My son got academically dismissed from his first university. He wasted 10 years. There was mental health issues he was dealing with. After he stabilized he went to community college. My son started all over at a community college. He got his associates with a borderline 3.5 gpa. He was able to transfer into a new school for mechanical engineering. He's going to be 31 when he graduates.

My son told us two days ago he's planning on doing research with a professor. He kept going on about wanting to work on "nanoscale thermal transport". I asked him why he isn't looking for an internship? My told me he wants to do phd in mechanical engineering.

I was upfront that he's not meant. I told him he would be graduating late, struggled alot initially, and most likely wouldn't get in any where. I was honest is that he should just focus on graduating and getting a job.

My son got upset and told me that I was ignorant and putting him down.