<p>Colleges ask me to provide a transcript with GPA and an explanation of my evaluation standard. But the problem is I don't have GPA! My homeschool is more like self-studying. And neither my parents or I give myself tests like schools do at the end of a year or a semester. But I have taken the SAT and am going to take 4 SAT2. What can I do now? How can I explain this to colleges? I also wonder if other homeschoolers provide GPA to colleges? Thanks!!!</p>
<p>What grade are you in right now?</p>
<p>In most cases you really need some sort of outside verification. Community college classes, AP tests, SAT 2s, etc will all tell the colleges what your readiness are. A lot of people use “narrative transcripts” where they explain their classes with a paragraph or so and a reading list.</p>
<p>Find posts by danas, who (I think) did more unschooley stuff. Also look at the Common App homeschool supplement and see what they suggest.</p>
<p>For a transcript without the graded parts, you shouldn’t have too much trouble. Just list the subjects you’ve self-studied.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>^Thanks, GeekMom.</p>
<p>Actually, I’ve graduated last year(took a gap year). Do you know where I can find a sample of a narrative transcript? And should I incorporate my reading list into the transcript? I once asked an AO from NYU and she said they don’t accept a separate reading list. </p>
<p>The thing that I’m worried about the most is that, does a non-grades transcript would make me less competitive compared to students from traditional schools?</p>
<p>We didn’t use a narrative transcript because my son had a ton of CC classes; we just gave “S” for the self-study classes. I’d imagine you could find many examples if you google it.</p>
<p>As far as a non-grades transcript making you less competitive, probably, without any backup. How can they know what you’ve really done? Contact the admissions departments of interest and ask for their suggestions.</p>
<p>Are you planning to apply in fall? If so, you have plenty of time to take a few more SAT 2s, maybe an AP or two. Get letters from people in the community that you’ve studied with, worked with, volunteered with - anything that lets the colleges know you know what you’re doing. You might even want to consider a GED, again, talk to the colleges of interest to find out.</p>
<p>GeekMom63: Were all of his [your son] home school (i.e. every class not at a community college or other institution) classes labeled S, out of curiosity?</p>
<p>@PurplePeach - Yes, except for Bio, where he got a 750 on the SAT 2, and another subject, where he produced something for someone who wrote him one of his LORs. For both of those, since there was outside verification, I gave him an A. </p>
<p>He had enough credits for an AS (which was awarded to him BEFORE we graduated him from high school).</p>
<p>PM me if you want more details. :)</p>
<p>GeekMom63: Well, technically, an SAT Subject Test score isn’t precisely equivalent to grades from a series of exams, but I suppose it works. q:</p>
<p>Aside from that, I think I will take up on your PM offer, because you say your son is in Harvey Mudd College, which seems odd to me.</p>
<p>Similar to GeekMom but different-my son had only 52-55 units of community college classes. I gave him grades for all other classes; some were self-study but most were outside classes. I used letter grades rather than S.</p>