PATHS FORWARD
Every door is open - college, work, travel...life
Measuring Success in the Present Tense
At Learning Cooperatives centers we measure success not only by what members go on to do, but also how they experience the present. While preparation for the future is certainly important, we believe that the best preparation for a meaningful and positive future is a meaningful and positive present.
For teens at our centers, life starts now, not later, and doing things you find interesting and useful is the ideal learning experience.
College, work, entrepreneurship, travel....what's next?
These may all be in your future, but they can also be part of your present.
College -- everyone who wants to go, can
Admissions
Millions of students in the United States don’t go to high school, yet most of them continue on to higher education. Colleges have specific admissions procedures for homeschoolers and “non-traditional students” who have not attended high school. Colleges are interested in a student’s ability to do college work and their intellectual passions, not whether you attended high school. If you have specific colleges in mind, we encourage you to contact the admissions department to find out their admission requirements. We offer support and coaching throughout the college admissions process.
Starting at Community College
Many of our members take community college classes. They can earn an associate’s degree or enough college credits to transfer to a four-year program as a sophomore or junior when their peers are just graduating high school. This path is simple, affordable, direct, and a proven success.
Applying directly to a 4-year institution
It is also possible to apply directly to a 4-year college for admission as a freshman after building up a portfolio of work. Most colleges have special applications for homeschoolers and non-traditional students which may or may not require standardized tests. In many cases being a non-traditional learner is a great asset in college admissions. In our experience, it has not proven to be a hindrance. Staff mentors are available to help with the creation of application materials.
Our alumni have been accepted at:
Bennington College | Montclair State University | Delaware Valley University | Miami University (OH) | Arcadia University | Colorado College | Penn State University | Hampshire College | University of Colorado | Lafayette College | University of Massachusetts | University of the Arts | University of California Santa Cruz | Virginia State University | Fordham University | University of Michigan | Clarkson University | Berkelee College of Music | Rochester Institute of Technology | Ursinus College | New England College | Rowan University | Hofstra University | University of Pittsburgh | New Jersey Institute of Technology | Union College | Marlboro College | Relativity School | Columbia College Chicago | Loyola University, Maryland | Brandeis University | Savannah College of Art and Design | Sarah Lawrence College | Rennselaer Polytechnic Institute | Prescott College | Rider University | Lewis and Clark College | University of North Texas | Wilson College | Pitzer College | Cazenovia College | Warren Wilson College | Moore College of Art and Design | University of Vermont | University of Montana | Cairn University | Centenary University | Marist College | Hollins University | Saint Mary's College Notre Dame | Bard College at Simon’s Rock | Rutgers University | Johnson & Wales University: Providence | Westminster Choir College | Colorado State University | University of Northern Colorado | City College of New York | The New School | University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music | University of North Carolina, School of the Arts | Connecticut College | University of Connecticut | Fairleigh Dickinson University | Juniata College | New College of Florida | Saint John's College | Stockton University | Ohio State University | Siena College | Franklin & Marshall College | Temple University | Marquette University | University of Delaware | University of South Florida | University of Illinois | Drexel University | George Mason University | University of New Hampshire | State University of New York | Towson University | West Chester University | Rosemont College | Gwynedd Mercy University | Seton Hall University | Moravian University | The Citadel | The College of New Jersey
Work, Entrepreneurship, Travel
Many of the teens we work with decide to get jobs, start their own business, travel or take a gap year when their time with us is over. Some of the best learning comes from direct experience and just doing it. Often, our members continue on with interests they developed during their teen years such as film, writing, electronics or art.
Many Paths Forward
Teens who choose to self-direct their own learning can live empowered and interesting lives, whether it is attending college or university, running their own business, working at their first full-time job, or traveling and volunteering somewhere else in the world.
Young people who learn how to learn, who develop interests and passions, who are treated with respect and treat others accordingly, can make things happen for themselves.
Self-direction, self-advocacy, communication skills, and critical thinking: these are the qualities most in demand in the working world, and these are the attributes that teens develop at our centers.
Respect + autonomy + guidance + support = the freedom and the ability to create the future of your choice.
