Homeschooling has become a popular choice for many families. As such, this new way of learning has raised questions about the potential of a homeschooled child’s ability to get into college. Fortunately, the answer is yes!
Homeschooling children can absolutely get into college and be successful. To ensure that your homeschooled child is on the path to attending a higher education institution, here are the 15 most important steps to take.
1. Research Colleges That Accept Homeschoolers
The first step to getting your homeschooled child into college is to research which schools are willing to accept them. Make sure to look for schools that are friendly to homeschooled applicants – some universities may be more open to homeschoolers than others.
It’s important to take into account that some universities may not be available for the homeschooled applicant to attend, due to the institution’s educational policy. Additionally, it may be useful to research the highest-ranked schools, as these tend to be more lenient with homeschooler admissions.
2. Prepare Your Homeschool Student For College
Once you’ve identified which colleges your homeschooled child could potentially attend, your next step should be to prepare them for their future studies. Start by ensuring they have a solid understanding of the subjects they plan to study in college, as well as any skills they will need to succeed.
That can include courses on English, Math, Science, Humanities, and Social Science. Additionally, make sure your homeschooled student has a strong foundation in writing, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. All of these qualifications will come in handy when applying to college.
3. Familiarize Your Child With the College Admissions Process
Once your homeschool student is adequately prepared for college, it’s time to familiarize them with the college admissions process. As a homeschooler, the admissions process may look a bit different than your traditional student – but it’s no less important.
Make sure your student has a clear understanding of the admissions requirements, such as the submission of transcripts, SAT/ACT scores, and recommendation letters. Additionally, you may want to advise them on crafting an effective college essay and/or performing well at college interviews.
4. Seek Out Standardized Testing Opportunities
Standardized testing is an important part of the college admissions process, and homeschool students are no exception to the rule. To make sure that your homeschooled student has a solid chance of entering the college of their choice, they must first demonstrate their academic abilities through standardized testing.
Unfortunately, homeschoolers may be at a slight disadvantage here as some states do not consider them as eligible to take the SAT/ACT tests. If this is the case, seek out alternative testing opportunities such as CLEP (College Level Examination Program) and AP (Advanced Placement) tests.
5. Stay In Touch With Former Teachers or Homeschool Instructors
When applying to college as a homeschooler, it’s important to have some evidence of academic and extracurricular experience. This is especially relevant if they have no prior experience with traditional high school courses. To demonstrate the value of their skills and abilities, it’s important to stay in touch with former teachers or homeschool instructors.
These individuals can be a great source of reference and recommendation letters when submitting a college application.
6. Research Scholarships Specific to Homeschoolers
The college admissions process isn’t just about studying for tests and gathering reference letters. One of the most overlooked aspects of the process is the search for scholarships. Unfortunately, for homeschooled applicants, this can be even more difficult due to less options available.
Make sure to do your research to identify specific scholarships that cater to homeschoolers. Sites such as Homeschooler Connection and the National Home Education Research Institute can be helpful resources in this endeavor.
7. Take Advantage of Specialized Homeschool Programs
If your child is still in the earlier stages of homeschooling, certain programs may be available to give your child an advantage when it comes to college. These programs, such as the Homeschooling Through High School (HTHS) program, are specifically designed to give homeschoolers a leg up when it comes to college admissions. Services like this are essential for future aspiring students who don’t go the traditional high school route.
8. Foster Leadership and Volunteering Activities
Leadership and volunteering opportunities are two important criteria for college admissions. Thus, it’s important to encourage your homeschooled child to sign up for activities that allow them to demonstrate their people skills. Such activities can include joining a sports team, joining a student organization, volunteer work, or participating in an internship.
These may be especially helpful for homeschoolers, as they can give them an edge in the admissions process.
9. Have an Open Conversation About Finances
Finance is one of the most important issues to consider when considering college. It’s highly recommended to have an open conversation with your homeschooled child about their plans to finance their college education.
This includes discussing loans, scholarships, and financial aid options. If appropriate, you may also want to invest in college savings plans to give yourself and your child a financial advantage during the admissions process.
10. Practice Interview Skills
Another factor to consider is the college interview process. This is a major challenge for homeschoolers and other nontraditional students. To ensure that your homeschooled child does wonderfully at the interview, it’s important to practice those skills.
Rehearse mock interviews with them, or have them get advice from someone who has gone through the college admissions process. This can be a great way to help them feel more at ease and more confident when they go into the admissions process.
11. Seek Out National or Local Homeschool Admissions Counselors
To really make sure your homeschool student is on the right path to college, seek out the help of a professional. Homeschool admissions counseling services are available to help guide students through the college admissions process. Whether locally or nationally, these services are invaluable for homeschoolers who may be struggling or need a bit of help with the process.
12. Speak To Other Homeschoolers Who Have Been Admitted To College
Another great source of information for homeschoolers is their peers. Speak to homeschoolers who have already been accepted to college and see what tips and tricks they may have for future applicants. Such research can be incredibly helpful, as it can help homeschoolers gain insight into the admissions process from someone who has gone through it.
13. Look For Special Admissions Opportunities
Not all colleges are the same, and some may have admissions policies that favor homeschoolers. Look around and research the admissions process of each college you are interested in.
Some colleges may provide exclusive homeschool scholarships or special admissions opportunities specifically for homeschoolers. Taking advantage of such offerings could dramatically increase your child’s chances of getting accepted.
14. Create a List of Forms and Documents Needed for Admissions
This step is critical if you want to make sure you don’t miss any crucial documents. Create a checklist of all the necessary forms and documents needed for college admissions – such as transcripts, test scores, letters of recommendation, and essays. That way, you can ensure that you are always on top of the admissions process and not miss any important deadlines.
15. Monitor the Admissions Timeline
Finally, when it comes time to apply to colleges, be sure to keep an eye on the admissions timeline. Many colleges have their own deadlines, so make sure to keep track of those to ensure your child’s application is received in a timely manner. For more information on the admissions timeline, contact each college you are interested in.
Conclusion: Homeschooling can be a great way to ensure that your child gets the education they need and obtains the skills needed to succeed in college. To make sure that your homeschooled student is on track for college admissions, be sure to take the necessary steps like researching colleges, preparing for college, and staying in touch with former teachers and homeschool instructors.
With the correct preparation, your homeschooled child will be on their way towards the path of higher education.