Why colleges should want homeschoolers

Let's face it, getting in to college can be a daunting task.  One of the perks of being in public school in high school is that you have the assistance of guidance coucelors to help you with making decisions and getting your transcripts done.  But what if you are a homeschooler?  Do you feel intimidated by not having the name of "real" school behind you?  Do you think that colleges and universities - particularly the big name ones - are going to overlook you because you are a homeschooler?

Sadly, that used to be the case.  Many colleges did not want homeschoolers because they feared that the students were not as educated as their public school counterparts.  Actually, the opposite is true.  Home school moms tend to be very thorough in their children's education; mostly in fear that they will miss something important and so they go above and beyond in their pursuit of a topic.  In public school, for example, students will do a unit study on our state.  They will spend a short time each day doing several activities to support what they are learning and within a few weeks, they will move on.  In a typical home school, not only will the topic be studies (via books and internet research) but then field trips will be taken, activities will be performed, arts and crafts will be made all to support the topic.  In our homes we are not working under the same time constraints as the public schools.  We can study a topic until we feel ready to move on.

Another fear that colleges used to have was that homeschool students could not learn from anyone other than their parents.  It was felt that these students were incapable of being able to learn from someone else.  Actually, most high school aged home schoolers are self taught.  They are able to take a text book, open it up, read about a new concept and actually do the work without the aid of mom.  Also, with the opportunity of dual enrollment at the local community colleges, students do have the opportunity to learn under other teachers.  And finally, there is still the presence of co-ops, enrichment classes, extra-curricular activities and the like that most have been exposed to throughout their time being home schooled.  In college, it is all about being self-motivated to learn and work.  Professor's are not as readily available as the teacher's were in school.  Homeschool kids have the upper hand in that they are already familiar with being able to work on their own. 

Whether you are a parent of a homeschooler or a public school student, applying for college is the same.  The beauty of being the parent of a homeschooler is that you genuinely know all about your child's education and what they have learned.  Don't be intimidated by big universities or feel like your child cannot apply.  Many home schoolers go on to said-named universities and even on to military academies like West Point - and they succeed!

So go ahead, apply to the school that you always dreamed your child would go to.  Take pride in the fact that your child was homeschooled and can teach himself in an environment where it is imperative that he learn to work independently.  Colleges are looking for you!