Homeschool VS Bad High School Diploma

I’m a junior this year and I’m taking many Dual Enrollment classes all through this year and my Senior year.
For my senior year we’re considering enrolling me at the High School in our county so I can get a “High School Diploma” and have that on my transcript.

What I’m wondering is if that would actually help or hurt my college application considering the High School is very low ranked. (It has a C rating) Do you think Dual Enrollment would be enough to show I actually got a “good education”. (I have straight As as of now)

There is no reason to enroll in a high school provided your state will recognize your home school diploma. Finishing up with just your dual enrollment makes better sense.

Absolutely no reason to enroll, especially if you have outside validation of your accomplishments like DE or test scores.

Some states have very strict high school graduation requirements so that homeschoolers who transfer in almost have to start over. Confirm how the high school would handle it before you ever take that step.

Thank you so much, I’m planning on taking 2 SAT subject tests and the SAT in the spring. :slight_smile:

As a total aside going to a “bad” high school does not make one a bad college applicant. A good candidate coming out of a high school who very,very rarely sends kids to elite colleges can actually be a bit of a draw.

You want your college application to tell a story, a story of who you are, and possibly a unique story that sets you apart or at least makes people think twice about you.

Look at the college websites of schools you are interested in. Some are more homeschool friendly than others. Some will list the percentage of homeschoolers in their most recent freshman class.

Some colleges make acceptance decisions on stats and facts, others use more holistic parameters. Most will judge your academic rigor based on what resources were available to you at your high school/homeschool. But joining a public high school for senior year could confuse the narrative you are trying to convey.

Sometimes there is a compelling reason to join the public high school late, like a parent had to go back to work. But just making the switch to get a piece of paper seems to devalue the reasons you homeschooled in the first place.

You have excellent outside validation of your academic ability . Do you have outside activities like debate, music, scouts, employment, volunteering, church groups, etc? Having an outside adult who can write an authentic recommendation letter about your dedication, character and responsibility would be another way to show you are a great addition to a college.

Think about where you are headed, and which path to high school graduation best serves you.

Dual enrollment is very good. If your state recognizes your homeschooling diploma, colleges will have no problem and will actually prefer the rigor of taking dual enrollment classes .