• Many of our members audit local college classes or enroll at a community college, sometimes when they are as young as 16. This can mean that they then have an associate's degree or enough college classroom experience to transfer to a four-year program as a junior when their peers are just graduating high school. This path is simple, affordable, direct, and a proven success.
  Other paths include going to a four-year school at 17 or 18 or taking time to travel or work at an internship before attending college. Much depends on the teen's age when they begin North Star, and there is no one right way. We counsel each teen and his or her family as they weigh out which path best applies.
  
  
• Over the last 15 years we have established strong relationships with our local community colleges (Holyoke, Greenfield, and Springfield Tech), having sent hundreds of our members their way.  They know us and our members, and they are thrilled to receive North Star teens.  


• Colleges are prepared for applicants from a variety of high school backgrounds. They get applications from homeschoolers and nontraditional students all the time.  Some of them even have admissions officers specifically for homeschoolers.  We've talked to admissions officers from large universities, private colleges, and community colleges, and they have all confirmed for us that being a North Star member is usually an advantage in the admissions process. North Star teens have proven track records of self-direction, independence, and self-awareness, and are interesting, impassioned applicants. North Star teens stand out!


• North Star helps its college-bound members in numerous ways. We offer GED prep, portfolio gathering, letters of recommendation, and most important, counseling. What matters most to you as you consider college? Keeping your fees low? Getting to a four year college right away? Staying close to home? Studying abroad? We help think through and prepare for the college experience that will work best for you and your family.  

Any questions?  Please be in touch!

Here are some resources for nontraditionally educated teens hoping to get into college:

WEBSITES

Zero Tuition College: The Free College for Self-Directed Learners

The Common App, which includes a homeschool supplement. It may be useful to consider the format in which some schools will ask to see your homeschool curriculum.

Statistics about homeschoolers and college

FAQ's about Unschoolers and College

Uncollege: Hacking Your Education

BOOKS

College is Yours 2.0 by Patrick O'Connor

College Without High School: A Teenager's Guide to Skipping High School and Going to College by Blake Bowles

Teenage Homeschoolers: College or Not? by Pat Farenga