<p>Hi I am doing Independent study through Buckeye Online school for success(A public homeschool program.) I have been since 7th grade, and really enjoy it( I am now a freshmen.) Is it true that Homeschool/Independent learners have a better chance at prestigious colleges? Do the admissions people take extra notice of students who have studied independently throughout high school?</p>
<p>It depends. In your case, since you're doing a formal online program, I think it will depend more on the usual things; rigor of course work, grades, test scores. So just research some colleges you're interested in, and especially the academic background they expect to see from successful appliacants, and try to fulfill or surpass it.</p>
<p>You can't really predict much in terms of how any given admissions officer might consider your transcript, but if it's a similar to a traditional high school program (only difference being that it's online instead of in class), then I suspect they'd look at it pretty similarly as one from a conventional student.</p>
<p>Thanks, I appreciate your comment. Mainly what I was trying to get out was, will they take notice of the high level of discipline Independent study requires and maybe give me extra consideration? (Not trying to be a braggart or anything, just tryin to gauge my options) I would like to hear from any of you who have done independent study and how it has helped you get into college, and how the experience has helped once you are there...</p>
<p>Love of learning is always a winner. If that can be communicated through what you've done and through others' comments about you, you will have placed yourself in a strong position.</p>
<p>I hope they would, Syntho-sis, and I would (like danas said) look for ways to communicate it through your letters-of-recommendation or your essays. However, I think you need to be careful not to say it in a way that suggests traditionally-schooled students are less disciplined, because of course that's not necessarily true, and in fact one could argue that they have to be more disciplined given the distractions. You'd be better off just communicating why this way of learning is such a positive for <em>you</em>.</p>
<p>Like I said before, people will interpret it differently. When my son and I were visiting colleges and talking to admissions people, some were intrigued by his background, some were fairly openly skeptical. You can't control that part and don't even worry about it. Just present yourself honestly and with pride.</p>
<p>Yes I understand. I mean Independent study <em>has</em> helped me tremendously academically. I was already a pretty smart student before but I was very lazy. Studying on my own makes me push myself to get things done because I don't have someone standing over my back telling me to do things directly. Thats something I want to lightly touch on with the college people so they know beforehand that Independent study was very beneficial for my schooling. I appreciate the advice you guys. </p>
<p>Cheers</p>
<p>That's a great angle; finding your own internal motivation and enjoying the responsibility of that. Both my kids were homeschooled (now in college), and we know tons of other homeschooled kids, and the college application process has generally gone very well for them. I'm sure it will for you, too. :)</p>