Getting out of the house
Homeschooled students adjust to learning with 40K classmates
By Jacob Carpenter (Last updated: 04/19/09 11:17pm)When applying to MSU as a prospective freshman, David Holcomb boasted strong test scores, plenty of extracurricular activities and passing grades from a few community college courses. Yet Holcomb had one major difference from his peers — he was homeschooled until coming to MSU.
Holcomb was one of 27 applicants for admission to MSU’s fall 2006 class who were homeschooled and only one of nine who enrolled.
In each of the past five years, fewer than 30 homeschooled students have applied to MSU. Each of those years, no more than 10 have enrolled, a surprisingly low number considering an average of about 1,500 students are homeschooled in Michigan each year, according to the state’s Department of Education.
The reasons for MSU’s low homeschool population are numerous, ranging from the school’s size to its public perception.
Evaluating enrollment
For those homeschooled students applying to MSU, the chance of admission typically is high.
Since fall 2005, 135 homeschooled students have started the admission process at MSU. Of those students, nearly 80 percent have been admitted, an admission rate slightly higher than the 70 to 75 percent of all students who are accepted.
In the same time frame, about 35 percent of admitted homeschooled students enrolled at MSU, a small drop from the 40 to 50 percent of all admitted students who enroll each year.
MSU Director of Admissions Jim Cotter said homeschooled students typically are reviewed using the same criteria as students from public and private high schools, often with extra emphasis on standardized test scores.
“We realize the homeschool experience is different from the average high school,” Cotter said.
“The requirements across the board are consistent. The information is then reviewed, but different emphasis can be placed on issues depending on the different environments from homeschool students.”
MSU’s admissions procedures mirror those of most schools, said Ian Slatter, director of media relations for the Home School Legal Defense Association, a Virginia-based homeschool advocacy group.
“Most schools now have homeschool admissions policies or homeschool admissions officers,” Slatter said.
“You still need to have somebody look at the application with some knowledge of the background of homeschool students to make a determination of who is ready for the challenge of a four-year degree program.”
Low applications
When Holcomb returns home during breaks in the academic year, many of his homeschooled friends tell stories of small-college life.
“It kind of makes sense with the families I know back home,” said Holcomb, an elementary education junior who would have attended Southfield High School in suburban Detroit.
“A lot of the reason why some of those kids are going to community college is because perhaps some of those families are reluctant to send their kids off to a more secular institution.”
It’s a common theme that likely prevents more homeschooled students from applying to MSU. The vast campus, 40,000-plus students, active dorm life and secular background are a stark contrast from the individualized, tranquil educational experience of homeschooled students.
As a result, many homeschooled students study at a community college before advancing to small four-year institutions, said Michele Czupinski, founder of Adventurers, a homeschool organization based in Ypsilanti that serves about 50 families.
“For homeschoolers, the reasons may be varied,” Czupinski said. “One, it’s so much cheaper than four-year university tuition. Two, for some homeschoolers, having that school experience in a smaller setting than a four-year university is appealing.”
Adjusting to MSU
The transition to MSU has been relatively smooth for East Asian languages sophomore Grace Fisher, who was homeschooled in Berrien Center, located in Southwest Michigan.
“There are a lot of students, but you don’t see 40,000 people in one day, so it didn’t seem like a really big deal for me,” Fisher said.
Because of the stereotypes about homeschoolers that Fisher has encountered — that they are smart, not socially oriented and are even bad dressers, Fisher said — she typically is mum on her educational background.
“A lot of times when people find out that I was homeschooled, they’re surprised because they don’t see me as a ‘typical homeschooler,’” she said.
Although Fisher’s adjustment has been smooth, Czupinski said one of her sons struggled with loud and lewd students in his MSU freshman dorm. He subsequently transferred to a community college back home after one semester.
“For him, there was a culture shock of living in a dorm and he was not prepared for the social elements,” Czupinski said. “(My children) are well-socialized, but not well socialized for the hellhole that some dorms have become.”
Holcomb has, at times, been surprised by loud music and the uncleanliness of college living in his Evans Scholars house, which differs from his tranquil home life.
But Holcomb also uses his homeschool experience to his advantage.
In his personal statement for admission, Holcomb wrote about how his homeschooling would add diversity to the university. He also has brought up homeschooling for discussion in his education classes at MSU.
“I feel like it’s something I’ve had all my life,” Holcomb said of his homeschooling background. “Yeah, I’m a little weird, but I’m over it. It gives me perspective and it gives me a new look on things.”
Originally Published: 04/19/09 11:03pm
Nelson Muntz
04/20/09 9:00amOh, the memories….. I remember fondly the days I used to pick on little Bobby down the street. He was such an easy target outside the shelter of his house—no Mommy to come to his rescue.
What’s that? “Do I regret this?” you say. No. I have no regrets, except that he didn’t go to normal school with me, where I could have picked on him all day long.
marshasmom
04/20/09 9:35amHomeschooled kids have some of the highest college drop out rates because getting along with others is something you learn in school too. I wish him luck.
Hermit
04/20/09 9:51amWait ‘til these kids get jobs and have to deal with loud and lewd people everyday. Sorry Czupinski, the world ain’t all butterflies and rainbows. Your kids can always be full time Avon representatives.
Nelson Muntz you are grosse
04/20/09 10:26amBully huh? Get a life! You sound like a real jerk growing up and a real jerk now! Why don’t you learn how to be a real human being, unless it’s to far out of your league.
Congradulations David!
04/20/09 10:28amAnd best of luck! Welcome to MSU!
Going Grey
04/20/09 10:36amMarshasmom, you are absurdly misinformed. Check out www.NHERI.com for proof… and read John Taylor Gatto’s “Dumbing Us Down.” Then come back and make some intellegent remarks.
Nelson Muntz, you are exactly why government-run schools must use metal detectors, these days. I pray your children (heaven forbid you should actually have any) will turn out to be surprisingly un-entertained by petty violence.
Thank you
04/20/09 10:58amWell said, thank you Going Grey.
Amelia
04/20/09 11:19amPublic school does not teach you how to get along with others or to make it in the real world. Anyone who thinks public school mirrors the real world is sorely deluded. Do all your co-workers share your birth year? Studies have shown time and again that homeschooled kids show better socialization skills, less behavioral issues and less peer dependency. Not to mention they generally far exceed their public school peers in all areas of academics.
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Beautiful Blog Amelia
04/20/09 11:44amYou go girl! Perfectly stated blog!
MBC
04/20/09 11:50amI know who you are, aren’t I smart! Grosse blog, there you go ruffling those feathers again!
David Holcomb
04/20/09 12:06pmWell . . .
To America the Beautiful I would like to say a few brief words.
I suppose that you may be right, some parents do choose homeschooling to allow them to indoctrinate their kids without outside influence, to shield them from the world.
However, you must argue that every parent does that to some degree. You cannot really intend to decide what is and is not normal or okay for all children to be exposed to in their growing up, and neither can I.
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Steve
04/20/09 12:10pmI’m a homeschooled student who now has a PhD. Getting adjusted to college wasn’t a problem for me, but I wasn’t homeschooled by close-minded parents, and got to spend a lot of time traveling and getting to know what the real world has to offer — both good and bad. What’s more, the two other homeschooled kids in my undergraduate class (not at MSU) are also PhDs, one of which went to Oxford.
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David Holcomb
04/20/09 12:12pmPS
Thanks so much! I might need all the good luck I can get! Finals are coming!
Also thanks so much to Amelia, the research you point to was the topic of many discussions around my family’s dinner table.
re: Steve
04/20/09 12:58pmSteve,
So your mom gave you a PHD? During Homeschooling. or
You WERE a homeschooled student.
See
Bart and Lisa
04/20/09 1:03pmNelson Muntz…We want to thank you for picking on the home schooled weirdo’s instead of us now.
Haaa-Haaa
Signed,
The Simpson’s (you know where Nelson Muntz is a fictional character)
Nelson Muntz
04/20/09 2:02pmAmelia:
“… and to literally dumb us down.”
Yeah, I’m sure this is how public education was designed. Here’s your homework Teach:
grab the closest Websters (m-w.com) and look up “literally”—you WILL feel dumb.
“These days school is nothing more than prepping for standarized tests. Does anyone ask whoâs standards these are?
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Wow
04/20/09 2:02pmAmelia – who’s to say you just weren’t a really crappy elementary school teacher?
First, you say,“Public school does not teach you how to get along with others or to make it in the real world. Anyone who thinks public school mirrors the real world is sorely deluded.”
Just like in public school, the real world has: smart people, dumb people, a-holes, nice people, black people, white people, yellow people, smelly people, creative people, janitors, etc.
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miss krabapple
04/20/09 2:12pmHomeschooling: Good or bad?
Like most things, its more about content than form.
Yes, if you’re homeschooled by right-wing parents who teach you to fear and the loath the world, you will probably grow up to be close-minded and socially stunted. I suspect most kids like that don’t go to any college, except maybe an non-accredited bible college.
On the other hand, you have people like “Steve”, whose homeschooling experience sounds very enriching, and good preparation for college and grad school (congrats on earning the PhD).
I suspect, though, that the majority of homeschooled kids fall into the first category, not the second, which really sucks for the kids.
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Hi JIm
04/20/09 2:54pmWow ruffling a few feathers are we, brillant, you are absolutely brillant! Once again you have “Stolen” the stage. I knew you were a genuis, and this goes to show that I am correct. Most likely a writer too. Well done…well done. I never know when I can find the time or computer to speak my mind, glad I could today. Bye for now.
Oops Hi Jim
04/20/09 2:55pmOops, and sorry!
Todd
04/20/09 2:55pmOne point, if I may. The story says information from the Michigan Department of Education indicates about 1,500 students in Michigan are homeschooled each year. The actual number is well over 100,000, but there are only 1,500 who are “registered” with the state, and that is voluntarily. Michigan has one of the most open, progressive and family-friendly homeschool laws in the country, so those families that choose such an educational setting for their children are under no obligation to tell the state about it.
Nelson behave yourself
04/20/09 3:26pmYou bad boy you….
Todd
04/20/09 3:26pmNelson,
My pleasure. The story’s glaring error was in need of a correction.
Todd and Nelson
04/20/09 3:31pmTwo in one like the others? Never to be followed by a Stalker? Hummm…
Nelson Muntz
04/21/09 9:19amTodd:
Nice comeback. I like it.
Todd and Nelson:
I would gladly dole out an “Ah-ha!” at your expense. You need to either make sense, or shut up.