Unschoolers, how do you deal with these issues? (Part 2- High School and College)?

Question

Do you unschool all the way through high school or do you even label transitional periods at all?

If grades and levels aren't really important; how do you know when they are finished or at the point of graduating? Is there even a such thing as graduating from unschooling?

Based on the theory, I'd guess not since you live and learn till death. But if that’s true, then how do you get a college to accept you assuming you don’t have grades or a transcript?

Does the child take SATs or college entrance exams at all and if so, do you find that they struggle?

In your experience, do colleges have a hard time accepting students who unschool?

How does the student deal with the extra structure of classes?

I suppose the bigger question is do those who unschool typically shun the idea of formal education at any age making college entrance a nonissue?

Do you worry that your child might find their options unnecessarily limited in life once the grow up and start working?

Answer 1

I can answer your question if you tell me what unschooling is

Answer 2

I was unschooled since the fourth grade, and continued through high school.  Of course each family has different methods of teaching the child, but my parents always kept really close records of my grades and assignments not for them, but for future reference by colleges.  When I fulfilled the required credits for getting a 'normal' high school degree they considered me graduated.  Just like any other high school student I took the PSATs, ACTs and SATs, and tested into the ninetieth percentile in every test.  The tests were written so any idiot could succeed in them, the hardest part I found was writing the essay in the alloted time and being patient while waiting for my scores!!  As for colleges, many schools are not only open to unschoolers, but are seeking them as an asset to the school.  I was able to start college part time at 16 and received a huge chunk of money in scholarships that would not have been available to me as a traditional student.  The structure of classes was not difficult to adjust to; if you teach your child well and enforce deadlines and projects than he or she will do wonderfully in a college classroom environment.  As for limited in life?  Because of my education I have had many more opportunities than most public school students.  Unschoolers are traditionally more outside the box and willing to try new things and learn, which will in time open up amazing opportunities.

Answer 3

I know a few unschooling families. A couple have teens (or had teens--they're in college now) who decided that they wanted college. Unschooling families are NOT against this--they are against parents imposing something specific on the children in terms of their learning. If the kids want to learn the stuff, more power to them! But it's about the KIDS leading the way, not the parents controlling the way.

Answer 4

As kids grow, they do think about their futures.  As teens, they simply decide what they want to do toward college or career.  

They may decide to record classes, made up of things that interest them.  And even study something not so interesting because it will help them get to their goal.  Some people just think about what they have done and form that into a transcript of sorts.  There are many options.

Unschoolers do take the SATs and ACTs.  I understand they do well, and don't struggle anymore than traditionally schooled students.

Colleges generally are eager to have a well rounded student population, which gives a leg up to unschoolers.  

Unschoolers are used to adapting to all sorts of situations and have likely had some classroom experience before college.  They understand that if they want the degree, they have to go to class, which makes it much easier than for a kindergartener who never had a choice (and is more confined and structured).

Unschoolers don't really shun the idea of formal education.  It has it's place, especially for higher education, where it goes beyond common knowledge.  But, college is not necessary for life.  By that time the child can make up his/her own mind about college, just like he/she did until then.

I don't think unschoolers have less options than anyone else.  They might have the ability to see more options because they have been allowed to think for themselves for so many years and have been responsible for their own destiny.

Some unschoolers become entrepreneurs, but most I've seen do go on to college.  

Hope this helps, and best of luck in your search on raising kids :D

Answer 5

Great questions again. I have a teen unschooling, but i know many unschoolers that are over the age of 18. Many of them are in college (many start to take college classes at age 15/16 when they choose to)

We will be unschooling all the way through college.

As you said, what's the point of graduating? If you're ready to move on, you're ready to move on. If you're not, there's no maximum age for college. Why can't you go at 20 or 25 just as well as at 18. In fact, nontraditional students are very much in demand, because they bring a new layer to the college classroom that is appreciated by many college professors.

Unschoolers who want to go to college create a transcript (or a portfolio). Many unschools go to college at a younger age (My son is looking forward to turning 16, because it opens up the college program to him) It is quite easy to create a transcript, it's easy to take the ACT and get a score, and it's easy to get online at most universities and apply as a homeschooler.

I don't know any unschoolers who struggled at ACT or SAT scores or entrance exams. THis is primarily because they and their parents know what they want, and they plan ahead and practice for the test. Unschoolers don't NEVER do it, but they can CHOOSE.

Colleges don't have to know unschoolers. They usually see them as homeschoolers. Technically that's what they are. It's like telling a person from China that you are from Norphlet Arkansas. It doesn't have connections to what they know.

Unschoolers do much better with the structure of the class because they signed up for it. They didn't have to sit through thirteen years of meaningless sitting around.

Unschoolers do not shun formal education at any age. We abhor the idea of mandatory learning.

I don't worry at all that my kids will find themselves limited. They are motivated and know from unschooling that there are no real limits. Anything that they want to learn, is right at their fingertips. There is never any excuse for not learning it if they really want to.