Homeschooling and college

As children grow out of their little pants and are ready to begin their teens, many parents wonder if they should continue with the homeschooling program. They fear that colleges may not give equal opportunities to a child educated at home.

Many fears of this kind were put to rest when 2 homeschooled boys got admission into Harvard. Harvard does not require a high school diploma for gaining admission to their degree program. Many colleges are more interested in the knowledge and behavior of the homeschooled children rather than their high school diplomas. In fact, other things being similar many colleges prefer homeschoolers because of the diversity and richness they bring to their college life.

Admission requirements may vary. While some colleges require the child to appear for the SAT, others may need a general equivalency diploma. And some may not care for any tests at all. The criterion may vary depending on the college that you wish to apply to. But, college courses really do not require any high school background or special training.

It is common to come across parents who frantically try to shift out their homeschool children to high schools because they fear unavailability of college admissions. But college admissions are open to all educated individuals, regardless of whether they are educated at home or at a public school.

If you are concerned that you can’t teach advanced courses, such as AP Physics or AP Calculus, or you don’t have the skills to teach a great composition class, some private high schools offer a homeschool support program that allows homeschool groups to sign up for one or two classes with very qualified teachers. Joining a homeschool support program at a private high school will also connect you with teachers who will be glad to write recommendation letters for good students.

Submitted by Dave Delgado, Headmaster
Cambrian International Academy

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