Preparing Home School Students for College
Your home schooler needs to take certain extra measures when considering colleges that a traditional high schooler wouldn't have to worry about. Collegeboard.com has the following recommendations when preparing your home schooler for college:
Find 'Home School Friendly' Colleges
Be aware before you even start the application process that not all schools are 'home school friendly.' Some colleges will not admit home schoolers at all. You or your child should first call the admissions office of the school and ask at least these two questions: do you have a home-school admission policy and have you admitted home schoolers in the past? You will find some schools use standard admission procedures for home schoolers (i.e. application, transcript, etc.), while other schools have additional criteria (i.e. several SAT II: Subject Tests.)
Complete All Pre-Requisites Courses
Often, colleges and universities have pre-requisite courses that your child must complete while they are in high school - any high school. While these may differ slightly from college to college, it is you and your child's job to be aware of them when applying for a particular school.
Keep on Top of Deadlines
At the same time, be aware of deadlines for applications, transcripts, letters of recommendation, etc. Since, typically, it is just you, the parents, that are your child's teacher, guidance counselor, and principal, be aware of the time admission items need to be turned in. Make a folder for each school applied for with the following list: name of the school on the front, items completed and items to be completed.
Get Recommendations
While not required for most institutions, a letter of recommendation will help your child build a better relationship with the school. At the same time, it may present a problem for your student. Traditionally, your child could easily obtain such a letter from a teacher, guidance counselor or other school worker. Don't count on a college accepting a letter of recommendation from you, even though you might be your child's teacher. In this case, it's important for your child to establish a relationship with a trusted adult, such as a sports coach, a club leader, a boss, etc. Essentially anyone who knows your student well is fair game.
Get a College Interview
Interviews are another good way for your child to build a rapport with the school. Meeting face to face allows an admissions officer to get a better impression of your child. Interviews can often be conducted during campus visits.
