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1. Is Your Kid a Homeschool Millionaire?

a. How early is it realistically possible to attend college?
b. How early is best for my student to attend college?

There have been numerous documented cases of students attending college before they’ve reached double-digits in age, but these are rare cases, and certainly not the norm. If a student has completed the necessary requirements to graduate high school, there is nothing to keep him from attending the local university, unless they have a minimum age requirement. (Always check with the admissions department of the intended school to verify their specific requirements.)

So the answer to the first part of the question, “how early is it realistically possible to attend college?” is as soon as the student has met the necessary academic requirements for high school graduation, as opposed to a certain age.

Now, just because a student can attend at such an early age doesn’t necessarily mean that he should. The college years are a time of growth and maturation, a time when most students are on their own for the very first time, away from mom and dad, and the rules and regulations that go along with living at home. Because of this, and also because the majority of their peers will be in the traditional college age range of 18-24, I would recommend against it before age 16 or so.

Statistically, few students below this age can handle the many pressures and influences thrust upon them for the first time in college, especially if living on campus in a dormitory environment. Although many students at this age can handle the academic rigors of college, psychologically it’s not recommend, as they will have missed out on the high school developmental years that play a huge part in college preparation.

All of this aside, every student is different, and you’ll need to make the decision based upon your own child’s needs and abilities. If your student is on pace to graduate early, have him take dual enrollment courses to get a feel for the college environment before making the jump to a four-year university with on-campus living. Part-time work in conjunction with online courses are another option. Finally, remember that the high school years are a great time to volunteer or cultivate a hobby that can provide enjoyment for years to come, as well as possible business ideas for a future career.

A rigorous homeschool curriculum is always recommended, but make sure to balance it with extra-curriculars that will round out your student. Balance is the name of the game. A well rounded student will be the most prepared for college along with whatever else life can throw at him!

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I just found a website that lists their top 100 reference tools for homeschoolers, ranging in categories from General Reference, Reading, Writing & Research, Math, Science, History & Government, Geography, and Search Engines for specific topics. This is a great list. One that I wish was available when I was being homeschooled. You can view the whole list of resources here.

Another excellent resource is College Confidential, a forum for high school college preparation.  They have one section specifically for homeschoolers that offers sound advice on many topics homeschoolers have questions about.

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I downloaded the material and although it was good, it was all things I had heard before. The questions I am asking now are is it better to take AP classes or Honors? Does it look better on a college transcript to have attended a junior college for credits the junior and/or senior year or is it just as good to have taken Honors classes?

It is good information and useful for some I am sure. We have done so many of the steps that I am looking for more details. Merry Christmas!

As with most things when it comes to what colleges prefer, it really depends on the college. Some schools will accept Honors/AP credits, but will not accept high school dual enrollment courses taken at another school, whether community college or state university. (These are generally your top tier/Ivy League schools.) Even though that could be the case, your student will not be looked at adversely if he has taken dual enrollment courses, since these are college level classes that “prove” he can make the grade in college. (Assuming of course that he did “make the grade” that was required to pass the course.)

As far as which looks better on a transcript, that would depend on if the student has taken the AP test and passed it along with taking the course(s). If a student has taken the class but not the test, or if his scores are below the requirements for college credit (usually a minimum of a 3 or 4 needs to be achieved), then his transcripts will not be as well received as the student who has excellent dual enrollment scores on his transcript.

My final recommendation as always is to check with your student’s potential school(s) to see which they prefer, as it can and will vary from university to university.

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1. I Will Survive…The Homeschool Version

Isn’t it interesting that amid all of the public school shootings over the past few years, the only comment that opponents of homeschooling can come up with is the red herring of “socialization”? You may have noticed, there haven’t been shootings at private schools, or shootings inside of the homes of homeschooled children.

Opponents of homeschooling can’t complain about average test scores, since homeschooled children consistently outscore public school children, so they instead make a problem that doesn’t exist.

Who is responsible for creating this “socialization” problem? This myth has been perpetrated by sociologists, psychologists, public school administrators, the NEA (and local teacher’s unions), etc., whenever they comment on homeschooling to the news media. These are the same people who give Ritalin (a very strong narcotic) and other drugs to schoolchildren, in place of discipline.

A family member asked my wife, “Aren’t you concerned about his (our son’s) socialization with other kids?”. My wife gave this response: “Go to your local middle school, junior high, or high school, walk down the hallways, and tell me which behavior you see that you think our son should emulate.” Good answer.

In order for children to become assimilated into society properly, it is important to have a variety of experiences and be exposed to differing opinions and views. This enables them to think for themselves and form their own opinions. This is exactly what public education does not want; public education is for the lowest common denominator and influencing all of the students to share the same views (“group-think”) and thought-control through various means, including peer-pressure.

Homeschooling allows parents the freedom to associate with other interested parties, visit local businesses, museums, libraries, etc. as part of school, and to interact with people of all ages in the community. For example, my son goes on field trips with other homeschooling families in our community. He recently was able to visit an audiologist, a McDonald’s restaurant (to see how they run their operation), and several other similar activities. He gets to meet and talk to people of different ages doing interesting (and sometimes not so interesting) occupations. He spends a lot of his free time with kids older and younger than himself, and adults from twenty to over ninety years old.

Meanwhile, in public school, children are segregated by age, and have very little interaction with other adults, except their teacher(s). This environment only promotes alienation from different age groups, especially adults. This is beginning to look like the real socialization problem.

My wife and I like to bring our son with us when we are visiting with friends and other adults. How else will he learn to be an adult, if he never has contact with adults? He knows what kind of behavior we expect from him, and the consequences of his actions. He is often complimented on his good manners by friends and adults.

In conclusion, homeschooling parents choose to homeschool for a variety of reasons, but I have never heard any homeschooling parent say that the reason they want to homeschool is to isolate their child from all of society. But, it probably wouldn’t be a bad idea for homeschooled children to stay away from public school administrators, the NEA members, sociologists, and others who cannot properly “socialize” with children.

Go to your local public school, walk down the hallways and see what behaviors you would want your child to emulate.

The above article was taken from a piece written 10 years ago by Manfred B. Zysk, a homeschooling father from Idaho. It was originally posted at Lew Rockwell.com, December 16, 1999.

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