A question many parents have about alternative schooling is, what happens at the end? Does one get a degree or a certificate like kids at regular schools do? Are these recognized by colleges and institutions? These are important questions. Here are some answers from someone who has been on this journey. 

Eesha is a visual communications designer, Dhrupad musician, and current college student who was homeschooled all the way through high school. Here, she uses her lived experience to answer many of the questions parents often have when considering alternative education. The full and detailed article by Eesha is available here and also linked to at the end. Here is a quick summary of what she covers!

- Why would I need accreditation?

- Are there unique challenges alternative schoolers face with certifying exams?

- What accreditation options are available?

- When should you start orienting towards exams?

- At what stage should you get accredited?

- What skills help make accreditation easier?

- What are the alternatives to accreditation?

- Can alternative education experience translate to mainstream credit?

- Is self-teaching through college possible?

- Do you need both 10th and 12th standard accreditation?

- Should you join a mainstream school for secondary education?

Here is a short summary.

So, why bother with accreditation? While not essential for everyone, it can significantly ease the college admissions process, especially for conventional degrees. Having an accredited cert demonstrates your academic capability to colleges. 

As an alternative schooler, you have accreditation options. In India, NIOS and IGCSE (A levels) are two boards to consider. NIOS offers more flexibility and recognition within India, while A levels are more rigorous and internationally recognized.

Adjusting to the exam experience can be challenging for alternative schoolers used to more free-form learning. Practicing time management, understanding question formats, and doing mock tests help immensely. If you've been engaged with a subject, 2 years of dedicated exam prep is usually sufficient. For new subjects, consider starting with 10th standard material.

If exams aren't your preferred path, skill-based apprenticeships, fellowships or certificate programs are worth exploring. The key is stepping out of your comfort zone and finding mentors to guide you.

When deciding if and when to pursue accreditation, reflect on your goals. Research colleges and programs of interest to understand their requirements. Talking to education counselors and other alternative schoolers can provide valuable perspective.

While accreditation is the more straightforward path, some colleges do accept alternative schoolers based on portfolios, interviews and other proof points of competence and passion. The key is to plan ahead and build a strong body of work and experiences.

Remember, everyone's accreditation journey is personal. Stay true to your passions while being pragmatic about your future goals. Keep learning, keep growing, and don't hesitate to forge your own unique path!

For a deeper dive into this topic, check out the extended version of this post here.

Here are some of the links mentioned in the longer post:

Meet the unschoolers

Outside evidence of college readiness

5 points you didn’t know about IGCSE

A quick way to find an IGCSE center near you

Homeschooling in India

Indian parents choosing to unschool their children

What exactly is considered a high school credit

How homeschoolers can apply and get into college

Wishing you all the best in your learning adventures!