Live Q&As

One graduate school that serves non-traditional students in Goddard College in Vermont.  They offer low-residency Master's programs and willingly admit people without Bachelor's degress.  However, they are hardly a standout.  Even big-name schools admit people without undergraduate degrees -- I know two people in Stanford's current MBA class who didn't go to undergrad.  Of course, these are anecdotes, but it can be done.   It's a matter of proving that you have the same experience and expertise as anyone else.  This is fairly easy for graduate school because often you are required to work in the field before returning to grad school.

I'm advising a startup working in this space that has huge potential -- there is infinite value in real-world interaction.  One startup to watch that has already launched in SkillShare.com -- they allow you to take classes taught by anyone, anywhere.

College isn't going anywhere -- if I need a degree I'll know where to get one.  For me I doubt I would go back specifically for a degree but rather for a subject that's best pursued in university.  For example if I decided I wanted to study neuroscience going to a univeristy would probably be the best way to do that -- but I doubt I'd do it for a degree.  

It's not about preparing for UnCollege -- it's about preparing for life.  I encourage you to try out unschooling, the learning philososphy upon which UnCollege is based.  We learn by doing, and the earlier you can start, the better.  Even in middle school and high school get out into the real world -- find internships, volunteer, start a small business.  It's never to early to begin exploring the world and understand what it means to build the future.

Is success defined in monetary terms?  Something to consider when evaluating your  'success.'  Might it also be the case that your college graduate friends are in fact unhappy because they were forced to take a high paying job to pay off debt?  They might be envious of you for your freedom to change the world without attachment to an institution. 

I didn't go to high school -- I was unschooled!  While my peers sat in class I engaged with the world.  I found mentors, started businesses, took college classes, helped build a library.  I essentially hacked my education.  I had a fabulous high school experience largely because I didn't go to a traditional high school.  I think it's silly that we expect everyone to know exactly what they want to do in life at 18.  If others want to choose alternate paths -- more power to you!

I absolutely agree that you need a plan.  Knowing yourself and what you're going to do is absolutely essential before you pursue any type of higher education -- whether you're inside the classroom or out.  

UnCollege is a social movement, not any type of education institution.  There are in fact institutions that award degrees for non-traditional experiences.  One very innovative institution is Western Governor's Univeristy -- wgu.edu.  They award competency-based degrees.  That means that you can take any class and elect to take the test the first day of the course if you can pass it. 

I don't recommend keeping cadavers in your garage -- you should probably go to med school.  I will point out that med school is already following an uncollege philosophy -- as a student you have a residency and practicum -- so on and so forth.  In most states you don't have to have a JD to be a lawyer -- you just have the pass the bar.  You can easily become a lawyer by apprenticing with a lawyer and then passing the bar.

I don't have any kids yet -- I'm 19.  If I do have kids in the future (which I doubt) I'll encourage them to hack their education.  Whether that means they go to college or not that's their choice -- everyone learns best in different ways.

LinkedIn is a very powerful networking tool.  I use LinkedIn as a tool to keep track of the connections I make.  A really valuable way to use LinkedIn is once you build a network to gain introductions to companies and people you want.  For example, if I wanted to talk to someone at Facebook, I would go on LinkedIn and see which of my connections are connected to people who work at LinkedIn.

Absolutely!  That's what my book, HACKING YOUR EDUCATION is all about. It'll be published in early 2013.