Warning - Explain Your Homeschool Background Properly If You Want to Go to Your First-Choice College

As a homeschooling family, you enjoy maximumcolleges. I think more of them should carefully
flexibility, superior academic achievement, and theconsider the benefits of homeschooling.
educational freedom to study whatever you want,Now let's look at how you might handle some issues
wherever you want, whenever you want. Now that'syou will deal with as a homeschooled applicant:
exciting and empowering.- Letters of recommendation from people outside of
I homeschooled my children starting in the mid-1970'sfamily who know you well, and like you
when virtually no one knew a thing about the- Seek out members of the clergy, employers,
subject. It was a tremendous benefit to our family.teacher in outside courses [art, music, foreign
Of course, improved academic achievement is notlanguage] to write recommendations
the only reason to homeschool, but it is a very- Write a great college essay to remove any lingering
compelling reason. Most homeschoolers test yearsdoubts about your qualifications and socialization.
ahead of their non-homeschooled cohort.- Try to score as high as possible on your
As a former teacher, I know how much time isstandardized tests. That's not usually a problem
eaten up in the traditional school environment. Abecause homeschoolers generally test at or above
great deal of time is spent in preparation for teaching.the 90 percentile nationally.
Getting in line, walking to class, waiting for the class- Schedule an on-campus interview to detail your
to settle down, handling discipline problems, talkingacademic program and history
with parents and others who drop in unexpectedly all- Take a college tour. Sit with an admissions officer
take time away from the instructional process.to detail your experiences and answer an questions
As a homeschooler, you simply don't have to dealthey may have.
with that. Families are seeking every possible method- Don't worry. Colleges love home-schooled students.
of getting their children admitted to their top choice