<p>My daughter has been homeschooled since fourth grade, and is now a junior in high school. We aren't part of a homeschool group in the community and don't generally socialize much at all, so she's obviously going to be in for some new experiences in college. She does get out for music lessons and equestrian lessons weekly, and is applying for a work study program with a government agency for her senior year. </p>
<p>My question is this: I'm concerned that the first year in college will be hard enough without the added difficulties of being away from home and adjusting to a lot more social interaction, so I thought it would be best for her to attend Georgia Regents University Augusta for one, or possibly two years, and then transfer to a different college to finish her BS--she plans for a degree in physics, but isn't sure what exactly her specialty will be just yet.</p>
<p>However, will it be more difficult for her to be accepted to another college as a transfer student? Will her opportunities for financial aid be fewer as a transfer student? Is it just better all around to plan to attend one college for four years if at all possible?</p>
<p>I think (potentially) the most important question you ask is #2. The vast majority of scholarships are targeted to freshman applicants, certainly all the big $ ones.</p>
<p>I agree with NavalTradition; however, many people will tell you that it works well to do the first two years at a community college that has an established articulation agreement–I think that’s what it is called–with one or more 4-year colleges. How that would affect the chances of FA, I don’t know. </p>
<p>Whether that is a good solution for your D depends on her academic needs and on the quality of the CCs available to her–they vary widely. Some CCs cater largely to students who could barely squeak through HS in low-level classes, while some also serve very bright students who have run out of options at their HS. Frankly, I doubt that most people who major in physics would be very happy at a CC.</p>
<p>I would suggest looking into ways that your D can begin to move beyond the home environment NOW, while applying to a range of schools. You don’t know how much she will have matured by May of next year. Around here, homeschooled kids can take courses at the local branch of the State U, for example. Why not have your D do that next semester?</p>
<p>Was there a specific reason her homeschooling life was as sheltered as it was? I fear that you kept her sheltered and now your solution is to keep her wings clipped.</p>
<p>Thank you everyone for the replies. Specific responses follow:</p>
<p>@NavalTradition, Clear and concise, and I appreciate that. :-)</p>
<p>@Erin’s Dad, Good point!</p>
<p>@Consoloation, I think you make good points as well, especially about CC. I don’t think she’d be happy at CC. Georgia Regents U isn’t CC, but…it may not be THAT far off, all things considered. Also good points on getting her out and more involved now, which we are already pursuing.</p>
<p>@Pizzagirl, No specific intent to keep her sheltered, it’s just a result of how we are as a family. My husband and I are not very social people, and we have lived separated from other family members for 20 years. We do things together, but not with other people or families. I pulled my daughter from the DoD elementary school in Germany when we were stationed there because it was not the right environment for her (she had attended a German Kindergarten and an international school before that, but the DoD school was the only option that year and for the rest of the years we were overseas), and we’ve been happily homeschooling ever since.</p>
<p>ETA: In the end, I’m not into clipping wings; I am, however, looking to ease that transition from the quiet homeschool, not very social environment to college life. We all know there are some rocky times ahead, but I wouldn’t do things differently if I had to do them again. :-)</p>
<p>I think the chances of success for her at a college away from home will depend largely on her feelings about it. If she wants the four-year college experience and feels confident about it, it will probably work. If she is unsure of herself and hates the idea of living away, it may be more difficult. I would let her take ownership of this decision. Just let her know she has your full support either way. Show confidence in her abilitiy to navigate college life, even if you have doubts. </p>
<p>There are many nurturing small colleges out there that might be a good transitional experience for her. From what you describe, a huge state school might be overwhelming.</p>
<p>Our DD went to small, private school and then to a hybrid homeschool one day a week school for high school. She spent hours at dance company and working fast food job, youth group and friends. Her senior year she dual enrolled at a small public college, and it was a great experience for her. The college itself is only a few years old, and relatively small in comparison, so it seemed more like a community college feel. Attending there gave my DD the confidence to know she could handle college level work, and a chance to spread her wings a bit. </p>
<p>She is a freshman now at a small private LAC that focuses on “intentional community.” It is a residential campus, where 90% of students live on campus all four years. That focus generates community, and students engage in relationship building. I would encourage you to find a 4 year college where the “fit” seems right for your daughter. It takes time to build relationships, and going somewhere short term doesn’t give incentive to reach out and plant roots. There are tons of colleges, and all the places we visited were very homeschool friendly. (We were not looking at TOP tier schools, instead looking for schools where her great but not tippy top stats would bring more merit aid.) If you can connect with Honors Programs that is another community to “belong” to.</p>
<p>There are so many options, I encourage you to visit, visit, visit. Ask others you know where their kids are going to school, and get real life recommendations. Stay overnight in dorms, go to special community wide events, and read the school papers and bulletin boards. Ask what percentage of students are homeschoolers. How do your child’s stats compare to the school stats? Do the students all go home every weekend (a “suitcase” college) or do they hang around and enjoy events on campus?</p>
<p>Listen to your daughter’s opinions. What is she looking for in a college? Does she want city setting or rural campus? Concrete or grass? Bicycles or shuttle bus? Small or large student body? Intramurals? Marching Band? Get her involved. If she has no clue, then visit some of each type of campus.</p>
<p>Best of luck to you, and PM me if you have any specific questions.</p>
<p>For me small is under 2000, huge is over 10,000. (Talking undergrads here.) My kids liked schools with 5000-7000 undergrads - medium size research universities with the option to take graduate level classes when appropriate. Has your child ever gone to sleepaway summer camp or anything similar? I agree with the advice that she try overnight visits to a variety of campuses and see what she thinks. My kids hated tiny colleges, but loved Caltech (even the non math guy). They didn’t even want to look at the giant state schools - they had no interest in football, marching bands or all the rest of the hoopla that plenty of kids appreciate. In your shoes I’d be looking for opportunities for her to get out in the community more than it sounds like she has so far.</p>
<p>@powercropper, Thank you for your reply! I’ve been looking into dual enrollment options as well. I’d say my daughter falls into the “has no clue” what she wants department at the moment, so we have some research to do. </p>
<p>@mathmom, those numbers help greatly. She has been away at summer camp when she was younger, and honestly, she pretty much didn’t want to do it after the first couple of times, so we didn’t press it. I did find a college here in state, pretty close, that has a two week program in the summer for high school students to get a taste of college life. I think that is probably a must do next summer. She has no interest in the hoopla at all, fwiw.</p>
<p>I would define small as 2000 or less, as the poster above. Almost every state school is big (at least 10,000) if not huge (25,000). Sometimes honors programs, specialized interest housing, or other programs can make a large school feel smaller by providing a niche for the students involved. </p>
<p>Both my kids went to large public high schools (2000+). One is now attending a college of 1000 students, and is thrilled with the attention she is able to receive, as well as the discussion-oriented (vs lecture style) classes. My S will be attending a college of 1000 students next year, and we feel really confident that he will have a similar experience. My D is the type that could have made it work anywhere. My S needs the extra attention. I’m glad in both cases that they will be getting a personalized education. </p>
<p>For what it’s worth, I have a friend whose D was homeschooled and had a shy nature. She now attends Sweet Briar in VA, and has thrived there. It’s all-women, and has a brother school (Hampden-Sydney). Your D might feel more comfortable in an all-women environment. Visit one or two if you can. GA has Agnes Scott, which gives good aid and is well-regarded. My D goes to Scripps (all women’s college in a co-ed consortium), and is loving her college experience, even 2500 miles from home.</p>
<p>Is it possible for her to take college courses at a local community college before officially graduating high school (without disqualifying her from frosh admission to universities)? That might be helpful to getting her transitioned to the academic and social aspects of a typical college or university environment, as well as allow her to explore more advanced material in subjects where she has reached the top level of what you are able to home school her.</p>
<p>Physics has a very well defined set of undergraduate requirements for the major (in addition to general education type requirements at the school attended):</p>
<p>Frosh/soph (often available at community colleges):</p>
<p>Math: calculus, multivariable calculus, linear algebra, differential equations (many physics students are advanced in math and complete this early, commonly taking calculus while still in high school).
Physics: calculus-based introductory physics with lab (usually 3-4 semesters’ worth) covering mechanics, waves, thermodynamics, electricity & magnetism, and modern physics.</p>
<p>Junior/senior (at a four year school):</p>
<p>Physics: quantum mechanics (often 2 semesters’ worth), electricity and magnetism (often 2 semesters’ worth), advanced mechanics, statistical and thermal physics, advanced lab (often 2 semesters’ worth); additional advanced physics electives (e.g. astrophysics, plasma physics, etc.) may be available.
Math: recommended real analysis, complex analysis, abstract algebra / group theory.</p>
<p>We found “Admission Possible” by Marjorie Hansen Shaevitz to be a great resource for our family as our clueless child tried to figure out what kind of school she wanted to attend. It is about the STUDENT, not a guide that tells you specifics about colleges. It asks questions that help to guide the student to formulate college possibilities.</p>
<p>ISBN#9781402263316</p>
<p>We found this book at our local library.</p>
<p>You can also google and find out about college fairs close to your town. That is a great way for your daughter to practice speaking with college representatives, gather brochures, and get basic ideas for different types of colleges.</p>
<p>I have a niece at Sweet Briar who also likes it. They have a small engineering program and horses - if your daughter is interested in continuing that. I believe my niece is getting a certificate in equine studies along with her psychology degree.</p>
<p>@nova2nola, thanks for the further info. We’ll definitely take a look at smaller colleges as a possibility.</p>
<p>@ucbalumnus, We’re looking into the dual credit type programs here as an option–I agree that might be a really good transitional step to take for my daughter. She is planning to take calculus in her senior year, though she may have to bump it for biology since it seems that’s a strict requirement for the GA colleges at least, and she hasn’t taken it. :-(</p>
<p>@MomCat2, thanks for the heads up about the forum, I’ll have a look there!</p>
<p>@powercropper, I’ll look for that book, thanks so much! And college fairs–I wonder if she could go to one if it was offered at one of the schools here in town? I’ll investigate that, and of course see if there are any others around.</p>
<p>@mathmom, I’m not sure whether she’ll continue on with equestrian lessons. It’s not her primary extracurricular focus–just more of a hobby really. It’s something to think about though, surely. :-)</p>
<p>ucbalum, I really don’t think that the courses you describe are often available at CC. In California, yes. Here, the CC just recently started offering basic calculus. Maybe we are at opposite ends of the spectrum. :)</p>
<p>I have 3 currently in/graduated from college now. All were homeschooled in Georgia and participated in 1 or 2 years of dual enrollment at our local state university. This allowed them to experience the pace/rigor of college academics while still at home. It made the transition to “sleep-away” college much smoother.</p>
<p>Georgia has a great funding program for dual enrollment students that is designed for all high school students public/private/homeschool. ACCEL covers 100% of tuition at CC’s and public 4 year universities. Many mandatory fees (a killer at GA colleges) are reduced/eliminated for DE students as well. </p>
<p>information for the ACCEL funding program can be found at the <a href=“http://www.gacollege411.org%5B/url%5D”>www.gacollege411.org</a> .</p>