Do i need a diploma to dance? PLEASE read!?

Question

im homeschooling, but dancing in shows put me really far behind (almost a year). i have excellent grades and high SAT scores, but at the rate im going, i might have to get a GED just to avoid being held back. (can i get a GED if im technically a junior?)

if i get a high school diploma, i still cant get the Hope scholarship because im homeschooled.

BUT i do get the Hope if i have a GED. so, it kind of looks to me like GED= college, and trying for a HS diploma= no college,

because if i have to pay for another year of high school, i wont be able to afford college.

DANCERS- please tell me- can i still have a successful career as a teacher/choreographer if i get a GED instead of a diploma? because if i get a GED and go to college, i can study dance and get a degree that could help me be a better teacher, right???

i know it sounds like im trying to justify dropping out, but i really am thinking of my future.

Answer 1

Homeschoolers do not need an accredited diploma to go on to college. Universities across the nation accept homeschoolers, even actively recruit them every year, many of whom do not have an accredited diploma, but simply homeschooled under their parents guidance. All colleges ask of homeschoolers is a well written transcript, SAT/ACT scores, and occasionally some additional testing and/or a bibliography of materials used for durring the course of study, as well as the standard application requirements (essays, interview, reference letters, whatever is required of public schoolers). Nearly every university in the USA including Harvard, Yale, and other Ivy League schools accept homeschoolers and admit them in this way. A diploma is not worth the paper it's printed on in the real world unless you want to go streight into the work force after highschool, and even then, a homeschool diploma issued by a parent is usually just as good.

Why do you need to pay for an expensive program for another year? Why not just use used homeschooling textbooks and materials and do it without an accredited program (state laws permitting)? This wont ruin your chance for college, nor will it decrease them. You might even be able to enter an early admissions or duel enrollment program right now and just use that for your last year of homeschooling before moving on to full time university. Nothing is stopping you. That's what I'm doing. Duel enrollment is usually free, and there are other scholarships besides the Hope Scholarship that homeschoolers can apply for WITHOUT a GED or accredited diploma. Look in to local companies or businesses, homeschool associations, state scholarships (Bright Futures for example, if you're in Florida), scholarships directly from the school you want to apply to, scholarships specific to dancing/performing arts, and national scholarships. There are so many out there, you're bound to get money from somewhere. You can also apply for financial aid as a homeschooler without an accredited diploma or GED. There really is no dillema here.

Answer 2

heyyy, my fellow dance chica! Y'know, plenty of people have the talent to be a teacher/choreographer without going to college.  However, it is when hiring, many dance schools or programs look at education when considering an applicant.  Also, dance is a hard business, and many (if not all) in it work 2 jobs or more.  It is difficult to get a high paying job with just a GED.  Think about majoring or minoring in dance if you do go to college.  It will most definitely look impressive on a resume.

Answer 3

Are you homeschooling through an online school, or through coursework that you and your parents determine?  If you're homeschooling traditionally - you and your parents set up the coursework, the requirements for graduation, etc., you can get a high school diploma - even if dance keeps you from coursework during various times of the year.  If you're through an online school that's requiring this of you...well, my recommendation would be to drop it and work with your folks to design your own course requirements.

Dancing in shows, along with the practice and fitness regime involved, easily counts as fine arts and PE credits; for your other courses, your parents can allow you to test out of credits.  If you are able to test out of the book, (or portions of it and complete the rest), you get the credit.

There is nothing that says that you need to have a diploma from an accredited school - the diploma that your parents present you is every bit as legit.  If you need to take the GED in order to be eligible for the scholarship, take it.  You can still state your high school diploma and college coursework on any future job and college apps.  The GED, in this case, would simply be a means to an end - use it where you need to, use your high school diploma where you can.  There's no reason you can't have both.

Homeschool kids can count all sorts of things as coursework - life and job experience, sports, internships, independent work, etc.  Your coursework and your graduation is up to you and your parents, and you're still allowed to graduate AND get the GED.  Do what you need to do to work with the system - just don't give up.

Answer 4

While I danced for many years, I am actually working on my degree in music right now.  The dance and music commuinties both fall under the category of "Fine/Performing Arts" meaning, you don't need a diploma if you've got the 'perfomance'.  

I have been teaching private violin lessons since I was thirteen.  I have never had a parent ask me for certification/qualification because I can simply whip out my violin and show them why I am qualified to teach their child.  As long as I can perform at the level needed, and my students can perform and advance, I don't need college to back me up.  I had no plans of going to college till my senior year because I don't need a degree to do my job.  Going to college was something that I decided to do simply because I wanted to say I did it.  That's it.  

Since I have been here I have participated in some amazing things and have learned so much more about music than I ever thought possible, and have become a better teacher (I hope!) because of it.

I would recommend college because it will open you up to some awesome experiences that only a professional dance company could equal.  Plus, as a dancer, parents/students might feel comforted by the fact that a degree would mean you had multiple classes in nutrition/anatomy/phys. ed and other body/fitness realated classes.

I do feel like all the gen. ed. classes I have taken have been a waste of time, but the music classes have defintely made up for it in the long run.