Is that even possible?

Absolutely, it is. While we didn’t have a recipe to follow, we did have a lot of faith in the process. In the end, our journey from homeschooling to college acceptance was two parts roller-coaster, one part smooth-sailing, a little worry, and a dash of excitement — probably the same as anyone else would describe it.

We learned that with forward planning and sound records, Homeschoolers can graduate from their school with an official transcript and diploma, so they can apply to any college they want, just like anyone else. It is a relief for all students that most colleges these days look for more than high test scores and perfect grades.

When admitting students, we think about the range of talents, interests, experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds that will make this a dynamic place to call home. We want creative thinkers, diverse opinions, and people who embrace intellectual challenges. People committed to bringing as much to the community as they’ll gain from it.

– Williams College

At its core, Homeschooling celebrates the whole student, all their passions and interests, and allows students to take ownership of their education. This inherent structure creates a perfect playground for curious and interested kids to blossom and grow.

At home, we can create natural conditions for learning. I want to sit with this idea of where, why, and how we learn best – a part of Homeschooling I love. Attending to the details of our environment (imagine soft classical music playing in the morning, stacks of books, and abundant art supplies) creates space for children’s natural learning abilities. There is no rush or hustle in our mornings, and the flow of our school day is about curiosity, ease, and independence. When the kids were younger, this was magical. High school learning is far more disciplined, but the pace of our days is the same.

Most days, our home and its people wake poised and ready for deep learning. I have always loved creative, quality surroundings and believe our home should be a kind and peaceful space, a passive partner encouraging us to get the most out of our days.

“Just as we should be truthful, real and frank ourselves, and look for these same moral qualities in those whom we select for our friends, so should the things with which we surround ourselves. In our homes be truthful, real and frank. We are influenced by our surroundings more than we imagine.”

Gustave Stickley, 1905

“I learned over the years that our Homeschool structure had given me many skills I use today, such as thinking outside the box, problem-solving, and learning about the small things in life that matter more than anything.”

-Oliver Rey, September 2023

Accepted!
Music to our ears. After years of college visits, active recruiting, texting with college coaches, tweets, videos, camps, and tournaments, our college search is over. Oliver applied early and has recently accepted admission and a roster spot on the baseball team at Williams College in Williamstown, MA.

We are THRILLED and excited to round out our last family homeschool year with this impressive accomplishment on the horizon for 2024.

How did our Homeschooled students get into their first-choice Colleges?

First and foremost, we credit the focus and dedicated hours Sophia and Oliver each put into their respective college-prep courses, relationships, personal growth, and sports. They did the work.

They also willingly stepped out of their pre-and teenage comfort zones when we uprooted them for adventures elsewhere. Without protest, they read books, did community service, learned languages, played musical instruments, and appreciated cultures other than their own; that open-minded enthusiasm changed them.

Next, I am sure that our comprehensive school records played a part in the admission success of our teens. With the academics and extra-curriculars I tracked, Sophia and Oli could confidently tell their unique story in their applications with context. Keeping detailed records helps all students — not just homeschoolers — and I urge parents (whether your teen is college-bound, or not) to do the same.

Getting into any college is a competitive sport, and it helps that Homeschoolers are generally unique students. I am convinced, however, that no two paths through the process can ever be the same. As parents, we serve essential roles in inspiring, evolving, and documenting our children’s talents and capabilities. Then, we sit back and watch them soar while we enjoy the deep bonds we have created with them over the years.

Come the fall of 2024, our wild and wonderful homeschooled children will continue to attend their chosen colleges, play the sports they love, advance their learning, and strive to be their best selves daily. So, yes. Homeschooled kids can get into the college of their choice and thrive there.

The big question now for me and Tony is, what will we do next?

The whole world is a series of miracles, but we are so used to them we call them ordinary things.

–Hans Christian Anderson

©2023 Lynne Rey
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