<p>Okay - so I'm a fifteen year old homeschooler and am getting my highschool education through the American School of Correspondence (<a href="http://www.americanschoolofcorr.com)%5B/url%5D">www.americanschoolofcorr.com)</a>, and I was wondering - since I'm not at school - what are my chances of getting into an ivy league school or, to be more exact, what should I do to increase my chances.</p>
<p>I can't join the debate club or anything like that since I'm not in school and I live in a small university town where there aren't a lot of options for extracurriculars. I was thinking about volunteering at our local raptor center and the library and such, and I have an A average but I know that alone isn't enough.</p>
<p>I'm hoping to major in journalism and am really passionate about it, but I'm at a loss about what schools are best for journalism programs and what I should be working at to get in.</p>
<p>Any advice for a newbie? I'd owe you forever.</p>
<p>I don't know much about how homeschooling is considered versus private or public school. I think there's a homeschooling forum on CC (go to the 'home' and look towards the bottom of the page) that might help.</p>
<p>However, I would assume that colleges will understand that you can't join clubs the way that kids at a school can. Joining a volunteer group and working at the library sound like good ideas. What's important is to show that you are passionate about some activities that are outside academic classes.</p>
<p>Could you try for an intership at a newspaper during a summer or something? I know local newspapers sometimes have that. Anything that shows your interest in reading/writing is good.</p>
<p>In addition, colleges like to see that you have leadership. If you can start a group or help direct or raise money for something, that would be a plus too.</p>
<p>The only cautionary point I put on this is to do things you enjoy. Don't join an activity because you feel you need to for colleges to look at you. Do it because you enjoy it and you want to be engaged and interested in your community or activity. Trust me, it makes things better all around.</p>
<p>In terms of colleges that have good journalism programs, the one that jumps to mind is Northwestern. Northwestern has a really well-known journalism program. I'm sure there are others, but I can't of any at the moment.</p>
<p>I know that there are a lot of jobs you can get or internships having to do with journalism if you just search for em. If you're interested in Math or Science I know that some competitions accept independent entries which means you don't have to belong to a school to compete.</p>
<p>About the schools having good journalism programs, Northwestern has a great one that they are known for. Although it's not ivy, it's close up there.</p>