Abstract:
Many people believe homeschooling is a bad idea for kids for a number of reasons, but college admission professionals are helping to change that idea. Colleges are actively seeking homeschooled students, as they have discovered advantages to admitting these students.
A study conducted in March of 2016 found that 2.3 million American students are homeschooled. Parents are choosing this option for a number of reasons, including the ability to build a customized curriculum for each child, protection against schoolyard dangers such as school bullying or shootings, bond-building between family members, and the ability to accomplish more than public school students. Statistically, homeschooled students score up to 30 percent higher than peers who attend public or private schools, no matter the educational or income level of the parents. The same study cited statistics on the social maturity of the students, stating that it was the same as peers who attended traditional schools. What’s more, the research revealed that homeschooled students were more likely to participate in community events as adults, vote more often, and care more about the surrounding community than those in traditional education, on average (Ray, nheri.com).
According to the Harvard website, the Ivy League school is looking for students who have reached their full potential, have volunteered in their communities, possibly worked part-time jobs, have a clear direction and are interested in contributing to the community after college. The students must also have interest in contributing to the Harvard community and in improving themselves as individuals. There are no guidelines that state that a Harvard hopeful must receive a specific type of education, which means that homeschool students only need prove their good grades and their efforts for self-improvement through volunteer activities or job performances (Harvard.com).
In fact, Harvard has published a guide for homeschoolers to get into college on their website. It seems that homeschooling has been embraced by much more than just the “trendsetters” or religious communities, as it was in the last century. Colleges are noticing the excellence of not only the education of these students, but also the grit associated with homeschoolers and interactions with the community. Harvard states on their website that most Ivy League colleges are seeking out homeschooled children, adjusting admission policies to accept homeschoolers, and generally making it easier for a homeschooled child to enter college. As it has been proven that homeschooled children do well in school, the Harvard fact sheet states that a GED is no longer needed to get financial aid for school. The statistics sheet also argues that homeschooled high-schoolers get more college credits than traditional students, and are therefore better prepared for college (onlinecollege.org).
The statistics page, however, warns that proper records must be kept for college admissions. The downside of homeschooling is often human error; at times, parents forget to keep records properly or slack on getting the kids out into the public. What’s more, some areas are not conducive to homeschooling, which means a parent must become diligent and advocate for the child to participate in outside activities, gaining social skills and the self-building activities colleges like to see on applications. If a homeschooled child is denied admission to college, it is typically due to missing records, missed test dates such as a missing SAT score, or other mistakes in record-keeping and grade reporting (onlinecollege.org).
Colleges are also looking for homeschooled students because these students make the college look better. On average, these students score higher GPA’s than other students, as they often arrive at college with improved study habits. Statistics prove that these students are often in honors programs in both high school and college, and most are national merit scholars. Homeschooled students also tend to have higher graduation rates, with 66.7% of homeschooled students graduating college as compared to the 57.5% of traditional students who stay until the end.
While colleges are seeking out homeschooled children due to their advantages in school, there are some who claim disadvantages to homeschooling, and that it hinders a child’s chance to get into college. A popular teachers’ website, middleschool.net, reviews the possible disadvantages of homeschooling, including a possible disorganization by parents, a lack of motivation to finish materials, the actual cost of educating a child, and the patience necessary to teach a child. As the parent and child are with each other all day every day, a parent must be prepared for the frustration that can happen during homeschooling.
Sadly, many parents who try to homeschool give up due to frustration, costs, or an inability to actually teach the child in a way that the child understands the material. What’s more, if the parent does not keep proper records of the child’s education, and lacks the motivation to send test results to their state’s educational board, then the child is actually hindered by the homeschool experience (middleschool.net).
Evidence is overwhelming that homeschooling brings a great deal of advantages to young college hopefuls, but the parents must be honest about their ability to give the child all the necessary tools to be properly homeschooled. Researching homeschooling, reading about the experiences of those who have homeschooled, and applying an honest analyzation to the overall home life is essential in making this decision. Budgets, time constraints, and an honesty regarding everyone’s devotion to the idea must be considered in the decision to homeschool; attempting the practice “on a whim” will only hinder the child’s chances at getting into college.
Colleges are looking for homeschooled children, because they are statistically superior to traditional peers in the areas of academics, socialization, study habits, and well-rounded activities. In the past, homeschooled children had a tougher time getting into college, but those early pioneers on the homeschooled path have done well to prove that homeschooled kids make terrific college students. While some organizations still believe that homeschooling is a terrible idea, homeschool rates continue to rise. The percent of kids admitted to colleges after a homeschool education is also rising, and will continue to rise, as colleges actively seek out these students for acceptance.
It is a myth that these kids are not adjusted to society. It is a myth that they do not do well in college. It is also a myth that everyone should be homeschooled. While homeschooling is a wonderful experience, the parents must assess the reality of homeschooling to find out if it will truly work for the whole family. An improperly homeschooled child will have less chances of getting into any college. However, as it stands today, a homeschooled child has a choice of nearly any college in the nation.
Homeschooling is no longer a trend, it is a reality. It is becoming nearly as common as traditional schooling, with more support groups happening in more areas of the nation. These kids are getting into college, and they are succeeding with few disadvantages of the past. Parents who wish to homeschool must look into the possibility without worrying that their child will miss out on college opportunities.
Works Cited
"15 Key Facts About Homeschooled Kids in College." OnlineCollege.org. N.p., 14 Apr. 2015. Web. 03 Feb. 2017. <http://www.onlinecollege.org/2011/09/13/15-key-facts-about-homeschooled-kids-in-college/>.
Financial Aid, Admissions. "What We Look For." What We Look For | Harvard College. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Feb. 2017. <https://college.harvard.edu/admissions/application-process/what-we-look>.
Ray, Brian D., PHd. "Research Facts on Homeschooling." National Home Education Research Institute. N.p., 23 Mar. 2016. Web. 03 Feb. 2017. <https://www.nheri.org/research/research-facts-on-homeschooling.html>.
"The Homeschooler's Guide to Getting Into College." OnlineCollege.org. N.p., 22 Aug. 2013. Web. 03 Feb. 2017. <http://www.onlinecollege.org/2012/06/11/the-homeschoolers-guide-to-getting-into-college/>.
"The Negative Effects and Aspects of Homeschooling." Disadvantages of Homeschooling: The Negative Effects and Aspects of Homeschooling, Reasons Why Homeschooling is Bad. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Feb. 2017. <http://www.middleschool.net/negative-homeschooling.htm>.
