<p>I was home-schooled from the 7th grade to the end. I didn't do correspondence home-schooling so I have no real concrete records to show, but I did get my GED when I was 22, because I've always wanted to have a career one day. I am now 25, married, live in a different state - away from my siblings, and I don't have any friends my age to help point me in the right direction(my husbands a good bit older than me, btw), so I do a lot of searching on the internet to try to figure what I need to know or have to get into college. While that is helpful, I think I need more of a direct answer to my particular situation. I came across this site and I'm hoping that someone can tell me a little more of what is required of me to get into a college. I just want to go to a local college to become a lab technician and then maybe I would want to go further, but I think I should just start with the very basics of what I need to know to get into a college first. I'm older now and probably need to go back and relearn a lot, I can do that, I still have my books, I can get more books, but what should I start with? I mean, I never took any SAT test, is that required of me? Well, I guess you can see that I'm very confused about this whole process. I'm very shy, and I don't want to go to a college to inquire about going to school when I feel so ignorant and unprepared that they would probably think that I am incompetent. So does anybody that's been homeschooled and/or been through this kind of situation have any suggestions, or anybody at all for that matter?</p>
<p>go to the website of your friendly local community college and see what the requirements are. Since community colleges basically cater to adults returning to school, it is unlikely that an SAT would be required. You may be able to start taking classes with just your GED, or they may want you to take an alternate internal exam of some kind. Community colleges have lots of courses in "the basics", so I wouldn't worry about trying to prepare before starting.</p>
<p>I did do a search for my local community college. I can't find any that offer a program to get my Associate of Science Degree in Medical Laboratory Technology.
I have found a college that does offer the program, but they say,
"An entrance exam is required if the student does not have the results of a Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or American College Testing exam (ACT). If either one is available, the required scores are either a combined score of 800 on the SAT or a composite score of 17 on the ACT. "
Now, my question is, what do entrance exams test you on and is it very hard? and also, is it possible for me to take a SAT and/or ACT? I know I'm not a high school student of homeschool anymore, but if it's possible for me to take those test wouldn't it make me look better to a college? </p>
<p>Check with the college to ask about their particular entrance exam. It may or may not be a better route than the SAT.</p>
<p>Even though your local CC does not have the specific degree you are interested in, if it is closer/cheaper/more convenenient, you could still start off there with the general courses everyone needs. If you have credit for some college courses, you may be able to transfer to the college with the degree you want w/o taking the entrance exam.</p>
<p>The bottom line is probably that you need to talk to a counselor at one or both of the local schools you are interested in.</p>
<p>Thanks for your thoughts. I have actually been thinking about what the cost difference might be between the CC and the regular college. Money is a very big issue in my husband's and my life, so I do need to be more realistic in my search. I believe starting off with the general courses at a CC would be a very good idea in my circumstances, so I'm very glad you recommended that way to me. I'm not an ignorant person, I think I'm rather bright, but I don't know much about getting into college at all. I do have a sister and brother who have both been through college(one of them is younger) and they are both very successful. I, on the other hand, have always been painfully shy and that is the reason I am starting out so late, that is why I got my GED so late. I wasn't a dropout, I've always loved to learn and still do. My shyness, or to be more technical, my anxiety, is what has always held me back. Something a lot of people probably wouldn't understand, but I'm not really concerned about that. I'm more concerned about overcoming it, so I work on it a lot. Anyway, this is way off topic. I will set-up a time to talk to the counselors at the respective schools and now I don't think I will get tongue tied, because I think I know a good bit more about what I need to ask and such.
Thanks,
Marie</p>
<p>Marie, I know another shy homeschooled young woman, who blossomed once she began attending community college. Try not to see your shyness as an absolute defining character trait. Instead try to see it as something you will slowly learn to manage.</p>
<p>A good place to start would be in contacting the admissions offices at both the schools you are considering. If showing up at the office seems too difficult now, try a quick phone call. The people you will talk to aren't there to pass judgement on prospective students. Rather, they are there to provide information to people just like you. Keep it very simple by telling them you would like to know what their admissions requirements are for homeschoolers.</p>
<p>If it turns out you do need to take an SAT test, there are some excellent books you can use to prepare for it. If they are too expensive, check with your local library.</p>
<p>Also, if money is a factor, be sure to find out if you qualify for finacial aid at either school. That information might be available on the schools' websites.</p>
<p>Do find out what you need at the college that offers the program you want. They may be willing to waive SATs or ACTs at your stage or if you get an associate degree or core credits at a community college which may be the cheaper way to get those credits. You also need to know what the residency requirement at the college where you ultimately want the degree. All schools have a minimum number of credits or terms at that particular school before you can get their degree. Ideally you will take the courses you need as a core at the community college, and then take the courses relevant to the program and to complete residency at the other school. Good luck. It's great you are looking to go back to school. It is not too late My friend is in med school and she is in her 50's!</p>