<p>To get into college if you've done high school online/homeschool, you know?</p>
<p>Does anyone know what I'm talking about? The high school studies I'm doing is accredited, so...</p>
<p>it can be a little trickier than if you come from a regular high school -- some colleges want extra SAT II subject tests and many schools will look more closely at test scores than GPA if the courses you took were graded by a parent or friend.</p>
<p>that doesn't mean that you will necessarily have trouble getting into a college -- Harvard, Stanford, Princeton and Yale all admit homeschoolers every year</p>
<p>The difference is the application -- how you present yourself. </p>
<p>If you want some good solid advice, tell us what grade you are in, if you have taken any standardized tests yet and what kind of classes you take (self-study, online, etc). also --what colleges are you looking at?</p>
<p>it can be done -- it just may be a little more work.</p>
<p>by the say -- accredited programs or non-accredited usually doesn't make a difference, unless you are looking at competitive college sports. Otherwise -- most colleges don't really care.</p>
<p>The most important thing to do is to go online and look at the colleges that you are likely to apply to and find out NOW what they require from home-school applicants. It varies widely. Some want a minimum of three SAT IIs (usually in math, and two of choice, but GA Tech requires a chemistry SAT II from home-schoolers), others want up to seven. Some colleges ask for a portfolio (of class descriptions, texts used, transcript, work samples, etc...). Some techincal schools might even require a GED (most colleges will not especially since you have an accredited program. </p>
<p>You won't know what is required until you go an find that info - and the time to do it is now rather than later. It will help you prepare.</p>
<p>I have to say that having a HS diploma from an accredited correspondence or Online program makes a huge difference. When I would ask at the college fairs about the requirements, when I said she was graduating from a University High school, they said, "Oh, that's different" She didn't take any SATII's or AP's. Her SAT was good, and she had a transcript with grades. She really was treated as well as a regular student in my opinion. We also sent in additional information that had to do with her activities, as well as her non accredited Home School classes. But the best part is that she said the independent study prepared her for college, and she is doing very well there. It's really not just getting in, it's how you adjust to college, and how you like it.</p>
<p>lotsofbooks -- I can see why having a transcript from a "university high school" would make a difference. That doesn't really sound like an online/accredited homeschool program type of school.</p>
<p>I think there is a wide range of "accredited" programs for high schoolers and many of them are not considered to be better than straight homeschooling.</p>
<p>A couple of years ago when we were looking at options for my son, we looked at NAHRS and a couple of other accredited homeschooling programs. We also looked at the virtual charter schools. We contact about 12 different colleges to ask about admissions. We were told that graduating from a virtual charter school would be the same as any public school in terms of admissions -- but we were also told that a student graduating from any of the accredited home schooling programs would be treated as every other homeschooler -- with the additional requirements, if the school had them. We even had an admin officer ask us why we would pay someone else to keep the records -- that they accepted homeschool transcripts from parents. It was suggested that our child take outside classes -- like dual enrollment. We talk to top schools, including Ivys, state schools and some small LAC,s</p>
<p>dontgiveup -- what program are you enrolled in?</p>
<p>My parents don't teach me, I just read the books then take the test online.
I know this is going to sound weird but there's no particular grade, it's all grades from 9th to 12th combined into one, you with me on that one?! lol
I have not always been homeschooled, I went to a private school from kindergarten to 4th grade, somehow or another my grandfather couldn't afford it anymore so I had to transfer to a public school in the 5th grade. I went there up to 6th grade I didn't really fit in, people thought I was stuck up and all that good stuff, so my mom decided to homeschool me, she did 7th and 8th grade until I found this program which would help me get my high school diploma quicker. I'm 16 now and I hope to have my high school diploma by 17, it won't be anything astonishing but hey, most people get their high school diploma at 18 or 19 (at traditional high schools).</p>
<p>No replies, wow, don't I feel like a dumbass...</p>
<p>Don't feel bad. Some of us don't get to this forum very often. How hard it will be to get into college will depend upon where you are applying. I don't think there would be a problem getting into a state college or a college that isn't too selective. Community college, of course, would be no problem at all.</p>
<p>For selective colleges it would depend upon what else you have done. You would need some good extracurricular activities outside the home, such as sports, volunteer work, internships, work, clubs, etc. They would want to see that you can interact with others and take leadership in some activities.</p>
<p>If possible, it would be good to take at least a couple of community college classes before going off to college. In some states the state or local school district will pay for this if you are dual enrolled (enrolled as a high school student). It reassures colleges to know you can handle the classroom as well as independent study.</p>
<p>Good luck to you!</p>
<p>Also make sure you have done the college prep courses required for most colleges. Generally this is 4 years of math(Algebra 1 and 2 and geometry plus advanced math), 4 years English (world, American and British lit and advanced composition), 3 years science (one life and one physical with labs and one other - generally biology, chemisty and physics), 3 years social science (American history, World history and a political science 1/2 credit with economics 1/2 credit), 2 years SAME foreign language plus enough electives to make up about 24 credit units (full year courses). Varies with colleges - look at the ones you are interested in for more information.</p>
<p>I looked into homeschooling my D for her senior year. When I looked into different programs, they gave me lists of colleges that have recently accepted kids who did their home-schooling programs. I was surprised to see how many of the kids got into Ivies. Definitely ask this question.</p>
<p>Is it an absolute must to know world history and all to get into college? I get really bored with history work...</p>
<p>Who are you using?</p>
<p>Depending on what program you are using, most likely not. Accredited is usually better, but if it's a junker of a school with only basic courses then you may run into some problems. I'm going with Keystone, they have honors and AP. I'd suggest looking into them for at least some classes. Honors and AP will definitely show you can do some work!</p>
<p>Just look up what colleges you want to go to, see what they require, and build around that. It won't be any harder than a public schooled kid if you are doing a good program.</p>
<p>Okay, I feel really embarrassed about this, but it's penn foster. I know it's probably a low program, right? I mean just tell me the truth, be brutally honest with me . . .</p>
<p>I just got a flyer from Penn Foster. I looked up their website--I actually don't see any red flags. I believe they even had a calculus class, right? So that's definitely a cut above. I actually judge a lot of the quality of courses by the books that are used---but they weren't listed. One point is they didn't say anything about being NCAA approved, as some of the programs are. That would be the only issue I could see. However, if you feel this program doesn't have enough "meat" to it, then simply supplement with either your local CC or even some additional distance education for college. Look to LSU for some reasonably priced college courses, also U. of North Dakota. Each offers their special niche, ie LSU had Civil War Literature, U. of Nevada Reno has extensive Distance Ed. Languages. Each of these programs will issue you a sealed transcript that can be used for college applications. It doesn't appear to be a problem to offer up more than one transcript. (we've done that) Nothing wrong with a bare bones high school program richly supplemented by additional course work as well as volunteer hours that really can be in your area of interest. Make your transcript reflect your interests--not just a school requirement.</p>
<p>Thanks for advice.
I'm looking into liberal arts colleges...</p>
<p>Penn Foster may make it difficult for some better colleges but for most state colleges and such I wouldn't think there would be too much of an issue. If they accept GED's then they will accept Penn Foster or the other one called James Madison.</p>
<p>I would suggest you contact a few colleges you are looking at and ask them. It is a busy time for them, but the more selective colleges may be leery of the program you are in. Best to do some checking -- I think it would be fine for a community college and most state schools.</p>
<p>So if I went to a community college for about a year, would that make it easier/better for me to get into a college of my choice?</p>