How Homeschooling Parents Can Assure
their Homeschooled Students Gain Acceptance into America’s Well-Known
Colleges and Universities |
Do colleges accept homeschooled?
Some say colleges will not
accept homeschooled students; others say they
desperately want them. But what is the truth?
Can homeschooled students have their choice of colleges
and universities or is it a struggle to find one that
will accept them? You will find most colleges and
universities “homeschool friendly” if you prepare your
homeschool student in advance.
 The following report
will outline for you several strategies that homeschooling
families must use in order to assure that their homeschooled
students are sought out by the best colleges and universities in
America. And it’s not just about taking tests and completing
applications for college enrollment. It involves the home
school courses you choose, your extra-curricular activities,
your community involvement and much more to meet today’s college
requirements!
Bottom line is,
colleges want the best students out there. As screening
processes become more and more intense, homeschooled students
must learn to begin the
college enrollment preparation process
as young as middle school. Don’t wait till high school to
prepare for the necessary college requirements.
The courses you
select can make or break your admittance into the best colleges
and universities.
Let’s face it. A
homeschooled student with a transcript full of vocational or
general academic courses will not stand a chance against a
homeschooled student with college preparatory classes.
Furthermore, a homeschool student who waits until tenth grade to
begin college preparatory math and science courses is already a
minimum of a year behind other college candidates.
Begin in Middle
School.
If your student has
the ability to handle higher-level math courses in middle
school, by all means start them then. At the minimum, you
should aim to provide Pre-Algebra in 8th grade in
order that your student can move on to Algebra I in high
school. However, avoid the temptation to push a student into
higher-level math if he or she is not ready. This will only set
up a student for struggle and/or failure in the future, which
will not only affect a student’s overall picture, but also his
confidence to continue.
Select Courses
that Prepare your Homeschooled Student for the Rigors of
College.
The courses you
select in high school can not only make or break your college
acceptance but can make or break a student’s ability to succeed
in a college course. Not only do you want to select courses
that fit in with a college preparatory course of study, but that
are also accelerated enough to challenge your student at a
higher level. Finding the easiest Algebra course you can find
will not prepare your homeschool student for success in a
college atmosphere. Choose wisely.
A good
self-instructional course is ideal for your homeschooling
program since it will require less expertise on the part of the
parent and more independence on the part of your student. The
ability to work independently is one of the greatest assets that
homeschool students bring to a college or university.
Access a typical college
preparatory course of study at
Bridgeway Academy’s high school
site
Advanced Placement
courses are also ideal for the homeschooling student.
|
 We
know these colleges and universities want your
homeschooled student at
homeschoolfriendlycolleges.com, take a look! |
Advanced Placement (AP)
courses not only give students the opportunity to pursue
college-level studies while in high school but also to vamp up
their college applications. There are currently thirty-four
courses in 19 subject areas offered as AP courses. Scores on
AP exams may help colleges predict which students are more
likely to graduate on time and therefore cost the college less
in student aid (and for that matter cost you less in college
tuition costs).
Research conducted
by the University of California, Berkeley, indicates that
correlations exist between success in AP courses and success in
college. Students who earn an AP exam grade of 3 or higher are
more likely to complete a bachelor’s degree in four years than
their peers. Since AP courses are becoming more and more
important in the college screening process, I encourage you to
pursue at least one AP course in your student’s high school
career.
Extra-curricular Activities add to your marketability!
Another critical
element to your home school program is your student’s
extracurricular and volunteer activities. To a college
counselor, these are an absolute must! And to your student,
they are an incredibly valuable addition to his or her
development as an individual.
Not only will these
extras strengthen your home school student’s college
applications, the skills learned from volunteer work, sports and
other extracurricular activities are essential for enhancing
social skills, building confidence and enriching your student’s
life. Therefore, no matter what your student’s aspirations, I
strongly recommend you engage him or her in extracurricular
pursuits and volunteerism.
In that case of
building your college applications; however, students should
choose activities they enjoy and stick with them. College
admission counselors aren’t interested in seeing students ‘do it
all.’ Instead, they are looking for a commitment and passion
for an activity outside of the classroom.
Keep track of all
activities and awards and include them on your student
résumés. Look for leadership opportunities and activities that
will impact your community for the good. Find a contribution
that will set you apart and allow your student to stand out.
College admission counselors like to see students who are
leaders. . .in and out of the classroom. |
 |
|
Applying early puts your name at the forefront!
One major disadvantage for homeschooling students is the fact that they do not have a guidance counselor breathing down their neck to get their college applications in the mail. Most colleges and universities have early admissions programs, which will allow your students to get ahead of the game of college applications.
Take advantage of early admission deadlines! Better yet, get those applications in as early as possible—don’t wait until the due date to put them in the mail.
Many students find this to be a very intimidating process; however, since this is your opportunity to put your best foot forward, it is not something you want to wait until the last minute before beginning the college enrollment process.
Some basic Do’s and Don’ts that will help make your college application and acceptance process a success!
Do
-
Read applications and directions carefully.
-
Make sure that everything that is supposed to
be included is enclosed.
-
Fill out your own applications. Type the
information yourself to avoid crucial mistakes.
-
Start with the simple applications and then
progress to the more complex ones.
-
Make copies of applications, and practice
filling one out before you complete the original.
-
Type or neatly print your answers, and then
proofread the applications and essays several times for
accuracy. Also ask someone else to proofread them for you.
-
If asked, describe how you can make a
contribution to the schools to which you apply.
-
Be truthful, and do not exaggerate your
accomplishments.
- Keep a copy of all forms you submit to
colleges.
- Be thorough and on time
Do not
- Use correction fluid. If you type your
application, use a correctable typewriter or the
liftoff strips to correct mistakes. Better yet, fill
out your application on line.
- Write in script. If you don’t have access to a
computer or typewriter, print neatly.
- Leave blank spaces. Missing information may
cause your application to be sent back or delayed
while admission officers wait for complete
information.
- Be unclear. If the question calls for a specific
answer, don’t try to dodge it by being vague.
- Put it off
College is an exciting time that can be very
rewarding! Preparing yourself early will keep you
competitive, while acting proactively is essential to
obtaining admission into the college or university
of your choice!
Bridgeway Academy offers
college admission and acceptance help to all of its
homeschooling families, including an incredible
college search engine that allows students to
navigate 100’s of
homeschool friendly colleges and universities all
across the United States! We know these colleges and
universities want your homeschooled student because they
have invested advertising dollars to be listed at
homeschoolfriendlycolleges.com, take a look!
Sign up for the Homeschool Advisor
Newsletter to receive more useful homeschooling tips, use the form below
to join.
Bridgeway
Homeschool Academy has a passion for homeschooling
and a desire to provide the best homeschooling options
to parents and students all across the globe.
Copyright © 2005-2007
Homeschoolacademy.com All Rights Reserved.
Acceptable use policy of homeschoolacademy.com
content.
|
Related Homeschooling Articles
Why a Home School Academy?
Bonus: The top pick of a
homeschooling mom and school principal
Common Disadvantages of Public Schools
Compare homeschooling versus public school - private
schools.
Ten Signs that You Need to Find a Different Kind of
Education for Your Child?
How do you know that it is time to look for another
educational approach for your child?
|
Print This Page
![Print Homeschool Articles, printing homeschooling information](../../articles/images/ubuntuprinting1.jpg?print=<a+href="javascript:window.print()">Print+This+Page</a>)
e-mail a friend
 |
|
|
Home school tips
|
|
Attention Parents:
Are these Top 10
common homeschooling mistakes and problems
causing your headaches?
Report Reveals How to Avoid Them
|
|
|
|
Helping Homeschoolers Succeed
