Homeschooling And College - What's the Scoop?

Opponents of homeschooling have argued that children who are homeschooled have a much more difficult time with college admittance, than do children who have attended a traditional classroom setting.

Fortunately the vast majority of colleges are eagerly accepting students who were schooled at home, and that number continues to rise.

The largest hurdle homeschooled students face when it comes to applying to the college of their choice is the lack of traditional transcripts (some parents get around this problem by keeping transcripts of their own) and diploma (although many accredited curriculum programs provide this too). When these things don’t physically exist, some colleges will ask the student to obtain a GED. Most colleges require the student to take other standardized tests, such as the ACT and/or SAT.

In addition to these tests, students can also put together a portfolio of their own, including detailed accounts of completed course, advanced placement tests, proof of attending community education or pre-college courses and volunteer work undertaken.

They might also consider the inclusion of character references from family, friends, clergy and employers. Perhaps also include an essay, which explains the student's interest and goals for the future.

The lack of records problem can be resolved by enrolling your child in an online homeschool educational program. These schools do offer hard copies of transcripts and report cards. These documents are usually sufficient, in the eyes of the Admissions Dept.

You can search for accredited online school programs, using your favorite search engine. You will probably be surprised at the number of accredited online school programs available to you. They cost more than if you create your child’s curriculum yourself, but, it may be worth it to you if are new to homeschooling or don’t wish to devote time to course preparation.

Like traditionally schooled students, homeschooled students need to take the time to find the college which will best meet their educational needs. It should be a well thought out decision that entails contacting several schools.

Make the final choice after determining which schools are the most willing to assist homeschool graduates with the admission process. You will find that many colleges are very receptive to the needs and wants of students schooled in a home environment. For more information: Homeschooling and College Admission