Hey guys. I’ve been researching homeschooling and the Ivy League quite a bit, but I still haven’t really found any real answers. From looking at the information it seems that schools such as Yale and Princeton emphasize standardized test scores, recommendations, and personal qualities. When it comes to standardized tests and the essay, I won’t have any problems. However, in terms of recommendations, I haven’t had too many “teachers”; the recommendations I could get would be from the man who has taught math to me throughout high school and also from a friend whom I often discuss books and my ideas with.
If anybody has any suggestions for my unique situation, they would be much appreciated; I can also provide any further information to give you a better idea of where I am in terms of my education, my activities without, etc.
Hey, @raya1813 I have been homeschooled from 6th to 12th grade. College applications are definitely a challenge as a home schooler, but I recently found out that I have been accepted into Harvard, Emory, Oxford, and Case Western. Let me just reiterate what you said about standardized test scores. I took as many APs as I could in my strongest subjects and took the bio, physics, math 1, and literature subject tests. The more you do well on the more impressive your application will appear in comparison to students from public schools with 10+ APs. As far as recommendations, I would actively seek out internships in whatever career you are interested in. I did a research internship at Emory and shadowed doctors. I got a letter of recommendation from the supervisor of my internship and an opthalmologist I particularly enjoyed shadowing. Also, becoming active in volunteer opportunities is always rewarding and impressive. I got a letter of recommendation from the leader of a missions trip I took to Colombia. Finally, when filling out your college apps, I would suggests writing an essay or cover letter explaining how being homeschooled has shaped you into a more capable, dynamic, well-rounded, etc. student. This can help you stand out. Sorry this is so long but I hope it helps.
Thanks for your advice, tkd! While I’m still not sure if I’m going to try to go to a top secular college such as Cornell, William and Mary, or Notre Dame or a Christian college, such as Wheaton or Calvin.
In terms of internships, I'm not really sure what I could do. I'm planning on studying the humanities (philosophy, theology, history, literature, etc.) with a dash of science and mathematics, which could possibly lead to a double major. At this point, it seems likely that I'll be going to seminary and getting a M.Div or a M.A. and then going on to get my Ph.D. in an area that particularly interests me. So, whereas you are going into a field that is illustrious, I'm going into one that doesn't look quite as good on a transcript.
Now, standardized tests. I see that you mentioned you took "as many APs as I could in my strongest subjects and took bio, physics, math 1, and literature subject tests." I can say that out of all of those, I could do very well in anything in either AP or SAT subject tests that pertain to history, English, and Latin. I can take ones that are focused on math and science, but I would have to work my butt off to do well. Nevertheless, I'd be amenable if you say that it's worth it.
Also, I have question; is it alright if I graduate next year in order to push myself academically this year? I'm currently 17 and since the average age for graduation is 18, I wouldn't think there would be a problem. Still, I wouldn't mind hearing it from you.
Finally, since you mentioned you went on a missions trip to Columbia, which I presume is the country and not the university, did you consider and visit any Christian colleges? If so, would you still go to one in light of the fact that you've been accepted into top institutions such as Harvard and Oxford? I hope to hear from you soon!
P.S. I was trying to do indentations for each paragraph, but oddly, it won’t let me. #justgrammarthings
@raya1813: Don’t take these suggestions too seriously (I haven’t quite gotten to college app time yet), but this is what I’ve heard from other homeschoolers:
[ul]
[] Standardized testing: take AP and/or SAT II tests in subjects that interest you, that you think you can do well in, that correlate to your intended major, and/or that you want college credit for. In your case, I’d recommend some combination of: AP Lang, AP Lit, AP Latin, APUSH, AP Euro, AP World, and possibly AP Gov (either) and Econ if they interest you. Also look into the equivalent subject tests (SAT Lit, Latin, US History, etc.)
[] Do something different: the ability to handpick classes can be a huge advantage. Look into classes that most public schooled students don’t have. If you’re able to take classes at a local community college or university, you could see if they have higher Latin, history, literature, theology, or philosophy. You can also look online: coursera.com is more humanities focused in my experience, but edX.org also has some good ones.
[li] Make sure meet requirements: you sound good in terms of English, foreign language, and humanities/history courses. But also makes sure that you have required math (generally 3 years) and science (also usually 3) classes. Most applicants to top colleges have at least precalc, and I strongly recommend getting to calculus if you can. For science, most at least one year in bio/chem/physics looks best (psych sometimes doesn’t count), but you have the flexibility to look into different areas if they interest you more.[/li]
You do not need to take AP or SAT subjects in these areas, although they could help if you’re aiming at very top colleges, or want to use AP credits to skip the class.
[li] Don’t forget about your ECs: they don’t have to be internships (and for humanities that might be harder). Are there any activities you enjoy that are related to the subjects you would like to study? Those can all count as ECs.[/li][/ul]
I am honestly a little confused by your graduation question. What grade are you currently in? Most students graduate after 12th grade (senior year), and they are 18 or about to turn 18. You can graduate earlier if you want, and some people do, but it’s not as common. However, if you ware asking about staying in HS another year (i.e. spend 5 years in HS), the general opinion on this website is that it can hurt application far more than they help (try searching for “super senior year” or “5th year senior”)
College choices are often a personal preference: if you haven’t already, visit some of them and see how they “fit” you. It will help when you choose where to apply to, and later, where to accept. Good luck!
@raya1813, I think tkdgirl98 means Oxford College at Emory, not Oxford University in the UK. Your circumstances are less unusual than you may think - there are a lot of homeschoolers these days.
The key pieces are really to 1) get as many objective qualifications as you can- standardized testing, for example; and 2) have a true story about who you are & what you are looking for. For top-tier schools they are going to want to see that you are passionate about something and that you do a lot towards achieving in that arena. I know a homeschooler currently at a near-Ivy who had virtually no EC’s in the standard sense and who comes from a remote area (had never travelled more than 40 miles from his home before going to college). Really, all he had to offer was some mad math chops. performance-level (but not Carnegie Hall level) piano skills, and a burning thirst for learning that he satisfied via online classes. He got several offers, took the near-Ivy b/c it gave him the best financial aid package and is blissfully happy.
Thanks for the great advice, guys; this will be of great help to both me and my mother.
@Andr01d, the only reason I was going to take AP exams and SAT II subject tests that are math and science related is because I wanted to show schools that I was well rounded academically. However, if you don’t think I have to do so, I’d be more than glad to just take the exams and subject tests in the areas of my expertise.
After taking a look at coursera and edX, I can tell you that I would love to take any classes that pertain to the humanities; if that looks good on my transcript, I’m totally for it.
In terms of credits, I’ll have at least four math credits (Algebra I and II, geometry, pre-calculus) and possibly five, as the course I was going to take which would cover pre-calculus also covers all of trigonometry. My four English credits will include an AP course that I just started today, and my science classes will have the standard bio/chem/phys lineup, but I plan to take a fourth, which will most likely be human anatomy (advanced biology). Finally, I’m just finishing up my second year of Latin, so I’ll be able to wrap up 1-2 years by the end of 2015.
My ECs will probably be comprised of acting, music, work, and volunteering. I participated in my church drama team for awhile, but since my job doesn’t allow me to attend the practices, I can’t go. I’ve performed “Fish Eyes,” a play about the apostles Peter and Andrew, and also an abridged version of A Midsummer Night’s Dream as Demetrius.With a galaxy of musicians around me, I’ll start learning music theory soon, and I hope to choose an instrument as well. My job is dishwashing at a restaurant, and “volunteering” for me is working out at my church. With my father being the lead pastor, I can honestly say I’m quite accustomed to church work.
What I mean by “graduating at 18,” I was hoping to be done this year. I’m currently seventeen, but I don’t have an exact “grade,” as I’m trying to finish up as quickly as I can. All I was wondering was if it would be alright if my education flowed over a little bit into 2016 so that I can get some extracurriculars under my belt and also take some more challenging classes.
@collegemom3717, I can definitely supply both of those things. When it comes to me, I can certainly ace tests and write an excellent essay.
@raya1813: Okay…because of your level of math, I recommend taking either the Math I or Math II subject test, if you think you can do well (~700+, definitely depends on the college) on them. In terms of science, at this point, it’s really up to you. Having one or more AP sciences can help, but if you think it will be stressful / overly difficult / there’s something else you want to focus on, I don’t think it’s necessary. But at least one SAT test, if you don’t have other outside verification, will help a bit.
Online classes don’t exactly help your app just by taking them; it’s just a way of showing how you challenged yourself / used the flexibility you had to take more advanced classes. There are other ways to show this, like taking college classes or doing other activities. If you like the sound of online classes though, definitely look into them! They’re fun! 
Your ECs sound great and seem aligned with the subjects you said you enjoy, so I don’t think you need to worry about them.
You’ll be applying for college in the fall of the year before you want to start college. For example, if you wanted to start college in the fall of 2016, you’d need to do your applications this fall (2015). Therefore, unless you’ve already applied to colleges (?), you’ll have at least one more year in high school.
One question I do have: have you taken the SAT or ACT yet? (I’m assuming you did well if you have taken it; if you’re okay with sharing your score it might help, but I understand if you don’t want to)
You sound really well prepared in terms of classes, testing, and ECs. If you want a bit more help, try joining the yahoo group hs2coll which is all about homeschoolers applying to college. You can also look online: many schools, and almost all selective ones, have a homeschooler page under their applications tab, and you can learn more about what they’re looking for there. I hope this helps!
@Andr01d, I haven’t taken the ACT yet, but I will be taking it soon. In terms of credits I have left, I have to take at least 2 more science classes (3 if I take a fourth science), 3 math credits (I have to retake two from my sophomore and junior years), 1 more English credit, 2 more Latin credits, and 2 more history/social science credits. I can knock out almost if not all of those this year, as I can go at a faster pace than most kids.