Homeschooling is becoming an increasingly popular option for those wishing to provide their children with an alternative to the public school system. But what happens when those same children decide they want to attend a prestigious Ivy League institution and pursue a higher education?
The question bears critically examining, since Ivy League schools have different criteria for admission of homeschoolers than other higher education institutions. This article will provide a comprehensive overview of which Ivy League institutions are the most receptive to accepting homeschooled students.
1: What is an Ivy League School?
An Ivy League school is a group of eight private universities in the United States of America, often seen as among the most prestigious and competitive higher educational institutions in the world. The Ivy League includes Brown University in Rhode Island, Columbia University in New York, Cornell University in New York, Dartmouth College in New Hampshire, Harvard University in Massachusetts, the University of Pennsylvania in Pennsylvania, Princeton University in New Jersey, and Yale University in Connecticut.
2: What is Homeschooling?
Homeschooling is the practice of parents teaching their children in their own homes instead of sending them to a public or private school. Most parents who choose to homeschool do so for religious reasons, as many religious sects don’t align with the values taught through the public school curriculum. Parents can also homeschool for ideological reasons, such as to emphasize homeschooling can provide an increase in academic standards or a tailored class schedule.
Homeschooling thusly gives families the autonomy to make their own decisions without needing to comply with government regulations.
3: The Challenges of Homeschoolers Attending an Ivy League Institution
The admissions process for Ivy League schools is often very different from that of other higher educational institutions. Homeschoolers face unique challenges when attempting to gain acceptance due to their lack of a standardized transcript and the unconventional nature of their educational experience.
Homeschoolers often lack advanced coursework, have difficulty demonstrating teacher’s recommendations, and have difficulty showcasing their involvement in extracurricular activities. For these reasons, Ivy League schools often create specific admission policies for homeschoolers to address these issues.
4: Brown University and Homeschooling
Brown University’s admissions policy on homeschooling states that they review homeschoolers the same way they would any other prospective student. They acknowledge that a traditional transcript cannot accurately reflect the quality of self-directed education, so they take a more holistic approach to assessing homeschoolers. They look at the student’s academic rigor, involvement in activities, and conversations with teachers as indicators of a student’s preparedness for college at Brown.
The university also offers an optional essay which homeschoolers can submit to provide further insight into how their homeschooling journey has prepared them for college-level work.
5: Columbia University and Homeschooling
Columbia University addresses homeschoolers in their admissions policy, noting that they assess each application case by case. They are interested in students who have followed an individualized curriculum and can demonstrate their critical thinking skills and academic knowledge through their standardized test scores, along with their course work and teacher recommendations. In addition to a transcript, Columbia encourages homeschoolers to submit a portfolio that displays achievements in art, music, writing, coding, and other activities.
The university also requires homeschooled students to have achieved an SAT or ACT score that is at least equal to their non-homeschooling peers.
6: Cornell University and Homeschooling
Cornell University states that homeschoolers should follow the same application procedure as traditional applicants, providing a portfolio and a description of their academic experiences and noting any activities and awards. The school does not require SAT or ACT scores, as it understands that the self-directed nature of homeschooling can cause issues with those tests.
Cornell expects homeschoolers to have courses or experiences that are comparable to their traditional counterparts, and that they demonstrate their academic preparedness in other ways such as essays, portfolios, and teacher recommendations.
7: Dartmouth College and Homeschooling
Dartmouth College’s admissions policy on homeschoolers states that they have rolling admissions, so homeschoolers must submit their applications as early as possible in order to be considered. The university emphasizes that students should reflect on the challenges they faced as homeschoolers and discuss how they have overcome them in their essay to demonstrate their commitment and preparedness for college-level work.
Homeschoolers should also provide portfolios, transcripts, and teacher recommendations in order to demonstrate their aptitude.
8: Harvard University and Homeschooling
Harvard University’s policy on homeschooling is much the same as all the other Ivy League schools. Harvard looks for homeschoolers that have achieved an academic level equivalent to their peers and has put in the hard work to become an independent learner.
They require homeschoolers to provide supplementary materials such as portfolios, extracurricular activities, and teacher recommendations that can demonstrate their aptitude and preparedness for college-level work.
9: University of Pennsylvania and Homeschooling
The University of Pennsylvania requires homeschoolers to submit “contextualized evaluation forms” that can demonstrate the rigor of their academic programs and the support of their teachers. This allows the university to accept homeschoolers without requiring SAT or ACT scores.
The admissions office is interested in the student’s portfolio and their attempts to engage with their community and develop an independent learning style. The university also encourages applicants to submit an essay in which they describe their academic experiences and how they overcame any challenges they faced as homeschoolers.
10: Princeton University and Homeschooling
Princeton University’s policy on homeschoolers encourages applicants to provide a “home school record” that can demonstrate their work and indicates the level of rigor of their courses. The university requires them to submit portfolios, teacher recommendations, and letters of recommendation that can provide a full picture of their ability and preparedness for college-level work. Princeton also encourages students to engage in extracurricular activities and shadowing programs that can give a better idea of their academic material and professional skills.
11: Yale University and Homeschooling
Yale University’s admissions policy on homeschoolers states that they must submit portfolios, transcripts, teacher recommendations, a “school profile” that describes the student’s academic journey, and a letter of recommendation from an adult who can attest to their character and readiness for college-level work. Yale is looking for homeschoolers who can show academic rigor, involvement in extracurriculars, and the ability to work independently.
The university also has a home-schooled alumni mentorship program in which accepted homeschoolers are connected with alumni who were also homeschooled to provide insight and advice for their transition to college-level work.
12: Final Considerations for Homeschoolers Applying to an Ivy League
For homeschooled students looking to gain acceptance into an Ivy League school, they must be aware of their unique challenges compared to their traditional counterparts. Homeschoolers should carefully consider their application process and spend time on their portfolio, transcripts, letters of recommendation, and essays to be sure they are accurately reflecting the academic rigor of their studies and their ability to work independently. They should also plan ahead and research the schools they are looking to apply for in order to learn what specific policies and procedures to expect from each institution.
13: Conclusion
In conclusion, homeschooled students should be aware of the unique requirements and the challenges they face when applying to an Ivy League institution. Each school has different procedures and policies in place to assess homeschoolers, so it is important for students to do their research and be well-prepared. With the right preparation and dedication, homeschoolers have the opportunity to be accepted into some of the most prestigious universities on the planet.