Do homeschoolers go to Harvard?

Question

We're trying to decide if we should homeschool our children. Most local people I ask don't homeshool through high school. And those that do, don't have children that go to great colleges. I'd like to hear from parents who have homeschooled high schoolers or adults who have been homeschooled through high school. Did your children (or you) go on to a good college?

Answer 1

Harvard accepts homeschooled kids each year. If you make your children's education and overall development your priority, then homeschooling will be great for them.

Here's an article from 6 years ago: http://www.massnews.com/past_issues/2000/7_July/hschool.htm

Another article:
http://www.thecrimson.harvard.edu/printerfriendly.aspx?ref=512786

Answer 2

Yes. I am currently enrolled in a community college that has the toughest nursing program in our state (Texas). It is harder than even the universities. Employers around here like to hear that you are graduate of this college. I should also have no problems tranferring to a university. I considered Harvard. I took the IOWA basics to see where I stood and I scored in the top 5% of everyone my age who took it and I was in the top 5-8% for all subjects. Math was top 8%, science was top 2%. ENglish was 5%. I don't remember the rest. I really don't want to move to New England and go to Harvard though. I graduated homeschool high school a few years back. I guess you could say I am at a good college since the nursing program I am in is considered one of the hardest in the state, has a 95% passing rate for the NCLEX-RN (licensure test), and is accredited. Yeah I would say I am at an excellent college. Because I am at this college about any university I apply to (assuming I don't flunk out of every class I take here...which I don't do) will be willing to accept me. I had no problem. So yes I am doing fine, attending excellent colleges, and well on my way to the career I always wanted and I graduated homeschool high school. Viva la homeschool! Good Luck and I hope this helps!

Answer 3

i was homeschooled for 8 years, (i went to school my last year of high school because of a change in my family situation) when i know attend a university and am enrolled in the honor's college. a good friend of mine (and her sister) that i met through the honor's program was homeschooled her entire life. all three of us (as well as a couple other friends) have 4.0 gpa's.
now, there are some people that do not end up attending good colleges, but there are a lot that do. it simply depends on the individual and the chosen curriculum. homeschooling really helped me and i doubt that i would be where i am today if i hadn't been homeschooled.

Answer 4

I homeschool my children. My oldest son who is now 24 years old went on to get his degree in college and then to the police academy. My daughter is 16 and in the 11th grade and plans on attending Clemson University when she graduates. It has worked out great for my family. You would need to do what you feel is best for yours. There are organizations you can go through. We use SC Association of Independent Homeschoolers, and also have our own team of lawyers through the Home School Legal Defense Association. It's important to maintain good records and attendence. We also have our children tested with the SAT's with other children. The one on one experience has been so beneficial to the children. I've been in the homeschool system for 14 years now.

Answer 5

homeschooled kids get more help, and understand their work better. Colleges LOVE hoemschooled student, including Harvard. More and more parents are homeschooling now, and in some cities, they have groups were they get together w/ all their kids and meet twice a week or so. My cousin was in a homeschool graduation ceremony with 100 other kids, and they had a prom. See? Its not so bad

Answer 6

Homeschooled children not only can attend "good" colleges, but many "good" colleges are actively recruiting them!

Of course this doesn't mean that every homeschooled child is college ready and/or capable...just as not every public/private schooled child is college ready and/or capable.

I just love the anectodal evidence that is always being posted about the homeschooled children who don't succeed in their first attempt at college ..... of course it's true.....and do you have any idea what the drop-out rate is for non-homeschooled children??

At age 17-19,not all young adults are able to handle the demands of a residential post-secondary education - and that goes whether they are homeschooled or not!

For specific information on "good" colleges that take (and WANT) homeschooled students, please check out
http://www.hslda.org/docs/nche/000002/00000241.asp

Answer 7

Another opinion here!

We are a family that instructs our children at home. At this point, our children are not teens, but we more likely than not will educate our children through high school. We look at the society, and in regards to socialization, our children fair quite well. They are more positive, and interact better than those children of their age.

We are able and do expose our children to more than any school system; (that we could afford) will ever offer. There are no limitations. For example, in languages, our children have received instruction in Spanish, French, Latin and will get to German in a couple of years. My children play several musical instruments as well. In regards to history, our family travels to the locations of events in American History, such as Philly to see the Liberty Bell, etc.

Concerns about advanced courses are quelled because the numbers of homeschoolers are growing rapidly. This market is being met with several DVD/Video Curriculums. My children have opportunities that others in a public and some private settings will not. For example, my children will participate in swimming, bowling, soccer and golf. They will also take fencing as a part of their curriculum. We live close enough to D.C. to take advantage of all of the museums. Air and Space, Natural History, American Art Gallary, etc.. Our Children are well rounded, and are better prepared for the serious side of College. They will not know how to "party" and "rebel." That part of college life, we will suffer with our children's lack of knowledge for these things.

It is tough, but my opinion is that it is the best choice for us as a family.

As an Administrator in a school K-3 - 12, several of my students request to be homeschooled in the upper grades. Nothing beats that one-to-one classroom setting in that grade.

What we did was our homework. We searched through the curiculums the state offered, several private schools and what colleges expected, developed our own curriculum and the world and life became our classroom.

Anything can work if you are willing to commit to the process. It is not easy, but totally rewarding.

Answer 8

Yes, homeschoolers have gone to Harvard, Yale, etc. and on scholarships.

My daughter attends a good state university because of our financial situation. She wanted to go to a certain private school, but there is no way we could afford it.

Many homeschool children go to college, and I would say most do. They do very well overall.

Best Wishes,
Sue

Answer 9

I read the other posts and now will chime in as a student in the foundations of education. Homeschooling can be a viable form of education but it tends to lack many things. The best thing to do if you home school is to get involved in a family support group of home schoolers. Most of these groups are diverse enough in their experience to be able to trade off teaching certain topics and these groups are invaluable as sources of information and materials. Most colleges and universities do accept home schoolers. The key is to contact the schools and ask them about their admissions process for home schooled children. Even if your child is not ready for college yet, knowledge is power! Call the Ivy League schools if you feel that is what your child needs to make it in the world. Do not discount the quality of education offered at the major state research universities as well as regional, comprehensive universities. Also, a great many students go to four-year liberal arts colleges and are well prepared for professional school, graduate school, or a career. Most of those schools only offer the bachelors degree.
Homeschooling is still a growing area of education and there really is not enough data yet to predict their success in college. One person posted that she experienced home schoolers that were both good students and struggling students. The fact is that this is also true of students who go to traditional public and private schools as well. As for the people that always say public high schools are bad the truth is they are not all that bad. Many public schools perform as well as or outperform their private school counterparts. The only public schools that truly are struggling are in the inner cities or very rural areas of America.

To sum it up...do your own homework before you home school your children but do not be afraid to do it. You can always register them in school if you need to! Also, be sure you contact your state to check on what you have to do to be legal. In some states you have to register your home school as a school with the state. Other states require you fill out a form that has to be signed by your local school district in order for your children to not be considered truant from school. Remember, public education is a law. All children up until age 16 (18 in many states now) MUST be in school for so many days a year. So please be sure you check with your state board of education to protect yourself.

Answer 10

why shouldn't they? ultimately it's a child's individual choice.

i know a lot of homeschoolers who went through university or are going through it without a problem. best example is my sister, who was homeschooled all her life, did the new SAT 1 and 2 and entered Singapore's best university--currently a happy law student.

how unwavering a person's confidence and how persistent a person's perseverance will guarantee ANYONE, homeschooled or not, to fulfill their dreams in life.

Answer 11

Here is an article written about the Stanford University online high school EPGY.
http://news-service.stanford.edu/news/2006/april19/ohs-041906.html

So if Stanford is promoting a homeschool program they are obviously going to accept HSers