How to Get Into College From Homeschooling

Homeschooling is becoming ever popular. However, one concern that many homeschool parents have is whether or not their children will be able to get into college. With a little work and preparation your child can get into the school of his or her choice.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Records.
• A good rounded education.
• Determination.

1. Start early. Getting into college doesn't have to be really difficult, but it is a good idea to start getting ready early. This will give your high school student the option of choosing any school that they desire. (Even Stanford accepts homeschoolers). Junior high or early high school is the best time to start thinking about college and what you need to do to get in.

2. Keep good records. A lot of whether or not your homeschooling will be taken serious is in the records. Schools keep fairly detailed records, plus they have the advantage of state and local laws that force them to teach certain topics and at certain standards. You don't have that advantage, so you need to be able to show to the college that your student has had a good education. Include in your records some or all of the following:
   
   -Items from junior high including lists of special activities and achievements.
   -Keep thorough records of high school classes including the name of each course, books read, activities done, and objectives learned.
   -Keep samples of each class. You don't have to include everything that was done, but make sure you keep any important tests, papers or essays, and a few other samples of the class.
   -Use your records for making a computer generated list of courses completed for complete and professional looking transcripts.
   
   These records should be used to complete transcripts and should be available should you be asked for them by a college entrance board.

3. Go for a college preparatory education. Even if your child hasn't decided that he or she wants to go to college a well rounded education geared toward colleges will help them should they decide to go. This education should include:
   
   *3 years of math including Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra 2.
   *4 years of English and or English Literature
   *2-3 years of Science
   *3 years of Social Studies including history and cultures
   *1 year of visual or performing arts
   *1-2 years of health and physical fitness
   *2 years (or more) of foreign language
   *Electives for a well rounded education
   
   These are minimum requirements for many colleges. If your child is interested in getting into a more difficult college then it is possible that they may have higher education requirements.

4. Become well rounded. Colleges are going to look at a number of factors in deciding to accept your student. These will include their school work, the activities they are involved in, test scores, letters of recommendations, and essay(s). It is important that your student become well rounded through the activities that they choose to do. Here are a few options for them:
   
   *Sports: Not all kids are cut out for sports, but if you junior high or high school student has an interest in any sport then get them involved. There are often homeschool groups that have sports programs. Your child may also participate in sports with a local school or private school.
   
   *Speech: There are lots of opportunities for speech. Your student can join debate or forensics. There are a lot of homeschool groups that participate in various competitions. Additionally many high schools will let homeschoolers join their teams.
   *Volunteering: You can do a huge variety of things while volunteering. This helps your community and other people while also providing a well rounded image. It can also provide a good place for letters of recommendation to come from.
   *Extra curricular activities: Any groups, clubs, or activities that your high schooler participates in can be included in their well rounded activities section.
   *Hobbies: Well developed hobbies look good on a college application as well, regardless of whether or not they were included as electives. They can include woodworking, photography, and even taxidermy!

5. Aim for high scores of the tests. Tests are important. No matter how you look at it. Additionally depending on your homeschooling curriculum choices your homeschooler may or may not be a good test taker. Start studying for the ACT's and or SAT's early. You can include a little bit of learning from a study manual every school day starting late junior high or early high school. Make sure you child gets in on taking the PSAT's at the earliest moment (usually spring of tenth grade). This practice test will give you and your student a good idea of how he or she will perform on the real test. Have your student take the test (the ACT and or SAT) in the spring of his or her junior years so that there is time to retake it in the fall if necessary.

6. Take college courses. While you don't have to do this step and it isn't always easy to do, it can be very helpful. Many community colleges and some universities do duel enrollment. This allows you to continue to be a high school student while taking a few college courses. You can take electives, math, English, foreign language, and a few other options. This looks great on college applications and college transcripts will then be added to your admissions package.

7. Start researching schools early. While your local community college is probably going to be easy to get into and won't require all of these preparation steps, other colleges are harder to get into. If you want to go to Stanford (for example) you will need to find out the special requirements you need to meet in order to get in. It is also good to make sure a college meets your students needs as well.
   
   Researching a college can include getting the schools packet, meeting with an admissions councilor, going on school tours, and talking with other students. Many colleges also provide a lot of information on their website as well.

8. During the senior year gather letters of recommendation. Gather several letters of recommendation. You can ask people you have worked with volunteering, group or club leaders, important people in your community, your minister if you are involved in church, and professors whose classes you have taken.

9. Your essay. Most colleges will require at least one essay. It will usually have to do with why you are a good college candidate. If possible then write about how homeschooling has prepared you for college. If it isn't possible then take your time to write a good essay and have it proof read by a few people.

10. Apply early. As soon as a college has been chosen and all the entrance requirements met, apply. Often this should happen early in the spring semester of the senior year (January or February). It is also a good idea to apply to the top three or four schools of choice, just in case.

Tips & Warnings

• Parents and homeschool students need to work together to make this work. Parents should help their student through the process, but several steps must be done by the high school student alone!