Homeschooling is becoming increasingly popular in the United States. In fact, the number of children being homeschooled has doubled in the past decade. There are a variety of reasons parents choose to homeschool their children, including religious, moral, or academic considerations.
With the growing popularity of homeschooling, many parents are wondering whether some of the most prestigious universities in the world, such as Harvard University, are homeschool-friendly.
What Is Homeschooling?
Homeschooling is an education system in which children are educated by their parents or legal guardians at home instead of attending a traditional school. The curriculum can be determined and tailored by the parent/guardian, who will act as the teacher and mentor. The main benefits of homeschooling are that children can learn at their own pace and receive a more tailor-made education, allowing them to develop specific skills and interests that may not be present in traditional schools.
What Are the Requirements for Homeschooled Students to enroll at Harvard University?
The admissions requirements for homeschooled applicants to Harvard University are the same as for all other applicants, with a few additional expectations. Homeschooled applicants should spend time to reflect on why they want to attend Harvard, and should also focus on developing strong academic skills such as reading, writing, and math. Additionally, Harvard admissions officers will look favorably upon students who have invested time into extracurricular activities, internships, and community service.
Ultimately, Harvard will consider applicants based on their academic accomplishments, extra-curricular activities, and personal achievements. Homeschooled applicants should make sure they have submitted official documents including their transcript, which should outline the courses they have studied, the grades they have obtained, and the curriculum they use.
What Opportunities Are Available to Homeschooled Harvard Students?
Harvard offers a variety of opportunities for homeschooled students. On-campus housing is available for students who want to live on campus and take advantage of Harvard’s resources. Additionally, Harvard has a wide selection of scholarly and social activities for its students to participate in, such as workshops, research projects, cultural trips and dorm activities.
Students who are homeschooled may be particularly interested in Harvard’s Spring program, a sixteen-week academic program which offers the theoretical and practical foundations of a Harvard education. The Spring program provides the opportunity for homeschooled applicants to get an immersive preview of a typical Harvard academic semester before they commit to applying.
What Considerations Should a Homeschooled Harvard Applicant Take into Account?
Homeschooled applicants to Harvard must bear in mind that the admissions process is highly competitive, and that many applicants have significant accomplishments and achievements. Harvard strongly recommends applicants to provide a comprehensive portfolio, which includes evidence of strong academic abilities, extracurricular activities,and personal feats that are not necessarily related to academic progress.
In addition, applicants should review their test scores from the SAT or ACT and make sure they meet the requirements of the admissions committee. Furthermore, homeschooled students should research Harvard Universities’ essays and essays preparation resources to ensure they have the strongest submission possible.
How to Prepare an Outstanding Harvard Application as a Homeschooled Student?
Homeschooled students must take the time to craft a strong portfolio that will differentiate them from the competition. They should begin by taking the time to reflect on why they want to attend Harvard and make sure they outline every part of their journey, like coursework, an internships, community service, and extracurricular endeavors. Harvard provides a range of preparation resources for applicants and applicants should be sure to take advantage of them.
Furthermore, applicants should review their test scores, and if necessary, take preparatory classes or engage in tutoring to raise their scores. Homeschooled applicants should also take the time to complete the University’s foreign language philosophy, intended to demonstrate their ability to study a language at the college level.
Finally, it is important that homeschooled applicants familiarize themselves with the broader Harvard community and show evidence of this in their application.
Conclusion
Harvard University is one of the world’s leading universities, and homeschooled applicants are eligible to apply alongside other applicants. Although the admissions process is highly competitive, homeschooled students have a chance to make a lasting impression with a well-crafted portfolio, and through careful research and preparation. Homeschooled applicants should take the time to review the university’s requirements and resources, familiarize themselves with the wider Harvard community, and submit evidence of their accomplishments and extra-curricular pursuits.
With the right approach, homeschooled students have the same chance of being successful as any other student in the admissions process.