Complicated Situation

“Just a little worried about fitting in as a 20 or 21 year old freshman which it looks like will be the case at this point.”

I was a 20-year-old freshman and later a 22-year-old junior transfer going through orientation with freshmen. Nobody knew, and when I told them, they didn’t care (unless they wanted me to buy beer). It was way, way less of an issue than I expected. You progress socially through experience, not through orbiting the sun. If you’ve had a similar amount of social experience as the other freshmen, you’ll probably feel on a level footing with them.

Look into whether there’s a “middle college” program in your area - these are alternative high school programs based at community colleges, which offer a blend of their own programming combined with enrollment in regular CC classes.

Also explore options for partial homeschooling. My daughter had friends who were enrolled at her public high school part time - primarily for arts electives and EC’s - and did their core academics online. That could make things more efficient for you while solving the loneliness problem. Make sure you’re finding out about all of the homeschooling/online programs available for free through your school district! If your medical problems aren’t fully resolved, it may be that you can make a case for a part time hybrid model as medically necessary, and your school will need to accommodate you accordingly.

@powercropper @Hanna Thank you for the reassurance! I know I’m on my own path but it can be hard seeing people I know have a more “typical” path.

@aquapt Medical issues are chronic so I did have an IEP. I am meeting tomorrow with a counselor from the Adult Diploma Program and seeing if I can dual enroll with them. If not will look into dual enrollment through my public school. My mom doesn’t want to do homeschooling.

Even if all of your course work is at the community college (i.e. so that she does not have to be the teacher)?

@ucbalumnus She would rather I do dual enrollment through the Adult Diploma Program or my old school district. Actually she wants me to do the Adult Diploma Program but I don’t think it’s the best option.

Be careful about enrolling in college. An Adult Diploma program might not be considered dual enrollment. Some 4 year colleges classify students who’ve taken college courses outside of high school as transfer students. That makes them ineligible for freshman grants.

I’m also hesitant about the Adult Diploma. You need to be careful it’s not only accepted by your college targets (some won’t accept a GED, eg,) but that it makes you a competitive candidate. If anyone looks at the Mass AD program, a big purpose is to give kids a high school diploma, for those whose job opps or other depend on that. I’m wondering if it’s considered sort of “terminal degree,” versus an indication of actual college readiness.

If I’m reading the OP correctly, you are actually missing two full years of high school work, that learning, stretching, and prep for college. Imo, that’s your first priority. Whatever college you eventually land at, you want to be prepared.

Nothing wrong with online- except the attention on it right now, based on the admissions scandal. Imo, you’d want to ensure everything lines up- you get the course experieces, the grades, the scores…and super LoRs from teachers.

Agree, age won’t matter. Best to you.

I have done no direct teaching for my high school children. I turn in an Intent to Homeschool form to my state each year. My kids attended either high school homeschool classes taught and graded by outside teachers, or dual enrollment classes at local colleges.

One child was enrolled in a state accredited homeschool program that took care of all paperwork. Colleges viewed my D as having graduated from a private school, and no extra paperwork for me.

My S ended up leaving the accredited homeschool program to do dual enrollment only. He was tired of the small rules and regulations of the homeschool program (which covered K-12 grades). That is where his age gap showed up. He wanted to focus on learning, but had to dress to conform to school dress code. Had to sit still and ask permission to leave lunchroom, etc. Rules are needed to control large number of students, but the older you get, the sillier these rules seem.

S is going to graduate as an unaccredited homeschooler, and i will have a small amount of paperwork. In my state (Georgia) i could easily hire someone to do all the paperwork for me if I had no time or interest.

If you can tell us what state you are in, i can help you navigate the state laws for homeschooling. I understand your parents concern about time and effort needed to document your homeschool education. I suggest you find out exactly what is needed, and if there are homeschool groups to help you.

“You need to be careful it’s not only accepted by your college targets (some won’t accept a GED, eg,)”

You’re aware of colleges that don’t accept GEDs as a matter of policy?

@austinmshauri I definitely want to be considered as a freshman for merit money. I am talking to the director today about my options. I will probably end up doing dual enrollment through my high school though.
@lookingforward When we first looked into it they said most people go to community college after. Only one person went to a four year school recently. My mom was thinking that my scores and GPA from first two years, along with my story would get me in, but I am just not sure and don’t really want to take that chance. From emailing and talking to some schools, they will take it but it’s not as competitive. I don’t really want to do online because I liked being in a classroom and want to develop relationships with teachers for LORs.

@powercropper I am in MA. Homeschool group from when I was homeschooled in elementary school is now an “unschooling” group which doesn’t really fit my needs.
@Hanna the colleges I’ve looked at so far seem to accept it. It doesn’t mean I’m a competitive candidate.

I’ve realized that most students in the Adult Diploma Program from high school had three years instead of two like I did because you have to be 18. So that’s another issue we didn’t realize when we first looked into it.

There are some homeschool programs that offer interactive online classes that would allow you to get to know teachers and other students. I have friends whose kids met friends that way. They kept in touch outside of class the same way kids in regular school do today and they would meet in person while travelling, etc.

Interactive online classes and/or dual enrollment would work for a motivated student with minimal parental involvement.

Massachusetts is supposed to be one of the more difficult states to homeschool in. Could that be why the OP’s mom doesn’t want to do it?

Hanna, sure, most accept the GED. But my advice is to be certain.

Right now. OP doesn’t have a list of colleges or even a true record. So I see it as that’s where we start. Classes, the work, the ECs. So many sites that discuss GED include that this certification is only the beginning of what it then takes to get the admit.

And as OP is clearly bright, not just choosing the simplest path, but the right one. In fact, once back in classes. OP could exceed her present goals.

Homeschool with DE sounds fine.

@MACmiracle My mom works full time at a demanding job, so she doesn’t have time to do homeschooling.

@lookingforward I have started a list of colleges, but it is small and mostly safeties so far. I posted in the search and selection thread for some more ideas and have gotten some good suggestions. What do you mean by true record?

Your mother wouldn’t be homeschooling - you would. At the high school level, you would handle most of the details, not your parents. Homeschooling or and Adult Diploma could both be good options, if you validate your grades through standardized tests like SAT subject tests. It would be best to identify a few local colleges (within that 2 hour radius) that interest you, and speak with the admissions director to find out how they would treat your application. With holistic admissions you could even be at an advantage, because you may be seen as a more interesting candidate.

@CTScoutmom I have talked to some colleges about the Adult Diploma Program. Some are open to it, and some are saying it won’t make me a competitive candidate. That’s why I’m thinking dual enrollment is probably a good option. I am hoping holistic admissions looks at my unique journey and that helps me. Thank you for the input!

We understand your mom can not TEACH you subject material. Dual Enrollment as a Homeschooler will not require a Parent doing any teaching. Your professors will teach and give you grades. This Outside, independent grading will be good for your college application.

MHLA.org is your state’s homeschool association. They can help you walk through your state’s laws about documenting your homeschool journey. There are multiple, small homeschool groups throughout your state. So you don’t have to attend the unschooling group you don’t mesh well with. The MHLA group can help point you to the groups that are near you and hopefully you can find one that meets your needs. But even if you don’t find a small, local group, you can contact the MHLA group directly and get answers to your homeschooling questions.

Small, local homeschool groups are great for new homeschool families, families with young children who want to get together and form study groups or play groups. A high schooler doesn’t have to belong to a homeschooling group, if you have other groups of friends you can do things with.

You sound like you are smart and committed to getting the best possible education. Put in some effort to find out what paperwork your mom will need to sign and show her your plan for Dual Enrollment as a Homeschooler.

Also, be sure to register with the disabilities office at whatever college you end up taking Dual Enrollment. It is a safety net for you in case your chronic condition flares up. Better to have it in place and not need it, then to need it and have to navigate the disabilities paperwork when you are in the middle of a health crisis.