| When you first decide to homeschool your child, it | | | | skills that are gained from homeschooling and it's also |
| can be overwhelming. All sorts of questions abound: | | | | the best place to show the independent thinking and |
| what should we study; how; am I qualified? After | | | | maturity that often results from staying out of the |
| you've gotten yourself into a routine, though, many | | | | traditional school setting. Since homeschoolers tend to |
| of those uncertainties seem to fade away as you | | | | be surrounded by adults more than children, they |
| and your child discover the world together. However, | | | | often demonstrate an ability to relate to the college |
| after you've been at it for a few years, you're | | | | environment more easily than a traditional student |
| bound to notice that your child is reaching the age | | | | who has been indoctrinated in deference to authority |
| where people start asking about college. | | | | and obedience to random rules designed to handle |
| That opens up a whole new can of worms for a | | | | the herd. |
| homeschooler, and a whole new set of questions pop | | | | The fact is, the college life is a lot different from a |
| up. Will my homeschooler get into a good college? Will | | | | high school atmosphere. Most courses a student will |
| admissions officers look negatively on the | | | | take throughout their postsecondary education |
| homeschooling experience? Will my child fit in with the | | | | require few prerequisites that don't come directly |
| other students who are coming from a traditional | | | | from the college experience. A high school course in |
| school environment? The list is practically endless! | | | | history is quite different from one in university: high |
| However, as most homeschooling parents are | | | | school courses are designed to teach facts and basic |
| pleasantly surprised to discover, homeschooling | | | | skills, while a college course is designed to teach |
| doesn't work against your child when it comes time | | | | theories and independent thought. |
| for college. In fact, many of the nation's top schools | | | | The one aspect of the college admissions process |
| seek out homeschooled students because of their | | | | that your homeschool student may miss out on is |
| diverse learning experiences and broad knowledge | | | | some of the scholarship opportunities. Many of the |
| base! The admissions process may be a little different | | | | sports or club scholarships require participation in a |
| for homeschoolers, who may or may not have | | | | high school environment. However, there are many |
| completed many of the standardized tests that are | | | | scholarships available that aren't tied to these |
| offered in traditional school settings. | | | | activities, or will accept participation in community |
| Many of the top schools take the time to interview | | | | teams or clubs as equivalent. Make sure that you put |
| every student they are considering for acceptance. | | | | the same effort into researching your college |
| An interview is the best place for the homeschooler | | | | applications that you do into creating your |
| to shine. It's a chance to show all the knowledge and | | | | homeschool experience. |