YES! There are colleges for B and even C students!

For the many high school students who haven’t earned straight A’s, the message from counselors and admissions officials is this: Don’t despair! Your options are many.

Given that the average acceptance rate at four-year colleges and universities is about 64 percent, mid-range students will find lots of good options that welcome solid students who’ve demonstrated their motivation to learn. For 2014: U.S. News ranks more than 300 of them.

Most colleges and universities are happy to work with students who have a good work ethic and have taken difficult classes that earned them a B. Feedback from enrollment professionals shows that many of these students don’t remain B students when they choose the right college. And, a New York Times article points out that certain colleges like to enroll B-C students because these students are the ones that will actually work harder because they feel appreciative that they’re able to get into a four-year college. It’s worth it for the student to develop a sound college search strategy for finding the best fit for them.

Find a college where you will thrive

Martha O’Connell, executive director of Colleges That Change Lives, a nonprofit group that educates students and counselors about focusing on fit rather than prestige says that the goal is “not just to be admitted, but to be admitted someplace where you can successfully do the work.” For many students, the best fit might be a small college where they can develop a close relationship with a faculty mentor; for others, it might mean an emphasis on internships or co-op education. As well, applying students who have struggled with the SAT or ACT can consider the hundreds of colleges that are test-optional or use scores only for advising or placement purposes.

Good advice from the professionals

If you’ve stumbled academically, consider being upfront about blemishes on your record. Here’s some sage advice: “Having grades of C or below in your transcript is not the kiss of death,” says Amy Greenwald Foley, senior associate director of undergraduate admissions at the University of Delaware. But “having grades of C or below and not acknowledging them can be.” It’s important for students to communicate what they’ve learned from the experience and how they improved (or will), and not make excuses or blame a teacher. A letter of recommendation from the instructor who has witnessed the struggle might do the job best. He or she can talk about the student’s work ethic, study skills and dedication. It’s important for students to clearly demonstrate that they have placed themselves on a trajectory that suggests that they’re moving in a direction that’s going to allow them to succeed in college.

Bottom line: be encouraged and let us know how we can help!