High School Diploma or Equivalent before applying?

Pre-College Issues Home Schooling and College
1

So, I’ve searched the forums—albeit, not as thoroughly as I probably should have, but frankly I’m on a very tight schedule. ._.

Good grief. Seconds into my post and I digress…

…Anyway, I’m a home schooled-somewhat unschooled individual who’s applying to several 4-year educational institutions this month (for fall 2016). It’s somewhat unclear to me whether I should be acquiring my GED/high school diploma equivalent before applying. I’ve read much literature online—particularly on the websites of the universities I wish to attend. Many of these colleges require a high school diploma or an equivalent before enrollment. I have a friend pushing me to earn my GED before applying. I’ve called several universities/colleges and I’ve yet to speak to a live person. I’ve ventured over to a couple of universities, but both times I was told to email or call a certain department. I’ve also searched the forums and google. Maybe my search engine prowess isn’t exactly all that great.

I understand some 4-year colleges don’t care whether you have a GED/high school diploma or not. Some require you to have one before enrollment. But, do I need one prior to applying to a 4-year college? If not, I’ll just schedule my GED exam sometime down the line prior to enrollment because this little issue is kind of taking precedence over actual important things in my life at the moment (currently scheduled to take the GED exam two days from now).

I’m also figuring out what sub-forum this post would be best suited for because, technically I suppose I am a non-traditional student, but this is more accurately a “general” general admissions question. But, I’m a non-traditional student. Special circumstances?

I’ll mull in the corner while awaiting a much-appreciated response.

edit: I’ve read material on several university web-pages that define what a freshman applicant looks like. The reason for this post is mostly due to a friend, who’s familiar with the college admission process, pushing me to acquire my GED before applying.

2

What state are you in? NYS requires state residents to show high school equivalency, but a letter from the district superintendent will suffice. Find out what your state homeschool laws are. The requirements of the colleges you’re applying to will be on their websites. Have you read them?

3

I’ve read them. Some mention a high school diploma or equivalent before enrollment, but no mention of acquiring one before applying. I’m mostly curious as to how to proceed since my friend is convinced that I need to acquire a GED before even applying, which I think is a little absurd considering all of the evidence/literature suggesting otherwise.

I’m in California.

I’m originally from New York. Also…ehh…it’s an incredibly long story. But, long story short: I’ve taken several community college courses to supplement my home school curriculum/curricula. My “homeschool” isn’t exactly formal either. I suppose I’m closer to “unschooling” (not by choice.)

4

No, you do not need a diploma before applying. If you have your diploma before applying, you will be considered a transfer student.

5

That’s what I told my friend. ._.

I suppose he wanted to hear it from another mouth.

…or through the strokes of another keyboard. shrugs In any event, thank you both for your responses. :slight_smile:

6

My D, a California resident, didn’t have HS diploma when she applied to college. She was admitted to various private universities, and to several UC campuses. But it was obvious that she completed HS education (2360 SAT, 4 SAT 2 scores from 780 - 800, 7 AP tests - all 5). She just didn’t have a piece of paper saying so.

The OP is talking about HS diploma. In CA, a “transfer student” means one who has completed a number of university-level classes (I think 56 semester units).

7

Most traditional students are still in high school when applying. Why would a homeschool student be any different during the application process?

8

Most colleges say if a student takes any classes after they graduate, they will be considered a transfer student, not a freshman. There are exceptions. For instance, one of my sons is on a gap year and will begin as a freshman at U Penn next fall. Penn, because it’s an Ivy that doesn’t take community college classes for transfer credit, is allowing my son to take a couple of classes at the local CC for personal growth.

But the UCs are clear that if you take any classes past your high school diploma, you will be considered a transfer applicant and not a freshman applicant. Many/most other colleges are the same (unless they’ve agreed to let you take classes in the summer following your senior year)