<p>Since we're well into the college application season, I thought it would be nice to start a thread about where you or your kids have gotten in or where you're applying and what your major will be. So, I'll start off..... I'm a life-time homeschooler and I'm from Florida.</p>
<p>Accepted:
University of Minnesota (Political Science)
Covenant College (Philosophy or Economics)</p>
<p>Waiting to hear from:
University of Florida
Florida State University*</p>
<p>Will apply to:
University of Colorado- Boulder
Colorado State University</p>
<p>*They called me a few weeks ago and asked my if I'd like to graduate in December and start at FSU early, but I had to turn them down so I could keep playing basketball into the Spring. So I'm pretty sure I'll get in there.</p>
<p>Accepted in Appalachian State, want to major in Creative Writing. Actually the only college I applied to. My SAT wasn't the best but it was okay.</p>
<p>For all the other homeschoolers out there, have hope, getting into college is not too hard as long as you do what you have to do.</p>
<p>^ Awesome. And you're right. For those of you who think that colleges will deny you because you're homeschooled, I'd say those days are long gone... at least for the majority of colleges. I mean, I got accepted to one of the best universities in the country (Minnesota... and likely FSU), and my SAT is only about average for the school AND I'm out-of-state. </p>
<p>If you're not sure how to apply as a homeschooler, just ask as many questions as you can. Seek advice from people who have done it before, and show interest in the university you're applying to. Take advantage of opportunities around you, whether it's sports, dual enrollment, or homeschool groups, it will look good on an application.</p>
<p>Our son was accepted a few weeks ago to Penn State (University Park). It was a big relief to get the acceptance, as that was the only place he applied. He's looking forward to it because our older son is already a student there.</p>
<p>I left high school and homeschooled myself for a while, then used the high school to get my GED.</p>
<p>Congrats to everyone that got accepted where they wish to go. I hope I'm as lucky. =] Guess I'll only know in a few weeks when I get a letter from KU!</p>
<p>Anybody else take the GED after homeschooling?</p>
<p>DS applied EA to Stanford- OK there!, and all but one of his outstanding apps answers on April 1. We'd like for him to be on the East Coast.</p>
<p>It is not necessary to take the GED for colleges to issue financial aid anymore. That policy is based on an outdated and incorrect policy book from the 90's which was corrected by memo. </p>
<p>The Dept of Education allows colleges to accept homeschoolers' self certification that they have completed the high school education, just like non- accredited schools are ok. </p>
<p>Some schools have a hard time believing the policy. If that is your situation, you might want to check out the HSLDA dot org website for the exact data, just search for GED and financial aid. HSLDA</a> | Home Schooled Students Excel in College</p>
<p>My OlaHome, even the infomation you have is slightly out-of-date at this point. The question arose from the fact that on the FAFSA there were only two options; "diploma" and "GED". Because of that there was some confusion about whether homeschoolers had to take the GED (in lieu of a traditional, institutional diploma.) You are right that the DOE corrected that misinterpretation, and basically advised homeschoolers to choose the "diploma" option -- meaning, they had effectively received a "diploma" (either a physical one or not) from their homeschool. That's what the self-certifying accomplished.</p>
<p>And that opened up a can of worms for college's relating to "ability to benefit" tests... but all of this is out-dated now.</p>
<p>Starting with the applications for aid for the 2008-09 academic year the FAFSA form now includes a third option; "homeschool". So you just check the homeschool option and there is no unclarity, no confusion, and nothing subtle for college FA offices to parse when they're trying to be compliant with federal regs.</p>
<p>It's all a non-issue now. Even "self-certifying" isn't relevant.</p>
<p>HSLDA may as well take down any other information on their website about this issue at this point because it just serves to stir anxieties that are, fortunately, no longer pertinant. On the other hand, fueling anxiety about homeschooling has been HSLDA's bread and butter for many years.</p>
<p>Momwriter, Congrats on the acceptance to Penn state! I can sympathize. My son applied only to UNC Chapel Hill (accepted) and NC State (decision scheduled for Jan 31). Although we think he'll be accepted at State (hopefully with a scholarship) nothing is for certain, and it was a very huge relief to hear from UNC. Our daughter isn't heading to college for a few years, but I plan to encourage her to start really early and apply often! LOL</p>
<p>I am happy that the federal govt. has made things easier for homeschoolers seeking financial aid. Unfortunately, not all states are so homeschool-friendly. </p>
<p>Here in PA, you can only get state financial aid as a homeschooler if your child gets a GED or obtains a diploma through one of the seven diploma programs approved by the Dept. of Ed. This is stated right on the state’s financial aid website. </p>
<p>There is (in theory) also a third option: having your district superintendent complete some state-required documents, but I don’t know anyone who actually went this route, and most school districts don’t seem to know anything about it (when I called our superintendent’s office, they had no clue about it and didn’t seem very agreeable to it).</p>
<p>That’s unfortunate, momwriter. I have heard before that PA is one of the more difficult states in which to homeschool. I had never before, however, heard about this restriction of state aid. That’s a drag. I think if I had a kid who would, by virtue of income status or whatever else is involved, otherwise qualify for the state aid, I’d probably just have them go ahead and take the GED… much as it would gall me.</p>