How to Get Into College From Homeschool

At last, concrete answers to the perennial challenge to homeschooling families: "But what about college?" Use the practical hints below to help your homeschooled child get into (and succeed in) the college of her choice.

Difficulty:

Moderately challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• College Applications
• Internet Access
• Computers

1. Begin with the end in mind. If you know now that your homeschooled 14-year-old has the potential and interest to pursue college, start gathering and organizing information about admission requirements for representative schools.

2. Maintain your child's portfolio diligently. It will form the basis of your homemade "transcript," or, for some schools, can be substituted for one.

3. Contact the schools your child is interested in attending to find out if they have special admission requirements for homeschooled students. Some (Stanford, for example) have created guidelines to help homeschoolers with the application process (and Stanford has admitted numerous homeschoolers).

4. Apply with confidence. More than 900 colleges nationwide, including many rated as "highly selective," regularly admit homeschooled students. In many ways, the homeschool experience helps your child stand out from the masses.

5. Focus on areas other than transcript information. Many colleges state that certain parts of the application package, such as SAT II and ACT scores, letters of recommendation, and the application essay, are given greater weight when considering homeschoolers for admission.

6. Help your child prepare to use the admission interview as a forum to emphasize how the homeschool experience has developed her as a whole person. Colleges that admit homeschoolers all say that the child's reasons for homeschooling are integral to their evaluation of her.

Tips & Warnings

• The college application essay almost seems made for your child to write about how the homeschool experience has uniquely prepared her for the particular college she's applying to. Enough said.

• Kids who have been homeschooled throughout their student years can develop a somewhat jaded attitude toward formal education, including college. Discuss the benefits of college with your child, and emphasize that attending college can open many doors later in life.