<p>A bit of background--my oldest girls have taken/are taking lots of classes through several different college, some locally, some overseas. We seem to be in the distinct minority. How many here do this--either at a CC or 4 year college?</p>
<p>in my community the majority of homeschooling teens take at least a few courses at the local CC. A smaller number audit at the local 4-yr uni (they can't officially enroll) or do distance learning college courses. Very few "graduate" without at least a couple of courses through one of these avenues.</p>
<p>Many homeschoolers take advantage of local colleges as soon as possible. It's a very good idea for college bound homeschoolers to take community college courses or some equivalent. It was not an option for my daughter because the distance was too great, so she opted to take several courses through University of Nebraska Independent Study High School, which has an excellent reputation. Reputable college level distance programs could be even more impressive.</p>
<p>The important thing is to have grades from a respected institution. That's not to say you can't get into a college without, but a good collection of grades will strengthen your application, especially for comptitive colleges.</p>
<p>We think it is important to have outside classes and grades, too. I've just been surprised that in our small town, we're about the only ones that do! Texas, I'm surprised that your hsers cannot officially enroll. Granted, our local college is not a university, but it IS a state college and they have no trouble with us at all...</p>
<p>heartcross - The local 4-year university does not have a problem with homeschoolers. Quite a few of our teens end up there after they "graduate" from high school. They do have a serious problem with being overwelmed with college students. The legislature passed a law a few years ago saying that the top 10% of the graduating class of every high school in the state are guaranteed admission to any state college they want to attend, and most of them want to attend the flagship, where I am. The univ. really does not have the capacity to deal with high school students too, regardless of whether they are homeschoolers or traditional schoolers. There is a small handful of high school students (5-6) who do dual-enroll, but it is restricted to students who need something like advanced mathematics courses beyond what either their high schools or the CC offers.</p>
<p>What my daughter did was to take courses during the summer at a four-year college with a special program for high school students. She got college credit, recommendations, and a sense for living and studying at that particular school -- which she is now attending. This is not a particularly cheap route. But she thought it might help come admissions time, at least for that school. It might have hurt at other schools that have their own programs!</p>
<p>She also took several correspondence courses with a professional in her chosen field. The program was outside the country and issues no offical transcripts. But she was able to get a good recommendation and some professionally evaluated work product, which was included with college applications.</p>
<p>We didn't go the CC route -- 1, because there was nothing she was that interested in taking; 2, because I had gotten some negative feedback from a friend whose son went this route (the courses got bogged down due to other students not getting the material); and 3, the commuting time would detract from what she had available to study.</p>
<p>My son went to a private school, but he took outside courses as well. He went the summer course route one year, had courses at his school that garnered credit at a nearby college, and took three years of math beyond first year calculus using the Stanford EPGY program. He also took a number of AP tests.</p>
<p>My umbrella recommends that everyone planning on a selective school get some outside validation of academic achievement and ability. Quite a few, maybe a majority, go the CC route.</p>
<p>Well,
Im not in college yet. i'm a sophomore right now and just started homeschooling again.. ( i used to be homeschooled then went a public school) and sometime in Fall of 2006, I am going to be taking a French course at the community college.. plus i think it could get someone USED to going to school again..</p>
<p>I took 128 credits (4 shy of a Bachelor's Degree) at Harvard Extension (degree granting continuing education divison of Harvard University) to supplement my homeschooled education. I could have just graduated, but decided the college experience was important enough, and that would not be redundant since my HES courses were very spread out and largely introductory (i.e. i didn't concentrate). I'm going to Brown this fall.</p>
<p>clomas -- did you get any flak when applying for having so many credits? I have heard stories of how you have to apply as a transfer student with so many hours. My son will have quite a few hours if he stays on the same track as he is now, but I also want him to have the college experience -- so I worry about it.</p>
<p>i was worried about this as well... i only applied to brown (because it was ed) so only know for them... but they gave me no trouble at all. i did not, however, indicate that i would be asking to transfer many credits, which is where i think the sticking point would be. in my sophomore year i can apply for a semester of advanced standing but i think that's all i can get. my brother had some harvard extension credits as well and got a year off from his 5 year degree at oberlin, so who knows. i think you should be fine.</p>
<p>thanks -- I am hoping it will all work out. He would not be requesting the transfer of his credits (unless he ends up at a safety -- and then we are in another situation entirely).</p>
<p>I am homeschooled and live on the University of Chicago campus. I took the intensive Attic Greek course there over the summer and was invited to (unofficially) audit Intermediate Greek there during this school year, which I am surrently doing. I am also auditing a poetry class through the U. of C.'s Basic Program of Liberal Arts, which is a continuing education program for adults.</p>
<p>I was talking about Greek with someone on another thread recently. I'm curious about the curriculum you used in the summer and are now using. I used JACT's Reading Greek with my daughter and was thinking of taking up the subject myself again, but using Mastronarde (because JACT is so unwieldy with all the separate books).</p>
<p>I didn't like the looks of Athenaze (some people seem to like it and others don't) -- so if that is what you are using, never mind. Also, I will need something where I can get an answer guide.</p>
<p>I used Matronarde over the summer. It is an excellent book, no nonsense, dense and picture-free. Yet, if one wants to truly learn Greek, this is the book to use. My younger siblings are currently using Athenaze, which is easier to understand for younger kids, yet more confusing in the long run. That said, go with Mastronarde, but I suggest you either take it at a university or get a tutor. Greek is no easy language to teach yourself!</p>
<p>We also read the Crito and "On the Murder of Eratosthenes."</p>
<p>Currently, we are reading "Antigone." Last quarter covered the first book of the Republic.</p>
<p>katharos -- </p>
<p>Your situation sounds similiar to my son's. we will 1 block from the colorado college campus and he has been invited to unofficially audit several courses and will most likely continue to do so over the next couple of years. He can take actual courses for credit over the summer, but they do not allow dual-enrollment during the school year.</p>
<p>He is doing these courses in addition to some community college classes and really enjoying them!</p>
<p>hsmomstef-</p>
<p>I came in late in the game (I am a senior this year), so my auditing will only be for this year. Just the same, I did receive recommendations from the prof and a TA, which, no doubt, helped in the admissions process. </p>
<p>Outside courses seem a good idea for homeschooled students. Colleges don't (necessarily) believe parents, so recommendations from outside sources are helpful. I wish I had started outside courses sooner. I find they truly push me and will prepare me well for what I will face next year as a freshman in college.</p>
<p>Good luck to your son.</p>
<p>Katharos,</p>
<p>Thanks for the info. Bear in mind I have all these great ideas of what I want to do intellectually now I have an empty nest ... I'm not quite sure when I'm getting to the Greek!</p>
<p>Katharos,</p>
<p>Do you know yet where you will be going to college? Are you planning on being a classics major, perchance?</p>
<p>DianeR-</p>
<p>It is well worth the effort (and the struggle)! If you live near a university, try to sit in on a class. I found Greek after years of Latin behind me, and Greek gave me what I wanted in a language. It is beautiful and rich (and difficult). </p>
<p>I applaude your interest in Greek. My mother would never attempt it!</p>
<p>Clomas and Katharos,
Both of you indicate utilizing the adult continuing education classes at universities. Was there any problem with enrolling as a high school aged student? I thought the programs were advertised as being for working adults?
Thanks.</p>