I’m a 8th grade drop out, currently 17 years old. I was supposed to be homeschooled by my parents, but my parents never got around to helping me start. They bought me a few books a few years back but I was too lazy to study them and I couldn’t concentrate; I pretty much ruined my education. My girlfriend, who really wants to help me succeed in life asked that I take the SAT and try and get into a college, I’m using Common App but I have a problem, I don’t have any transcripts and I don’t know what to put for my graduation date, nor do I know who to put as my counselor, I seriously need help.
Perhaps it would be better to start at a community college? Do you even have the equivalent of a high school education – could you keep up at a university?
I’d love to get a degree in Computer Science, I think I can keep up at a university to be honest, I’m very serious about my learning now and I really want to get the best education possible for my self. I don’t have a G.E.D but I will be getting one soon I believe.
Yes, explore the GED. Good, if you are. Later, you can speak with the admissions counselors at the closest cc, ask them how they suggest you proceed. If they’re useless, try another. The idea is to learn how to fill in any blanks, step by step.
Definitely get your GED first and then seriously consider starting at a community college. Since you haven’t been in a formal learning environment for years, a CC would give you a chance to ease back into it slowly, to learn how to study, and to do it all at a much lower cost than a 4-year university. Like someone else said, if the first counselor you talk to isn’t helpful, try another one. Not all counselors are good, but there definitely are some very good ones out there. By going to a CC for 2 years and then transferring, you won’t have to take the SAT’s, and you will have a chance to build up your credentials. Best of luck!!!
I’m a homeschooling parent, and I’m so sorry for your experience. The good news is that all is not lost - you have some great suggestions above.
What state are you in? Do you drive? Can you connect with an experienced (and diligent) homeschool counselor or family who could possibly give you some ideas on what to do next? I also like the idea of visiting with an adviser at a community college.
Also, be aware that not every college/university uses the Common App. In fact, most of the schools where my younger homeschooled son applied do not use it. They all require transcripts though, and I had to create that document which details everything he has studied in high school. He also has transcripts from the colleges where he dual enrolled. We send those along too, along with ordering his ACT scores.
Do you have any “feel” for how you would score on ACT or SAT? Perhaps you could take a practice test under timed conditions and score yourself. That would be something interesting to know, too.
My oldest homeschooled for a big chunk of high school, and he had a very non-traditional transcript. He also took SAT. He got into his college of choice (smaller local public university) but ended up not going and decided to work instead.
My point is that there is more than one way to accomplish your goals.