Will home schooling affect my future?

Question

I'm gonna be home schooled this year, but I'm not sure if it will affect me for the future. We've already enrolled me, so theres no turning back now...although I want to go back to high school for 10th grade.
I was wondering if jobs, colleges, etc, looks down of students who have been home schooled. Does it really make any difference how the child was educated as long as their doing some kind of schooling and making good grades? My mom told me some colleges and jobs may not take me because we're homeschooling. Is this true? Would it make any difference if I was home schooled for just a year?
Back in 7th grade I missed A WHOLE lot of school. And in 8th grade I only went about 3 days. My grades turned into F's all throughout 8th grade basically because I didn't go to school and a treacher came out and taught me, but all she taught me was pre-algebra and even though we had a lot of work to work on, it seems like it never got done. Do colleges and jobs look at that? Or just high school?

The reason I wasn't in school because I was suffering from social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, insomnia, and major depression. It was a tough time for me.

Answer 1

I'm sorry to read you've had such difficulties. That said, this is NOT something you need to worry about. Colleges are starting to see that many (not all, but most) homeschoolers are very bright, engaged in their communities, and self-motivated to learn and THAT'S what they look for in their applicants - someone who will be successful at their school.

For your part, you need to make the most of this awesome opportunity. You have the chance to really excel and show what you can do by making up for time lost. Focus on your studies and get caught up to where you should be. Then, start pulling ahead - it can be done. Many homeschoolers, by the time they graduate, are FOUR YEARS ahead of their public school peers!

BUT... don't be a workaholic anti-socialite. Get out in the community and give of yourself - volunteer at the local library, work with your county extension office in the field tracking endangered species, volunteer at the literacy council and help adults learn to read, go to the school for the blind and read for books on tape... the possibilities are endless and there's always opportunity in an area you are interested in.

Consider taking one class in a local homeschool co-op, that will get you involved with other teens. Join a gym or the YMCA and take gymnastics, swimming, aerobics, whatever interests you. You'll be amazed when you start looking at the opportunities that are available.

In a year or so, when you begin thinking about colleges you want to go to, start by asking them how they feel about homeschoolers - you may be surprised to find many actively recruit homeschoolers for the reasons I listed above. For more on homeschool and college, check out the HSLDA website in sources.

Colleges are only going to look at your high school records, not junior high. Employers will only be interested in high school (if you don't go to college) and college records. So move forward from here and don't look back - you can't change the past, but you can control your future!

Answer 2

If you are homeschooling for only a year, it will not make any difference. If anything, if they even bother to look at that information, which they probably won't, some will think it good that you took control of things to get yourself back on track.

If you are going to be graduating high school with a school diploma and you do your SAT's and everything, you will definitely have no problem whatsoever. Make sure you do your work this year, though and catch up. I've never had an employer look at my high school records, period, and university only cared about my grade 12 courses.

If your personal issues don't fade over the next year and you need to homeschool longer term, know that there are more and more colleges and employers who are more than willing to accept homeschoolers AND some who even seek out homeschoolers. I was talking to a mom the other day with a 16yo homeschooled boy. He'd been homeschooled since grade 1 or 2, something like that. Anyhow, he has a job at the moment, while working on finishing his diploma, with a construction company. The man has been so pleased with his work, and especially the flexible hours, that he's actually seeking out other homeschooled teens. Why? Because this boy was far more hard-working than a lot of the other people this man has hired, he hasn't been a slacker, he takes the initiative to find out what's next, so on. This is very common among homeschooled students because of the nature of their education--they use their drive to learn and do much more than many students sitting in various classes throughout the day. Not stuck to a specific schedule, a homeschooling student can work hard on math, finish a section in 30 minutes, which he might do in school, but because he can now move onto the next subject and get that done, instead of sitting around waiting until the bell rings, he's got a good work habit going.

So, take this year to develop a good work habit and deal with your issues. Know that when you are ready to graduate in 4 years, the climate will be even more favourable for homeschooled students, so don't worry about the homeschooling.

Answer 3

So much depends on you, the state you live in, and what you hope to do after you graduate. Keep in mind that if you hope to return to public school, the High School will require you to have the background of the classes that you would have taken in Jr. High. They will require transcripts (records) that show all the material that you covered, and will want a few examples of your writing. If you are not doing the work, and have nothing to show the high school next year, you may not be able to attend high school, possibly not even as a Freshman. Homeschooling can be a good experience if you are willing to work, and your mom keeps good records of what you are doing, and makes sure that you are covering all the basic subjects that are required in your school system in your state. Some schools might not accept home schooled students, but Harvard does. So do most state schools. But competition is stiff, so you need to do the work and do well studying at home.

Some community colleges have programs for home schooled students that allow them to attend class one or two days a week for labs or for discussions. They will work with the high school so you can earn credit for those classes. Since you are planning to go back into the system, you might look into something like that. Certainly your mom will want to meet with someone at the school to let them know you plan on attending there next year so she can find out exactly what the other kids are covering in order to create lesson plans to encompass everything you will need to learn to attend HS next year.

My daughter started getting horrible migraine headaches in 6th grade, and would miss 3 to 4 days at a time. She could just never get caught up, and the stress caused her to have more headaches. We began homeschooling in 7th grade. It has worked out well since she can work while lying on the sofa when she is not feeling well. She is in 10th grade this year.

Answer 4

Hi friend,

I was homeschooled most of elementary school and 9th/10th grade. I did Running Start 11th/12th grade, and graduated from my local high school with a h.s. diploma. (You can also earn your GED). I graduated from college last year, and begin a masters program next week.

In terms of colleges, it is important that you have a transcript to show potential colleges that you are a successful student. Even if your j/high grades weren't good, you can start clean at a new school. I'd recommend going back to your local high school for at least your last two years, if possible. If your parents don't like that idea, and want you to stay homeschooled, I'd recommend checking with the high schools in your district to see if they offer classes for homeschooling students. Yes, you heard right! Some high schools allow homeschooling students to enroll part-time in classes through the high school for academic credit (I personally took math and science classes -- my two worst subjects, but it sure helped to have the guidance of a professional).

As for jobs, they don't really care (at least PT, entry-level positions). I had no trouble finding work as a homeschooled teen. It's really college degrees that employers care about (and you can trust me on that also -- I do background checks on job applicants, so I literally review dozens of job applications every day from all demographics nation-wide).

... Okay, that's about it, I think. I hope this helps you! :)

Answer 5

Yes, it will affect your future.

As seen through the eyes of potential colleges and universities, it is almost the equivalent of dropping out for a year, because one of the things they need to know when they accept a student is whether or not the student can handle the classroom environment.

I am sorry that you suffer from these disorders, but I would urge you to rethink the home-schooling and see if there is any way possible that you can go to a regular high-school. With counselling, the right supports, a little "give" from the teachers, and maybe even medication if needed may be the best course of action.

While it is no more your fault that you have these disorders, as it is for those who have a physical disability, you owe it to yourself to try to live a life as normal as possible, and leave as many opportunities open to yourself as you can. Never give up, and develop the mindset that "I will fight", "I will succeed", "I will not be beaten", "I will AGGRESSIVELY treat my disorders", "I will accept the outcome of my best efforts."

Not trying to lecture you, but I know what you're talking about and would hate to see you become defined by your disorders, because there is more to you than that!

All the best.

Answer 6

Yes it will affect your future opportunities and college choices. But for the better. There are a growing number of colleges and institutions that PREFER homeschooled students. Besides at home the possibilities are endless. There are no limits to what you can achieve or learn. It is all up to you. And you sound like you are determined to run with the best of them. My 6 homeschooled children graduated at age 14 and was out of college by age 18. Best of luck.

Answer 7

Homeschooling is not a bad thing it is just about the same as going to school except you do not recieve the hands on interaction with the other students and most visual aid you would have recieved from your teacher. As long as you have a good teacher for homeschooling then it will be fine. Colleges look at your GPA from your highschool so as long as you have an average and above average GPA then they will accept you. Job only make sure you have aleast a highschool diploma.

Answer 8

If you are home schooled all you have to do is have a portfolio. So like show your SAT scores, take some AP classes, and whatever you are interested in do some volunteer work with that.

If you do it right home schooling can actually be an advantage when you're looking at colleges because there's a million kids who have an A average in history, but if you're the only one who's actually done something like interned at a museum that's more impressive.

All that colleges want are smart people, they don't care how you got that way.

Answer 9

Statistically, home schooled kids are smarter and get better grades. School is a highly overrated social drama that scars many people for life with their favoritism, same program for everyone,and lack of individual thought. In the end all it produces are little cookie cutter drones to work at fast food joints. If they look down on you, claim discrimination. Lots of people home school due to their belief system or religion. They can't discriminate against that.

Answer 10

It'll definitely affect your future. Whether for good or bad depends on you. I have found that many colleges like homeschooled students, because they are generally very hard-working and self-motivated. If you work hard while you are homeschooled it will help you tremendously and it will show when you take college entrance exams.