<p>I posted this thread earlier International Students forum but as no one is replying and i am dying to know the answer i am posting it here.</p>
<p>I friend of mine had studied till Grade 10 in a private school, Then his father was posted to a remote location where schools were not so good, He then decided to appear in A levels as private candidate. He wants to apply to the ivies,his grades are perfect and sat score 2350, as teacher recs are concerned he could get it from his Ex School. His only concern is that he will have to compete with students who had many oppurtunities in various things(MUN, School election etc.). Will he be looked down coz he is private candidate. I have heard of Home-schooled candidates being discriminated in college Admisions.</p>
<p>PS: A private candidate in A level is that one who doesn't goes to school but gives A level exam studying on his own. The Mark Statement he recieves is eactly identical to that by a Regular schooled student. Only difference or advantage of a private candidate in A levels is that he is tested by a official A level board which increase the authenicity of his grades, which is i think not the case with US home schooled students.</p>
<p>Your friend should not be discriminated against in admissions in the Ivy League schools. If he is not admitted, it shouldn't be because he did not attend school for the last two years. If he did not participate in extra curricular activities because he was located in a remote area due to the family situation, he should definitely let admissions know that.</p>
<p>Many homeschoolers have been accepted to the Ivies and similar schools. As for me, I will be attending the University of Chicago next year, which is perhaps better than an Ivy, in my opinion, as it has a pretty firm core curriculum. :)</p>
<p>all of the Ivies have accepted and matriculated homeschooled students. The scenario the OP describes would be similar to a homeschooler (or someone at a mediocre school) self studying and doing well on a bunch of AP exams. That is a very successful route to good colleges (one my son used, in fact, with great success).</p>
<p>Homeschooling and other non-traditional educational experiences can even work as an advantage when applying to ivies or other schools. He should think about how his unusual experiences might make him a more interesting candidate, and present himself in that light. Schools care less about how many opportunities students have had, as they care about how they made use of what they did have. </p>
<p>He should also be sure to check with each school to find out exactly what each will want from him, as requirements vary from school to school. For example, I know Northwestern (not an ivy, but as selective as some) requires homeschoolers to take three SATII's.</p>
<p>I wish to apply for act's fee wavier. Can someone tell me how it is done. On the site it tells to visit the office of counselor. what about home-scholars.</p>
<p>My daughter was homeschooled and is at Brown. I personally know of homeschooled students at Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and Columbia.</p>
<p>As far as "authenticity of grades" is concerned, I didn't even assign my daughter grades. Nor did she take a series of SAT II or AP tests.</p>
<p>Being homeschooled may foreclose some ECs (like class president). But it enables people to get involved in more distinctive things. Sometimes I think not presenting the "same old same old" applications is an advantage that homeschoolers have. At least, I don't think there is a disadvantage -- with the exception of perhaps a few schools out there.</p>
<p>About the ACT, I would advise you to contact ACT directly by phone or email.</p>
<p>I'm in a partially similar situation as abhishiv's friend...</p>
<p>I completed my O levels in 2004, and have since taken time off school to pursue my EC, among others... I want to apply for fall 2007 and plan to self-study for the AP. Will I be at a disadvantage? I won't have A levels like most intels do. Anyone knows if the AP will make up for A levels?</p>