<p>I was considering taking several CLEP tests over the summer. My sophomore year course-work was not recorded well enough to earn official credit (I work with NARHS) and so I figured I could earn credits for the subjects I studied through CLEP work. Next year I will be a senior, so I'll be applying to colleges ASAP. </p>
<p>I have a couple of questions-- Might I be turned down on the basis of having credits from CLEP as opposed to credits from an actually class? Also-- how do most colleges reach towards NARHS? Would a homespun transcript be better accepted?</p>
<p>I don't know much about NARHS. I know most colleges will accept a homespun transcript--that's all my boys had. (Well, they also had partial transcripts from high school and community college, where they attended part-time...) </p>
<p>As for CLEP, are you using that for high school credit or trying to get college credit? CLEP tests might be used to justify grades in high school, but shouldn't replace course work. And they will be accepted by some colleges, but not by others, if you are looking toward getting college credit.</p>
<p>NARHS was just deemed a "diploma mill" by the NCAA. This may affect how colleges view their transcripts. Certainly if you may want to participate in intercollegiate athletics do NOT go in with a NARHS transcript. The news article I read said that a homeschooled student who only had NARHS in the 9th grade was judged ineligible to compete (she had an athletic scholarship, which I imagine was also affected).</p>
<p>I don't know any more about the subject than that. If it were me, I would go with a homespun transcript. I certainly have never heard that a NARHS transcript has any more credence.</p>
<p>You can see which colleges accept CLEP on the College Board web site. Actually, it seems like more and more colleges are accepting them. Even if a college doesn't, it does provide some objective verification of your learning.</p>
<p>BUT you don't need anyone to GRANT you credit for everything. You can choose to show some evidence of learning like CLEP, SAT II, or AP tests or outside classes/umbrella review -- but it is hardly necessary for every class.</p>
<p>Hi. First of all, as a homeschooler you will not be expected to show credits from actual classes. College admissions officers have seen enough homeschoolers to understand that homeschooling by definition means there aren't classes. Now, if you choose to take outside classes, definitely submit the grades as they will demonstrate your ability to do official classroom work.</p>
<p>re: NARHS. I researched the program and discovered that 1) they aren't actually accredited, and 2) as previously reported on this thread, they are now considered a diploma mill and have lost credibility. </p>
<p>Homeschoolers can submit homemade transcripts proudly. I also researched CLEPS and discovered that the College Board website overreports which colleges accept the scores. Some of the colleges that the College Board claims to accept scores from CLEPS denied it when asked. I suggest that if you have a short list of colleges, you check with them individually regarding CLEPs. However, taking CLEPs may still work to your advantage as the scores can give your homemade transcript additional credence.</p>
<p>I'm surprised that CB doesn't accurately report who accepts CLEPs. Is the problem that only certain tests are accepted at particular institutions or places don't accept them at all and yet are still listed? I know for AP tests, colleges may accept some tests but not others.</p>
<p>I would like the CLEP scores for highschool credit. Though it would be great if the credit carried over into college, my main goal is to have real highschool credit.</p>
<p>I'm very disappointed about the whole NARHS issue. I've spent so much time trying to make an official transcript! When I talked to a school in my area, they said that they accepted students with no official transcript, but that they could not offer academic scholarships, which is why I began working with NARHS. However, I'd rather not boast a diploma-mill diploma... Then again, is a NARHS diploma any less acredited then a homespun transcript?</p>
<p>I understand your disappointment with the NARHS issue; I would be quite annoyed if I were you. Since there are not degrees of accreditation, a NARHS can't be less accredited than anything. It either is accredited or not. </p>
<p>CLEPS for high school credit are a great idea. I do know that many colleges accept the credits as well, but the only way to know for sure is to contact their admissions offices and ask. I have simply emailed a quick question:
Which CLEP exams do you give credit for? And I have received simple email responses back.</p>
<p>NARHS or NARS is a REAL PRIVATE HIGH SCHOOL. Plain and simple. Read below.</p>
<p>Education Commissioner Apologizes to North Atlantic Regional High School (NARHS)</p>
<p>PRWeb: "In a rare, official government apology and retraction, the North Atlantic Regional High School in Lewiston, Maine, received an official letter from Maine's Commissioner of Education. After false statements about this private school were given to the press, colleges, the military, and others, the school sought the assistance of Maine’s leaders. School administrator, Steve Moitozo, met with the State’s Assistant Attorney General, representatives from the Senate leadership, the State House Representative from the school’s district, the school’s attorney, and the Commissioner, Susan Gendron. When presented the facts of the case, the Commissioner took corrective action with her staff.</p>
<p>Lewiston, ME (PRWEB) June 27, 2006 -- The North Atlantic Regional High School has received a written, formal apology from the Maine Department of Education Commissioner, Susan Gendron.</p>
<p>In part, the letter states, 'The Maine Department of Education retracts the inappropriate statements made by Edwin Kastuck (and those associated with him) concerning the North Atlantic Regional High School ('NARHS') suggesting that NARHS was not a lawfully operating school which could issue diplomas and that NARHS was a 'diploma mill' selling diplomas to customers. These statements, which were not authorized by me, made to the press, to the military, and families were ill-chosen, beyond the authority of Mr. Kastuck or any employee of the Department of Education to make, and inaccurate...'"</p>
<p>I will second what countheretic has stated. NARS is a real brick and mortar credentialed school that also works with homeschoolers.</p>
<p>We used NARS and none of the schools my kids applied to had a problem with a transcript/diploma from NARS.</p>
<p>Also, some schools accept CLEPs and some do not. The College Board info is sadly inaccurate. (Or should I say shockingly inaccurate.) It is also true that not all colleges accept APs. CLEPs are simply a more 'homeschool friendly' exam than APs. Not all high schools are willing to allow a homeschooler come in and take an AP at their school but all testing centers are very open to having homeschoolers come in and take CLEPs.</p>
<p>I've heard a lot of you say that you have had no problems with using a 'homespun' transcript, along with decent SAT, extra curricular, etc... If only it was that easy for me!</p>
<p>I am trying to get into UMass Amherst and have essentially been told that my transcript is garbage and that I need to take the GED and when they have the results of that, then they will re-evaluate my application, using my GED scores in lieu of a transcript. Unfortunately I won't be able to have results to them until June and I'm afraid that by that point I won't end up getting accepted.</p>
<p>Has anyone else had a problem with UMass Amherst? Or any advice would be helpful!</p>
<p>xkonstantine
I do not have any experience with UMass Amherst, but this school is clearly not a homeschool-friendly school. I do hope that you have a back up plan as this school does not seem to know about the benefits that homeschooled students can bring to a campus.</p>
<p>I am curious to know why if you took the GED now, you would not have scores to send to a school until June. Is this test only offered once a year?</p>
<p>That said, your story is a cautionary tale to other homeschoolers. While may schools do accept 'homespun' transcripts, not all do. Since I knew that my son would be applying to a college that is not homeschool -friendly, we used NARS for his transcripts and this completely eliminated any problems. It is always wise to know exactly what a college will accept before applying as that will minimize any problems. </p>
<p>I'm sorry that you are having this difficulty. Let us know how this matter resolves.</p>