As a homeschooling parent (well, any parent really) I am thinking of the academic future of my kids. My dd (who is a freshman this year) has somewhat decided what she would like to pursue as a career. But should she do her studies online or in a brick-and-mortar college?
We have been searching lately for possible colleges/universities and really only have come up with about 3 likely candidates. Personally, the thought of sending her out into the world (and all of the colleges in a different state) as a freshman in college just makes me nervous. I am not one that keeps my kids in a bubble with no influence from the outside world, but I have been there, done that and would like to think my experiences can benefit her.
Looking at Online Degree Programs makes sense for our family. My dd isn’t a recluse but she does have goals that would have to be put on the back burner if she were to attend an in-class college. I personally have always liked the flexibility of online classes. She could still volunteer at an organization in the middle of the day on a Tuesday with online classes (as opposed to on that requires seat time 3 times a week for an hour and a half each time that might conflict with volunteering hours), or work part time.
She really wants to be a writer/editor/artist. She could search for an online option for any of those, such as online degree programs in art. And I know that college isn’t cheap. It is getting more expensive every year. She has plans to save during her high school years for college and she has other options, such as financial aid. By my dealing with FAFSA each year while I was in college, we are quite familiar with http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ for options.
Using an online program requires a lot more dedication, motivation and good time management than brick-and-mortar college classes. Those are things that I am trying to foster while we homeschool. We may have a little while to go before my kids are college students but it doesn’t hurt to start the search early.
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You're right. We're in the same boat, as Trent's a freshman also. Are you going to have her take the PSAT in October? My hope is that we'll have National Merit options for college. I think the test is 14 and you can take it as many times as you want. Since we've done no standardized testing yet, I'm hopeful that this will be a good introduction.
ReplyDeleteGood question! I will ask her what she wants to do in regards to the PSAT but I was thinking of doing that in 10th grade. For her 'high school' (just the words) are stressful. I think another year to get it 'down' will be good...then the PSAT. She's done a lot of the standardized testing...it was every year I believe until we homeschooled. We will be in OH in October (after just getting moved) so I think we will wait. Time flies, doesn't it?
ReplyDeleteI have been thinking of this alot myself. The boys took quite a few online courses last year, and looks the same again this year. Might be a whole new reality for them, everything being on line. Keep doing the research for me. . . .
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