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