I already graduated (I think?), but have no EC's & am at a loss.

Pre-College Issues Home Schooling and College
1

<p>First off, hey.</p>

<p>A bit of background: the day before I entered 9th grade, my mother died after being diagnosed with quadriplegia via a car accident her and I were in when I was 6. </p>

<p>I struggled all year with my grades, and was assaulted by a former band-mate. This, combined with my mom's death, completely engulfed me. I was in all Honors classes at this time, which was way too much for me to handle if I had been sane, let alone having to go through all of this. I became extremely depressed, and therefore couldn't keep up with my studies. My father decided the best thing for me was to try Homeschooling (The Learning Source, Las Vegas, NV).</p>

<p>During that time, I continued to struggle with school. My dad really didn't hound me to get the work done, as they were tip-toeing around for the sake of my psyche (which, God, I wish he hadn't now), and I just became more and more isolated, and turned to absolutely <em>nothing</em>.</p>

<p>I finally got on the ball last year and graduated, and I was so proud of myself. It meant a mark in defeating my inner demons to me, and I'd be able to pursue a new life. </p>

<p>After doing more and more research on college and what the expectations are, my new found respect for myself dwindled. I have a 3.24 GPA (which I thought was pretty good until I Googled, haha), and literally no extra-cirriculars. It's my fault for never asking, but no body brought it to me attention. I haven't taken the SAT's, either.</p>

<p>So, my question is: what can I do? Where/what is my next move? Can I still do extra-curriculars, and not be in High School? Will prospective colleges even consider, or care? Or will they just write me off as someone who wasted time, and is now trying? (also, just as a side note, I do want to go to a good college. Let's get realistic: I know I'm not Harvard bound, but I'd like a career in sports journalism. Is Penn State/Ohio State even too high for me?)</p>

<p>I don't even know if the school I graduated from is even a real school, as there isn't a website for it anymore (there used to be?), and they mailed my diploma. I contacted the numbers I have, and haven't heard anything back. How the heck do I check?!</p>

<p>I have so, SO much work to do, I need keen advice, and I need to know I can do this. Because as of right now, looking at these bright young people on this board, I feel so out of place. </p>

<p>Thanks for reading, and I appreciate any and all advice. (:
~ Christina</p>

2

<p>I am so sorry for your loss honey. You had to grieve and process the way you had to. There is nothing to be gained by kicking yourself now.</p>

<p>Maybe the right thing to do would be to enroll in a community college. You can start getting involved with EC’s and transfer to a four year school after two years.</p>

<p>It is never too late to start your life again <em>hugs</em></p>

3

<p>Don’t give up. Many people have had life experiences that have interrupted their academics, you are not alone in this! For example, I dropped out of high school, went through community college, and am now at the University of California. Call your nearest community college to get started. You’ve shown a lot of self-motivation in the face of your struggles. I’m sure with your hard-working attitude you will eventually reach your goals.</p>

4

<p>Community College is absolutely perfect for your situation. You sound like you’re on the right track to being a superb adult. Sorry to hear about your loss - no need for kicking yourself or feeling badly. What’s past is over. What’s in the future you start now. Let yourself enjoy it!</p>

<p>If, for whatever reason, community college doesn’t appeal to you for the whole two years, just take some classes for a semester to get some grades, take the SAT or ACT, and write a killer essay applying to the colleges you’d like to go to. Consider costs ($$) too.</p>

5

<p>Thank you so much for the replies, I truly appreciate any and all advice. It means a lot to me to have someone to lead me in the right direction!</p>

<p>I have yet to hear back from the school I went to, and it’s really starting to worry me. I know it was a Christian based curriculum, and a woman, Carol, would send me books. I would then read, learn, and complete the work in each book and send it back (after taking a test at the end of each booklet). Upon passing the test, she would then mail me other books - and so on and so forth - until I received my diploma and transcript (only one).</p>

<p>But what worries me is, they don’t have a website, nor is this “school” ANYWHERE on ANY list of homeschools, or schools in my county. I called the Clark County School District today and they have never even heard of the place. They told me to keep calling the number, but each time I do it goes straight to voicemail.</p>

<p>Just…? What is going on?!</p>

<p>I paid $190.00 a month to go there. My dad made me pay for it and didn’t even help me with my work, I did this by myself completely.</p>

<p>Will a college even accept me if the school I went to, from the looks of it, doesn’t even exist? Do they have to contact the school? Or will I have to do everything over again (which, damn, would devastate me…)?</p>

6

<p>(not meaning to bump, I just couldn’t find the edit button - apologies. I wanted to clarify that my H.S. GPA was 3.24… at least that’s what it says on the paper that was sent.)</p>

7

<p>First, I would ask your dad how he found out about the high school. You might want to contact the education department at the regional level to find out more information. Also check here: <a href=“http://nde.doe.nv.gov/SchoolsDistricts/Homeschool/A_List_of_Several_of_Accredited_Programs.pdf[/url]”>NV.gov; and see if the institution is listed there. It may turn out that your high school was not legitimate or unaccredited. If that’s the case, it would be best if you take the GED test in lieu of your high school diploma. </p>

<p>If you’re planning to attend community college, ask the admissions office if they accept your diploma or if you should get a GED.</p>

8

<p>You’re in luck! According to the National Association of Private Schools, The Learning Source Nevada is accredited. I’m kind of iffy about the association though, the .com is really throwing me off…</p>

<p>[National</a> Association of Private Schools](<a href=“http://napsaccreditation.com/naps_school_list.htm]National”>http://napsaccreditation.com/naps_school_list.htm)</p>

9

<p>My junior level son takes community college classes and my current college freshman did when he was a senior homeschooling. They needed to have SAT or ACT scores, take their [college] placement test placing into college level classes, and have a recommendation letter from our evaluator (in PA, we need one). We also sent in their current transcripts at the time. Neither needed a diploma nor a GED.</p>

<p>Call your community college and get an adviser. They will tell you what is needed for your area. There are very few colleges that require a GED or won’t accept a homeschool diploma - even if the school is out of business now. You may, however, need to prove you have the education via other methods like ACT or SAT.</p>

<p>Once you get accepted into your community college you can choose to go there for 2 years and then transfer to a 4 year school as a junior, or take some classes for one semester to get some more current grades and recommendation letter potential, then apply to 4 year schools as a freshman. If doing the latter, be wary that you don’t take too many courses. Some schools will disqualify you from freshman status (and freshman scholarships) if you take 15 hours or more per semester. Your community college credits may or may not transfer pending school.</p>

10

<p>All the above advice is absolutely correct. CCs typically only require you be 16 - 18 years old, depending on the state, and that you score well enough on their placement exams or the SAT / ACT. Community college can be an excellent start.</p>

11

<p>Thank you all so much for the advice. There’s so many great people here that have helped steer me in the right direction, it is very fulfilling. (:</p>

<p>livelovecheer & chillt - WOW, thanks for those sites. </p>

<p>Still no word from Carol, or my dad. We don’t really have the best relationship, so I don’t even know if he’ll ever call me back. My dad is the type that will hold things against me, so he probably relishes the fact that I need him in order to get my transcript & diploma from his house.</p>

<p>I’m going to call CSN (my community college) and set up an appointment to talk to them once I’ve narrowed down about 10 school choices that offer my chosen career choice (Sports Journalism, kind of having a difficult time finding that specifically, as just searching “Journalism” kind of overwhelms me). I’m actually PM’ing a member here who is from Vegas too, went to CSN, and is going to USC, and they’ve been really helpful in telling me what I should get involved in at CSN in order to be a desirable candidate for USC’s communication program.</p>

12

<p>wow - good luck, honey. I think you will find that the community college will be very helpful and that if you just will ask for help with something, that if they are able to assist you they will. Don’t be put off if a clerk at a desk is indifferent or kind of clueless- some times front desk clerks are great, and sometimes they are just someone waiting till quittin time and wanting a check, but the counselors won’t be that way.</p>

13

<p>^^^ I agree. </p>

<p>You’ve got a great plan and I think you’ll do well!</p>

14

<p>You think you may not have EC’s but you sure have a story and if you continue to rise above your circumstances, colleges will eat it up. There’s your essay topic, anyway! I really admire you and your perseverence.
(Speaking of EC’s, are you sure you did nothing but eat, sleep, and school the last four years? Maybe you weren’t class president or in the Latin club, as a home-schooler, but perhaps you did something that you are not realizing could count for EC’s?)</p>

15

<p>I don’t know exactly how you feel (I am truly fortunate that my mother is still with me), but I do know how it feels to be isolated in this way.
I was taken out of school in 7th grade after Hurricane Katrina, because I was depressed and had developed an attachment to my home, afraid to leave in fear of drowning to death. I had basically given up on living.
However, now that I’m passed that, I have mixed feelings about it. I feel saddened that I wasted my life for years sitting at home afraid of the outside, but I also feel that I wouldn’t be where I am if it hadn’t happened.
Last year, I got my GED when I was first eligible (16 years old), and took my ACT. I scored a 25 and was granted a scholarship at a local community college for the full tuition costs for 2 years, so I started immediately. Now, I am in Calculus 3, Linear Algebra, Physics I with Calculus, and in the honor society (Phi Theta Kappa) for my GPA. All of my friends are still in Algebra 2/Trig or are just starting Calculus in their senior year of High School. I am actually doing what I dreamed about only a couple years ago: I’m going for my Master’s in math and computer science, and I plan to be an instructor at the very community college I am attending.</p>

<p>Don’t let missing High School hold you back. Get your nose in the books and work hard, because you still have all the chance in the world to succeed. Go to a community college. You never know, you may be given opportunities at a community college when transferring to a 4 year university that you wouldn’t have gotten if you have gone straight to university (I know I have: I have a $3,000 scholarship waiting for me just because I’m in Phi Theta Kappa, a community college-only honor society, and another scholarship that I can get because my programming instructor recommended me for it).</p>

<p>I’m 17 years old (going on 18 in October) and I’m in my Sophomore year in college. If I can go through a disaster and miss High School, yet still have a chance to succeed, then anyone can.</p>

16

<p>I just want to point out that requirements for community colleges vary greatly from state to state. In CT, where we live, there is no age requirement or high school or GED requirement. My son started at age 10, my daughter at 12. All they had to do was take the placement test at the college, which placed them in the correct level math and english.</p>

17

<p>As spunky as you are, Christina, you will do great! I second the advice to try a community college first and then transfer.</p>

<p>And BTW, with all the struggles and challenges you have faced, you will have tons of material for your college-app essays. Weird way of looking at it, but…</p>

<p>Plus, you probably have ten times the maturity of most college applicants, and that counts for a lot.</p>

<p>God bless and best wishes!</p>

18

<p>Brian, what an inspiring story!! Congrats!!!</p>

19

<p>Brian that story is what every teen needs to hear. What you are in hs doesn’t make you or break you and if you miss it your not missing anything but extra drama and trouble.</p>