By Emelia Stephens, Web and Social Media Editor
As a high school student about to graduate, I was anxious just like everyone else. Going to college can be very intimidating and nerve-racking for every student. Except, going to college looked a bit different for me compared to other high school students because I was homeschooled.
Something you may not know about Asbury is that there are quite a few previously homeschooled students on campus, and I’m proud to be one of them.
“Our homeschool population is about 15 percent of our student body,” stated Mallary Wiley, associate director for Undergraduate Admissions and coordinator for campus visits and events. “That has been pretty consistent over the last few years.”
Asbury has a specific visit day catered toward homeschoolers, which this year is Friday, Sept. 28. According to Wiley, the admissions department at Asbury has “found over the years that home educated families appreciate a day focused on homeschooled students.”
The visit day has specific sessions that are aimed toward homeschoolers, which include a panel made up of formerly homeschooled Asbury students. There is also a session on dual-enrollment, explaining how Asbury can partner with families in home education, and a financial aid seminar focused on homeschooled students, according to Wiley.
As a homeschooled graduate myself, I think Asbury attracts homeschool students for
many different reasons. The size of campus is one factor. Because of its smaller campus, Asbury can seem less intimidating than a larger university and easier to navigate as a student who
may or may not have ever been to a public school before.
The close community life on campus is also something that is appealing as a
homeschool student who was educated in a personal environment. Although leaving for college can be intimidating, the emphasis on community makes Asbury seem more welcoming.
The student-faculty ratio, 12-1, at Asbury is another attractive aspect. The smaller ratio creates a more intimate and approachable relationship with professors, which is similar to the dynamic of having a parent as a teacher.
Asbury has become a second home to many homeschool students, and there’s no reason to believe that trend won’t continue.
