| Getting into college can seem like a daunting task for | | | | letter on the student's behalf. These letters can be |
| many students, but particularly for homeschool | | | | kept in plastic sheets in the same binder that the log |
| students. Colleges tend to have inconsistent | | | | is being kept, and then if the student is asked to |
| standards for admittance, and often require additional | | | | submit a portfolio for their college application, these |
| proof of the students' educational background. Taking | | | | can be included. If possible, students would also ask |
| a few simple steps throughout the high school years | | | | the individuals if they would be willing to write a more |
| can make this process much simpler for homeschool | | | | specific letter at a later date, but having the general |
| students and their families. Record keeping, scoring | | | | letter is a good starting point, and can come in very |
| well on SAT and ACT tests, getting letters of | | | | handy. |
| recommendation from others outside of the family, | | | | Most homeschool families know that they may be |
| and keeping a portfolio of work samples are included | | | | asked to show a portfolio of work samples, but |
| in these steps. A simple filing system or folder can be | | | | many do not know that this portfolio should include a |
| maintained in order to streamline this process and the | | | | listing of the pieces of literature that the student has |
| time taken to set these systems in place early can | | | | read, as well as samples of any essay assignments |
| be time well spent. | | | | that show critical thought and analysis. Literature that |
| One of the first things that is highly recommended | | | | the student has been exposed to is an important |
| that homeschool high school students do is to | | | | reflection of what the student has acquired in terms |
| maintain a log or journal of their volunteer hours, | | | | of thinking and life skills. Writing skills and analytical |
| employment hours, extracurricular activities and any | | | | thought are some of the elements that colleges say |
| awards or honors that they earn. These can be kept | | | | are most lacking in freshman applicants, but if a |
| on a year by year basis, freshman through senior | | | | homeschool student can show these skills in advance, |
| years, divided by category, and added to throughout | | | | they are well ahead of the curve. |
| the year. A log of this type is easy to update on a | | | | Good records and increasing standardized test scores |
| weekly basis, and when it is kept current, there will | | | | will show the college admissions offices that the |
| not be a last minute panic to try to recreate a | | | | student has been diligent and conscientious |
| picture of the students' high school "career" for | | | | throughout their high school years. This will speak well |
| applications. This should be kept in a binder or | | | | for them. Often, admissions advisors will request a |
| notebook and used throughout high school. | | | | personal interview with a homeschool student, and |
| Additionally, homeschool students should plan to take | | | | this should be considered an opportunity to shine. |
| SAT and ACT Prep courses that teach how to take | | | | Having good records and showing diligence will be |
| these types of tests, and how to navigate some of | | | | very impressive and these interviews are great |
| the patterns of questions that are asked. Most | | | | opportunities for that. Students who can show |
| colleges will look first at a homeschool student's SAT | | | | extracurricular activity and adult leaders who endorse |
| or ACT scores before they look at anything else, so | | | | them will also be a striking reflection of a homeschool |
| scoring well on these tests is critical. Ideally, in the | | | | student when combined with high SAT and ACT |
| freshman year, students would take both | | | | scores. Remember, the high SAT and ACT scores will |
| standardized tests without any preparation in order | | | | be the first point of contact, so a solid academic |
| to get a base line of their abilities. Then, beginning in | | | | foundation is a must, along with repetition of test |
| the sophomore year and thereafter, they can | | | | taking strategies, but once those skills are reviewed, |
| continue the testing process, both in the fall and | | | | personal letters of recommendation will be given |
| spring semesters, but add in a test taking skills and | | | | credence and value. |
| preparation course. A good course will include | | | | The winning package is the homeschool student who |
| instruction on how to manage time on these tests, | | | | has all of these things neatly accessible and ready to |
| how to "read into" the question, and how to let the | | | | compile for college applications. The binder with the |
| test give them some of the answers. Courses like | | | | logged "snapshot" of the student's extracurricular |
| this do require that the student spend some time | | | | activities, the samples of essays and literature read, |
| practicing the strategies, so time should be built into | | | | copies of test scores, and letters of recommendation |
| the student's schedule in order to do this. | | | | will become a family gold mine as applications are |
| Beginning in the junior year, students should seek | | | | being filled out. There will be no difficulty |
| letters of recommendation from those with whom | | | | remembering details, and the process will be very |
| they interact. A variety of letters such as volunteer | | | | smooth. Start keeping these records now and your |
| coordinators, employers, church leaders, scout | | | | homeschool student will be glad you did. |
| leaders, etc. should be asked to write a generalized | | | | |