Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Recommended Resources Early-College Entrance

Kriston, as homeschoolers get older, many participate in outside classes and are able to get teacher references this way. At least around here it is very common. I feel it is nice for them to experience the dynamics of group learning and get used to working with different adults.

I'm not sure about the administrator letter, but I would guess that a parent could submit this.

Gretchen, have you admitted any homeschoolers?

Lorel,

We've admitted quite a few homeschoolers, in fact, I think that it's a shame that most homeschoolers are overlooked, or perhaps not overlooked but bypassed.

All of our admitted homeschoolers have proven to be quite adept and ready for the challenge that our program offers.

What I'm looking for with the letters of recommendation is just another perspective on the student's performance and maturity, much better than simply looking at grades or SAT/ACT reports.

Gretchen

Gretchen

Hi Gretchen,
I'm the mom of a son, but i wonder if you can share with us any of your collected wisdom. I'm specifically wondering about children who are intellectually interested in college level material, but who are maturationally and orgainzationally only at age level. Are there special techniques to deal with this type of asynchrony? Also, what about children who are used to being underchallenged in school and have been 'trained' to turn their brains off when they enter a schoolroom. Any hope for them?

thanks,

Grinity

Hi All,

Here are a few early college programs for gifted kids. Not as radical as Mary Baldwin though. Mostly one year early.

USC's residential honor program
http://www.usc.edu/dept/LAS/general_studies/RHP/

U of Iowa's National Academy of Arts, Sciences, and Engineering program
http://www.education.uiowa.edu/belinblank/programs/naase/

Wellesley college in Boston also admits high school juniors with its Accelerated Admission program.

http://www.wellesley.edu/admission/admission/decisionplans.html

However, it is not clear to me what can be gained by going to college one year early. These who qualify for the early program will probably get into a top research university a year later. So why hurry?