A few questions about trade schools and community colleges?

Question

I have a 17-year-old son who is rather willful and obnoxious and who managed to get himself kicked out of high school. He seems to be beginning to grow out of all that now, and he definitely wants to 'do something' with his life. My problem is, I'm not sure how to help / guide him. In general, would he better off attending and completing trade school or would he be better off having community college credits? And, if trade school is the answer for now (he's a bright kid, and I'm hoping he will indeed try for college when he's finished growing up) is there an organization that reliably accredits trade schools? I don't want to see him take on debt for a worthless pursuit. (We're blue-collar poor folks :D)

Any help and advice is sincerely appreciated - thank you!

Answer 1

Getting a trade prior to advanced education is a win-win. It is never a bad thing to be able to fall back on a trade if things fall apart in the future. Whether or not your son has the maturity for college vs trade school is something you would know but as long as they are accredited and he pulls the grades any debt he takes on will pay off in the long run.

Trade schools are accredited by several regional and national accrediting bodies. The U.S. Department of Education lists an array recognized organizations on their website, including the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC) and the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT).

http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/a...

http://www.detc.org/

http://www.accsct.org/

(((IWF)))

Answer 2

(((((IWF)))))

I don't know how it is in the states, but here in Canada, you get credit as a "mature student" when entering college after taking a break from High school. The only requirement here for getting into college here is Grade 12 English. Adults here can take that in a few weeks of night school. But I'm pretty sure there is some concession made even for that.

Academic Universities (like your colleges there) might be alittle more stringent.

I suppose the first thing you need to do is contact you local trade school and community college and find out what's required. Even your local high school guidance department should be able to answer a few questions for you. Your son would definitely benefit from some local community volunteerism as well. That goes a long way on an entrance application.

Wish I could be more help. These are the kinds of questions from my friends below the 49th that always frustrate me - because I want so much to help but only know my side of the story :(

hope yous can work it out soon.

love

rammie

Answer 3

Well, you know my answer. I gotta troll tagging along with me the last couple of days, dangit.

Answer 4

Trade schools are not bad.  My husband went to trade school for carpentry many years ago, although he never really needed to use this to get a job throughout the years, it has saved us tons of money in home repairs.

The only thing with trade schools (in my area) that I have a problem with is that the credits are not transferable to a college or university of any kind. (or visa versa.)

Good Luck!!

**EDIT   The trade schools that I have personally looked into lately are MORE expensive by several thousands of dollars for the same degree (nursing) then our local community college.