Stiff admissions requirements for homeschoolers

<p>Frankly, I believe that Standard Test are the friend of the home educated. If you were "properly" home educated (or educated in any way) in a subject, you should have little or not trouble with the Subject Tests.</p>

<p>There are many good reasons to teach kids at home but one of the bad reasons is that "I don't want my kid to learn the stuff the other kids are expected to know."</p>

<p>Even (or especially) if you have strong views of the validity of current "established views" you kid should be aware of the "established viewpoint" and, if necessary, give the PC answer rather than what he believes to be the truth.</p>

<p>More than one I have told my kids (who have been educated at home for about 3 years) that you often have to learn things from THREE prospectives: 1) what the "system" expects; 2) what your parents/church expect; and 3) what YOU decide is correct.</p>

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Frankly, I believe that Standard Test are the friend of the home educated. If you were "properly" home educated (or educated in any way) in a subject, you should have little or not trouble with the Subject Tests.

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<p>Totally agree. Columbia required 4 SATII tests from home schoolers, and I believe my scores on them really pushed me through to get a likely letter</p>

<p>This is the Harvard Admissions Dean in the <em>Boston Globe</em> yesterday, explaining why the college will probably not go test-optional.</p>

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"We need some common yardsticks that enable us to gauge in a rough way what is being learned in an ever-increasing and diverse high school context, not to mention the increasing number of students who are home-schooled."

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<p>5</a> questions for Harvard's admissions dean - The Boston Globe</p>

<p>This selective school values high test scores, especially from homeschoolers, it appears.</p>

<p>My children are homeschooled but my daughter who is a hs junior is doing self-study, on-line college @ Cedarville and on campus at Cornerstone Univ. and uses a few tutors (Art & Debate). We refer to her education as Parent-Facilitated or Self-Directed because we don’t “teach” her. Colleges in the Midwest are very happy to talk to homeschoolers.</p>

<p>Bump!</p>

<p>We are currently putting together a high school plan for my 9th grade DS, who is interested in Univ. of Michigan as one of his “reach” schools. I’m trying to plan ahead as much as possible so we have the required SAT IIs completed when it comes time to apply.</p>

<p>Any more recent experiences with “stiff” requirements for homeschoolers, at UofM, or other schools?</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>Although Princeton and some other selective schools may not require additional SAT2 or AP exams for homeschoolers, anyone in that situation would do well to include more in their files to increase chances of acceptance. Every single home schooled kid I know who got into a highly selective school (except on an audition/portfolio basis for the arts) had a number of AP and or SAT2 tests. And they had very, very high scores on them. That the schools have to put more weight on the tests due to lack of grades and teacher/counselor recs, makes those tests imperative. This is a boon for those who are excellent test takers. Without super high test scores, it’s nearly impossible to get into the top schools anyways.</p>

<p>Sorry, have not read this thread. Hope you don’t mind my throwing in my quick thoughts after reading the post.
At one time the home schooler was seen as unique in our society. Now, the novelty has worn off.
Homeschoolers have a stereotype. Being unconformists within the educational system. Adcoms and anyone working within education are part of shaping the system.</p>

<p>When my son applied to selective colleges 3 years ago, some had onerous SAT II requirements, ie 5 SATIIs. I wrote to those schools and explained what my son had going for him - 4 SATs, but also 7APs, USAMO, etc. The schools all assured me it was fine.</p>

<p>My daughter is applying this year, and I note some of the schools had made their requirements a bit more homeschool friendly (3 extra SAT IIs OR APs…, as opposed to just SATIIs)</p>

<p>She did consider USC as a safety. She could have gotten a half scholarship for being National Merit. They want three SATIIs. She only has two, but she has 10 APs ( a 3, a 4 and 8 5s in a variety of disciplines) and a 2380 on her SAT I. I assume they would just say it was fine. They responded they were absolutely inflexible on that extra SATII, so I responded with a “Thanks, we will not bother with you, then”</p>

<p>I agree with cptofthehouse - tests are good, unless you’re presenting as a totally different candidate - arts with portfolio as he said, or very VERY in depth on a particular topic (butterflies? foot odor?), where there are no tests that show the level of your understanding. My son took a pretty standard selection of science/math/humanities and had excellent test scores and recommendations, and got into very selective schools.</p>

<p>I disagree with plentyquestions - colleges seem to like homeschoolers. Maybe it is the novelty and trying to get a diverse class, or maybe it’s a track record of success.</p>

<p>Hello. I am being homeschooled in the 9th grade currently. I am under a umbrella school called Christian Liberty Press right now, and I plan on using it for the rest of high school. They are going to issue a transcript and diploma to me. They are accredited. </p>

<p>1) Should I list the umbrella school for my high school name?</p>

<p>2) I send in the umbrella school’s transcript and the community college transcript, right? Where do I put my SAT scores, AP exam scores, ect., on?</p>

<p>3) I’m looking at film school. Any tips?</p>

<p>4) My first high school year was kinda rocky. Got behind, not many EC’s, and other stuff. Do you have any pointers and ideas for a homeschooler preparing for college?</p>

<p>Thanks in advance! :)</p>