and the Community Colleges here are booming. I teach at a community college and we can barely keep up with enrollment but no one is being turned away. My CC also has not laid anyone off - in fact they are continually hiring.

I am clearly biased, but I think a CC is a great place to start. They are extremely economical and you get guaranteed admission to a state university (not the one of your choice necessarily, but at least one has to take you) when you graduate. CCs are also teaching colleges, not research universities so that means smaller class sizes and more teacher/student communication.

Good luck to your DS. I think this is a terrible time to be a young adult and my heart really goes out to these kids.

 

[DawnM]

CA has had some of the lowest tuition rates, particularly from CCs, in the entire country. It is no shock that they are now hurting. I have often said that they really needed to raise CC tuition rates. It seemed to me, since it was SO cheap, people would just go and drop out or go and drop classes last min., etc....when it really should be for more serious students.

I worked in CA schools for almost 17 years. I miss it terribly, but when I hear the stories from my friends, I am often glad I am not there dealing with it all. I am upset that I gave up my tenure though. I would have been one of the last fired and really wasn't worried about job security. But I have been gone too long to get that back easily. Fortunately, I have several credentials though and if nothing else, I could use my ESL credential and get a job.

Sorry this is happening. As much as I miss CA, I think now would not be the time to go back.

Dawn

 

[dairyou]

Just got another denial letter from San Jose State. Same situation. No room, academically fit

We've spent over 300.00 in applications ect. Now our only hope is Reno State. Hopefully we'll have better luck there.

Deb

 

[CowboyCO]

Check out the University of Wyoming. It's not too hard to get to, only 2 hours north of Denver. It is very inexpensive, even out-of-state. A lot of Colorado kids go there because their business, science and engineering schools are much better than state schools in Colorado (outside of CU). Admissions standards are not too tough and they have excellent financial aid departments to help out. Plus - get this---- they answer the phone 307-766-1121. I'm not kidding. Call that number and a lovely human being answers the phone.

Also -- California is a member of WUE (WICHE) which is a partnership of western universities, that will accept out-of state students and you only have to pay 150% of in-state tuition. http://wue.wiche.edu/

Most state schools will not accept transfers, so you have to start as an incoming freshman. BTW - instate Tuition at UW is $94 a credit hour - so that's only $141 an hour...

Word of warning - Laramie is not Southern California... (Not that Sacramento is, but I'm talking climate, here.)

 

[Gabes_mommy]

CA has had some of the lowest tuition rates, particularly from CCs, in the entire country. It is no shock that they are now hurting. I have often said that they really needed to raise CC tuition rates. It seemed to me, since it was SO cheap, people would just go and drop out or go and drop classes last min., etc....when it really should be for more serious students.

I worked in CA schools for almost 17 years. I miss it terribly, but when I hear the stories from my friends, I am often glad I am not there dealing with it all. I am upset that I gave up my tenure though. I would have been one of the last fired and really wasn't worried about job security. But I have been gone too long to get that back easily. Fortunately, I have several credentials though and if nothing else, I could use my ESL credential and get a job.

Sorry this is happening. As much as I miss CA, I think now would not be the time to go back.

Dawn

One of my students just moved from CA and when she told me CC classes there only cost $50 I was in shock. I agree with you 100% about that causing students to not take it seriously enough since it's not a major investment. CC classes here cost about $300 each - not too expensive, but enough to cover costs and keep most students serious about being there.

 

[m&m's mom]

I work for a K-8 school district in CA. The board hasn't voted on the budget cuts yet, but they've posted their list of proposed cuts. They want to increase 3rd grade class size from 20 to 30, cut all district psychologists, cut elementary music and performing arts, decrease the custodial staff and other things I can't remember right now. The good news is that we have an educational foundation that was able to save the librarians. I work in special ed and so far, they haven't mentioned cutting any of our classes. I've been there for 8 years so I'm pretty high on the seniority list. If they cut any special ed aides, I would most likely still have a job. The other aide in my class is only in her 3rd year and she's a little nervous. It stinks all over the state!

WOW! I know you cannot do an accurate comparison but I live in TX and we have all the items that you posted are being considered slashing and we do not even have a state income tax.
Sad everyone is "feeing it" somehow.

 

[lillygator]

how are they choosing who gets in? I guess I am very confused as to how academics doesn't play a role. Meeting the requirements doesn't automatically get you into any college (not cc's). So they have 20 slots for incoming freshman, are they not choosing based on the best qualifications? Due to budget cuts they can't accept as many students prior?