Dropping Out?

<p>Hi, guys. I need some advice.</p>

<p>My school has gone to complete crap. The school board is cutting pretty much every class worth taking. If I went next year I'd basically be taking all electives and college-prep classes in my senior year, stepping down from the three AP's I took this year. Essentially it would be a giant waste of time and look like garbage on my college transcript.</p>

<p>I've been weighing a few options, like transferring or dual enrollment, but I think I'd like to drop out and do some sort of homeschooling on my own. I don't like the public school system very much. If I dropped out, got my GED, self-studied AP classes and took the tests, etc, could I still go to college? What would I have to do?</p>

<p>Right now George Washington University is my first college choice.</p>

<p>Thanks in advance.</p>

<p>Instead of doing a GED, why not look into an online school so you can really continue your high school education. A lot of them give you a lot of freedom but you still get your transcript, etc.</p>

<p>I don’t know why you would want the GED. It diminishes the education you have. A high school diploma (whether it’s from public, private, or homeschool) is worth far more than a GED.</p>

<p>You’ll have two transcripts, one from your public high school, and your homeschool transcript will complete your high school career.</p>

<p>Don’t confuse “dropping out” and getting your GED, with changing to homeschooling. They are two very different things. Yes, you can study for the AP classes and take the tests, but others here are knowledgeable about that (and I’m not).</p>

<p>It’s so pathetic when schools screw the kids in an effort to get sympathy for more tax dollars.</p>

<p>How do I homeschool myself? I’ve never really understood homeschooling. How does it work?</p>

<p>You can find curriculums online and follow them as a guide, buy the materials yourself and everything and simply teach yourself, watch videos, etc.</p>

<p>The laws for homeschooling vary from state to state, so you will want to do a little research to see what the laws are for your state. As for homeschooling and the AP issue, I have to say that my son has taken some AP classes online through PA Homeschoolers. You do not need to live in PA to take these online classes. This year he took AP Chemistry and the teacher was AMAZING!!! My son was as prepared for both the AP AND the SAT Subject test because the teacher made sure they knew the material AND the testing format. I suggest you take a look at PA Homeschoolers (they can be expensive) but they are well worth it, especially the chemistry!</p>

<p>You mention dual enrollment - I think that’s a great idea. But you can’t be “dual” enrolled if you’ve dropped out. Look into home schooling, with the local CC as a major curriculum provider, make a high school transcript (naming the CC as the provider of those classes) for homeschooling and list the CC classes on the transcript. Check your state laws and the colleges of interest to see what documentation and classes you need.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

<p>Continue high school and dual enroll. You can explain your situation to universities come application time.</p>