And we mean that literally. From the age of twelve, Kerry Anderson's classroom was the cab of a big rig. Single mom Linda Anderson had turned to trucking as a way to make a better living. But the family of three wanted to stay together, so they had to figure out how to make their situation work...

By Advance Business Capital

Q.  What does it take to get a full scholarship to Harvard?

A.  Plenty of drive.

And we mean that literally. From the age of twelve, Kerry Anderson's classroom was the cab of a big rig. Single mom Linda Anderson had turned to trucking as a way to make a better living. But the family of three wanted to stay together, so they had to figure out how to make their situation work.

You could say that Kerry and younger brother Steven were "roam schooled." That nomadic life with a cab for a classroom shaped Anderson into the remarkable young woman she is today. 

No Pop Quizzes 

Before trips, Kerry and Steven picked up plenty of library books. They worked on home-school courses and "mailed things in" from the road. But mostly, they learned by doing. Their schooling was integrated into their mom's work as a trucker.

Consider a cross-country trip. The kids would map out the route, figure out the mileage and when they would have to fuel, how fast they would be going, where they would need to stop, what their fuel mileage would be, and so on. As they traveled, Linda had them pick up local papers and talk about the news they were reading. At stops, they met all kinds of people and tried local food. Each day they were absorbing lessons in math, geography, economics, project management, political science, sociology and anthropology.

Off the Road, Into College

When she was ready for college, Kerry enrolled at Valencia Community College.  Valencia has multiple campuses in the Orlando area and a student enrollment of about 30,000.  Quickly getting into the groove of deadlines and classrooms, Kerry excelled in academics and community service. She stood out in another way, too: she had a poise, drive and discipline rarely found in students her age.

In 2007 she completed an associate's degree in political science. The Valencia Alumni Association named her that year's distinguished graduate -- no mean feat in a class of 4,500. Tammy Lamm was a member of the selection panel. She recalled how Kerry's childhood forced her "to come out of her shell." Sure, Kerry made the dean's list but it was her confidence that really impressed the panel, said Lamm.

Is That Spam from Harvard?

When the email from a Harvard recruiter arrived shortly after graduation, Kerry and her mom figured it was a scam.  After all, only about 8% of applicants to Harvard are accepted -- and Kerry hadn't even applied.  But the offer proved to be the real deal, and included a full scholarship.

At Harvard, a student who transferred from a two-year community college was as exotic as someone home schooled by a truck-driving mom.  Students and professors alike were bug-eyed when they learned her background. In what may be the understatement of the year, Kerry said, "It's not a story they hear very often at Harvard."

Old and New Roads

What would you do if you’d just graduated from Harvard? If you were Kerry Anderson, first you'd join your mom for a week on the road. Afterwards, you'd start studying for the exam to get into law school. You’d be thinking about a career in international relations. There ought to be lots of road trips with the Foreign Service.

And you’d be quick to credit another remarkable woman. Linda Anderson didn't have a background in education, and the demands of the job meant they rarely had time "to just park the truck and go visit a museum.” But she had the imagination to envision the possibility of a better life for herself and her kids, and the fortitude to make it happen. “She got me there,” says Kerry.

Among the sources for this article is USA Today. To listen to an interview with Kerry Anderson on NPR, click here. Or watch an interview on YouTube.

Provided as a public service to you, the reader, by Advance Business Capital.