How I Got Into University After Worldschooling

To all the many folks who have asked about this, I apologize for taking so long to write it down. The process seems so basic to me, I never thought you would be interested. I was wrong!

After being raised as a worldschooler, traveling full-time from age 11-19, I applied to and was accepted at Queen’s University in Canada, one of the most acclaimed universities in the country.

I’d never been in a traditional brick-and-mortar in my life. Well, except for one really uncomfortable “field trip” to a high school where my great-aunt was the principal… which, by the way, completely turned me off the idea of traditional high school. So, how did I manage to get into a competitive university?

To begin with, we tracked absolutely everything.

My mum did a phenomenal job of keeping track of what I was learning and when. I did have structure and schoolbooks in my education; I’m not an unschooler, though I did have much more flexibility and control over my schedule than I would have in a traditional school setting.

I learned all of the basics and then some: math up through calculus, science (biology, anatomy, astronomy, geology, chemistry, etc), and the arts. Most subjects were easier to pick up while we were traveling. I learned Latin, Spanish, and smatterings of French, German, Italian, etc. I picked up music lessons and art lessons from other travelers and carried my instruments with me everywhere (still do, one is at my feet now). PE was swimming and cycling and hiking and learning to kite-board. We read history books as a family, related to where in the world we were at the time – which leaves a strong impact. Something about walking on an old Roman road while learning about the Romans or standing in the Killing Fields of Cambodia leaves a long-lasting imprint on your mind. I know it’s not the right experience for everyone, but this is how we did it.

I’m a fast learner, and with control over my own schedule and access to the materials plus internet, I was done with all high-school level material by 15.

Wasn’t really sure what to do after that, but my parents weren’t keen on me sitting around and doing nothing for the next three years. There was one university for underage students that we considered, but frankly it was insanely expensive… and I didn’t want to feel like a freak genius. I’m smart in the analytical way they test for, but I’m not brilliant. I just had my own space to work.

Eventually I settled on taking e-distance courses at Oregon State University.

This is the main hack, so listen up!

I was able to sign up for e-distance courses as a non-degree-seeking student without having to show an official transcript. All of the credits I earned could later be transferred to another university, allowing me to skip the SAT tests.

I could only take two or three courses at a time, but that was fine with me. I had other things going. I used the next two years to rack up credits and to get all of the dumb preliminary courses squared away – Writing 101, College Algebra, etc. When I was ready to transfer to Queen’s University, I was a little nervous because the competition to get in is fairly high and I was the weirdo with a strange background, but it was a piece of cake. I made an appointment in person instead of sending it in online. When I went in for the interview, I came prepared with my official OSU transcript and a full list of all of the things I’d studied on the road. They accepted me on the spot.

I didn’t have to take any of the placement exams, my credits transferred in without issue, and that was that. I was accepted to the Honours program for Geography and am a year away from completing it now.

What was the transition like?

I was nervous about the transition, but it wasn’t too bad. I had some normal kid experiences, like, gosh, someone actually has to replace the stock of toilet paper… and that someone is me, now. Surprise. What a shock.

But in general, it was fine. I knew how to cook. I knew how to do my own laundry (in a pan of water, in the Sahara desert, so yeah a laundry machine was amazing). I was used to talking to people of all ages, so getting to know my profs wasn’t challenging. I’d been managing my own school schedule since I was 7 or 8, so there was no transition there.

The one thing I did struggle with was that Queen’s is not known for diversity. There’s a definite “in” culture there and I did not fit into that box – not imported from a Toronto high school – I also didn’t get the memo that you’re supposed to not “act smart” at school. There was a bit of bullying early on because I kept asking questions and actually reading everything. It’s not cool to like school, and first-years are jerks because they’re out of their comfort zone. Second and third year have been chill though. It’s an adjustment, but stay true to yourself and realize that it’s probably a good thing to stand out. ;)

In my 2nd year I scored a great internship with THE research library in Guatemala.

My advice would be to not worry about fitting in with your peers as much as you worry about making strong connections with leaders, professors, and the serious change-makers in the university community. Pick your pool wisely and amazing opportunities will come out of it. Like my summer internship at an incredible research library in Guatemala, where I sorted and worked with a huge collection of photographs from Guatemala’s history, including the period of genocide and the discovery/restoration of Tikal. I even found an old negative of Abraham Lincoln, kind of randomly. All of this was thanks to a great connection I made with a prof. I let him know I was interested in Guatemala and the rest followed. Make use of the contacts you have in uni!

Getting into exchange:

So getting into exchange was kind of an accident, to be honest…

I was talking to my favorite prof, George Lovell, the same one who sent me on that internship to Guatemala. He suggested that I also put my name in for exchange before I left, and he’d write me a letter of recommendation. I sort of brushed it off at the time, since I’ve done quite a bit of traveling and frankly didn’t have the time or money to think past the upcoming internship…

Two days before the due date, I saw the poster announcing the exchange opportunity again and thought, why not? So I threw together a hurried application in 42 frantic hours and then wiped it from my mind. Queen’s exchange is insanely competitive. I’m trying to remember the exact number… I can’t… over 2,000 people applied and only 45 got in. So. That’s intense. I really didn’t think I’d get it, especially considering that I left everything to the last minute.

Here’s what I did:

• I mentioned my international experience
• I sent my cover letter to four different editor friends I know and rewrote it four times
• I tried not to overthink it
• I had a recommendation letter from a prof (seriously… make connections and USE them)
• I pitched it. Instead of just saying why I wanted to go, I sold the idea of learning in an international academic setting being a critical part of an education in geography.

To my shock, I received the “congrats!” letter a month later. I was probably the 45th student and not in the top ten, but whatever. I had other things to think about. I was going to the Netherlands in four months and I had no idea how I was going to manage it – not my greatest planning moment ever.

I had no money set aside. I had no idea how I was going to get there. I didn’t speak Dutch. I didn’t even know where the town I was heading to was.

It was an adventure. And here I am, a year later, on my way home.

If you’re planning an unexpected adventure:

• Roll with the punches. It will all work out. It WILL. Believe it, and breathe through it.
• Try to actually plan stuff. Don’t be completely flexible like me. It’s not always great.
• Ask for help. Who do you know who could have positive input in the process? It’s all in your connections. Also, build up those connections for the future and give back when you can.
• Make a schedule for yourself so that you know what needs to be done first. First visa, then flights (or a boat?), then Duolingo classes, then packing list. Don’t fret the little stuff.
• Take it a day at a time. What do you need to do TODAY? Also get a mediation app like Headspace. It helps.

As you can see, my personal style is somewhere between being prepped for every scenario and totally winging it, depending on the adventure. The good news is, I’ve pulled off both styles without too much trouble. And I’m a bit of a mess. If I can do it, you can do it! Hopefully these hacks help.

If you have any other questions, let me know. :)