What do homeschoolers need to get into college

Homeschool students can also take all standardized assessments offered at the zoned school, including annual assessments, PSATs, and AP exams. Students who aim to attend top-tier universities should take advantage of these opportunities, which will acclimate the student to test-taking and help them demonstrate their performance relative to traditional students.

The answer is typically yes, but this can vary based on state-level regulations. States that allow homeschooled students to participate in school-based activities usually allow them to take advantage of any resource available to the general student population. Anyone who feels compelled to homeschool their children should not let fear of the college application process persuade them not to.

The most important part of the process is establishing an understanding of curricular and extracurricular expectations for homeschooled college applicants. From there you can work backwards to determine the steps that must be taken in order for your child to meet those expectations. At Ivy Scholars, we have a depth of experience guiding students through both pursuing their passions through extracurriculars, and in crafting the best possible college applications.

If you want information about how we can help you and your student, or have questions about your specific homeschooling or college application journey, schedule a free consultation with us. Ivy Scholars is the leading educational consultant in Sugar Land, Texas, providing admissions coaching, test prep, and more to help students enroll at top tier schools. Complimentary Consultation. College Admissions Guide for Homeschooled Students. Get Started.

College Admissions for Homeschoolers. This is especially true for students who maintain high grades in these courses. Brick-and-Mortar Institutions: Has the student attended any brick-and-mortar i.

While not essential, attending some form of in-person learning institution can help set an applicant apart from other homeschooled students. Extracurricular Activities. Standardized Tests. Recommendation Letters. Does homeschooling properly prepare students for college?

How do homeschool students perform in college? How do colleges feel about homeschooling? Why might colleges want homeschooled students? Are homeschooled students accepted to colleges at the same rate as non-homeschooled students? Can a homeschool student take some classes at their zoned school?

Share this guide with your network:. Facebook Twitter Google-plus Linkedin Snapchat. Facebook-f Google Yelp. Get In Touch. Subscribe for Updates. Wendy Y. Below is my son's review. He was accepted to his dream Ivy League school! From an admitted student's perspective, I am incredibly grateful to have met Sasha - he has been instrumental in helping me achieve my educational dreams Ivy League , all while being an absolute joy he's a walking encyclopedia, only funnier!

Many people are dissuaded from seeking a college counselor because they think they can get into their desired college s either way. Honestly, going that route is a bit short-sighted and can jeopardize your odds of acceptances after years of hard work.

Going into the admissions process alone, without speaking with an advisor, is like going to court without a lawyer - you put yourself at a significant disadvantage because you don't have all the facts in front of you, or the help you need to negotiate the system. That said, you need a good lawyer just like you need a good college counselor. And that's where Sasha distinguishes himself from the crowd of people claiming they'll get you into Harvard.

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A large portion of the homeschooled population have more life experiences before the age of 18 than traditional students. Regardless, there are some colleges who express a specific interest in homeschoolers:. Of all the Ivy League schools, Harvard University in New Haven, Connecticut is probably the most non-discriminatory towards unique types of schooling.

Harvard views all applications the same, regardless of educational background. Many homeschoolers have found success at Harvard , and claim that their non-traditional form of schooling actually prepared them for their experience at this legendary Ivy League school. The University of Southern California in Los Angeles, California is a private institution that openly accepts applications from homeschoolers.

One of these subject tests must be math, but the other two may be whatever the student wishes. USC also asks for a detailed record of courses taken, including textbooks used and some more specific information about the curriculum or program the student was taught.

The College of Charleston is a small liberal arts college located in the heart of downtown Charleston, South Carolina. However, they do have certain requirements for homeschooled applicants. College of Charleston sees a strong homeschooler application as one that includes challenging college-level courses, and at least three years of a foreign language. They also require a detailed transcript, indicating all courses taken and difficulty level.

This college is more flexible with homeschooled students accreditation than most schools. However, Charleston also states that they abide by every U. So, if the homeschooled applicant is from a state that does not require an accredited education for admission to college, neither will the College of Charleston. The U. West Point represents the Army branch of the five U. On average, the service academies admit one to five homeschoolers every year.

At West Point, they accept homeschoolers, but they recommend specific action for homeschooled applications in order for a better chance of being accepted. West Point recommends that all homeschoolers take advanced classes in math and science at their local community college during their junior and senior years of high school.

Additionally, very applicant for West Point must acquire a congressional recommendation. In order to obtain the correct forms, you must contact your U.

An administrator at the district office will send you the necessary forms. West Point also puts a strong emphasis on athletics and extracurricular activities. They recommend that homeschoolers get involved with athletics at their local public school and participate in community service activities in their free time. Although the college application process for traditional and homeschool students is almost exactly the same, there are some specific components that homeschoolers need to pay attention to.

This includes valid transcripts and standardized test scores. Accreditation simply means that an outside party has reviewed your educational procedures and deemed it satisfactory. Alongside accreditation, your parents or homeschool program administrator is responsible for making your transcript. In highly competitive admissions situations, it can be hard for students to differentiate themselves from the rest of small army of applicants all vying for the same spots.

Students with homeschooled experience have an advantage here, as they're different, in a good way. A rumor has been floating around that if homeschoolers want to be eligible for federal student aid, they'll need to get a GED. This is not true: homeschooled students are specifically exempt from this requirement. But be careful, some colleges and universities believe this myth to be true.

University of St. Thomas researcher Michael Cogan has found that often, homeschool students earn more college credits before their freshman year of college than other students. On average, homeschoolers had Throughout their college careers, students from a homeschooled background tend to do better than traditional students. Homeschool freshmen in their first semester at college average a 3.

Colleges will expect to see that you've met certain criteria, so be sure that you know ahead of time what you need to complete in your high school years. Keep careful records and be ready to share what you've learned in a transcript so that colleges can better understand what you've been working on. Find out when you'll need to take the SAT, submit your application, and work out your financial aid well in advance.