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