I have always wondered how homeschoolers can get into university. So many families are choosing to homeschool, so there must be a way for them to apply for universities just like non-homeschoolers.
Homeschoolers can get into university, almost the same way conventional schooled students do, they just have a little bit more pressure. But nowadays homeschoolers have a higher chance of getting accepted into universities now than 30 years ago, because of all the recent studies.
Read on to find out more about how homeschoolers can get into university and what the difference is for them to apply compared to conventional schoolers.
How can a Homeschooler get into University?
More than 30 years ago it was hard to get into university as a homeschooler, but now universities are making it easier. It’s not as hard as you think for a homeschooler to apply for university. But still not every university accepts homeschoolers, around one in eight will accept homeschool applications. Ivy league schools like Yale, Harvard and Stanford want homeschoolers and are seeking them out, because they see them as better prepared for university than non-homeschoolers.
Nowadays there have been so many studies about homeschoolers doing better in post secondary schools, so because of their high success rate universities have been accepting more and more homeschoolers. Plus homeschoolers can get scholarships. But how do you apply as a homeschooler?
Applying to university can be very time consuming on its own, but Some universities make it easy for homeschoolers and have an application for them. If they don’t have a special application for homeschoolers you’ll probably have to contact the university you’re applying to, and ask what you need to put in the application. To apply to university or college as a homeschooler you’ll need a transcript, extracurriculars, letter of recommendation and to fill out an application and a few essays. You might also have to do an SAT, ACT or some sort of standardized test depending on where you want to go to school.
Transcript
A transcript is basically a record of the academic subjects you did in high school, when you took them and your grades. So as a homeschooler you will not get automatic transcripts. Your parents or primary teacher will be responsible for making your transcript.
There are a few different options for getting a transcript. Parents could make your transcript, you could work under an umbrella school that provides transcripts or join a homeschool group that makes professional transcripts. If you or your parent decides to make your own transcript, it should include your name, address, phone number, overall GPA, the high school course list you’ve taken, your expected graduation date and your parents signature. If you’ve ever done any online classes or courses outside of your regular homeschooling add those in your transcript too.
GED or Diploma
Homeschoolers don’t need a GED or diploma to apply for university, instead just make it clear that your homeschooling education meets the requirements. You can do a test to get your GED but it is not required and not everyone does it. As for diplomas, if you did some sort of online school you will probably get one. But if you were just taught by your parents/independently then you can get a diploma if your transcripts show that you have met the standard requirements for graduation.
Letter of Recommendation
You’ll need to have a letter of recommendation from a teacher. Normally students would just ask for one from their favourite teacher in their high school, but if you’re homeschooled it’s a little bit harder. Universities would rather you don’t give a letter of recommendation from your parent so instead think about where you’ve taken classes and ask a teacher from one of those to write one for you. You can also ask from letters from you teachers or coaches from extracurricular activities. You might want to think ahead of time for the letter of recommendation, and maybe find opportunities to join classes with a teachers, or even hire a private teacher.
Extracurriculars
Universities like to see what extracurricular activities you’ve done because it gives them an idea of what you have done to get involved with the community. Depending on what you are interested in, there are plenty of homeschool extracurricular activities along with after school activities that most high school students join. You should compose a list of all the activities you’ve done and add it to your application. Again plan ahead for this and build it up for your university admissions.
Common Application
Common App is an undergraduate college/university application that students can use to apply to over 800 universities in United States, Canada, China, Japan and some European countries. It makes it easier for students to apply to multiple universities or colleges at once. If you sign into the Common App there is a section in education where you can state that you’re homeschooled. Then the website will ask you to put in your counsellors email, and since you don’t have a school counsellor put in your parents info. They will then be notified to set up a counsellor account which is where they can fill out your school profile, and provide information about your homeschooling. This is also where they will upload your transcript.
You shouldn’t worry too much about applying to university as a homeschooler, just make sure you keep it in mind as you finish off the years before post-secondary.
Tips for Homeschoolers’ University Applications
It’s all about the detail and effort you put into applying to university. Detail is very important. First off, make sure your transcript is detailed. Try to add everything to it that you have done, and every class you have taken, and figure out your GPA. For your letter of recommendation it certainly couldn’t hurt to have multiple of them. Not only will it make up for possibly not having one from a teacher at school, but it will also give them more of a reason to accept you.
Make your essay as detailed as possible. You’ll want to show that you are academically qualified, you can work with others and highlight your unique accomplishments. Universities like that homeschoolers use their flexible time to follow their interests, and they want to see what those interests are. Adding additional documents can help homeschoolers. Maybe add a list of everything you read the past year, jobs you’ve had, reasons for homeschooling and more. It is all the little things that will help your chances at getting into the university of your dreams.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Applying to University as a Homeschooler
Advantages: Applying for universities after homeschooling can be a pain, but it does have its perks. Some universities want homeschoolers because they know how well they do in post secondary schools. Highly ranked schools like ones in the ivy league are recruiting homeschoolers because they know that homeschoolers can excel outside the classroom, and do well in traditional subjects.
Universities are slowly realizing that homeschoolers are unique and use their flexible schedules to spend their time pursuing on subjects they enjoy. They all have gotten to have amazing experiences and opportunities that not every non homeschooler gets. This is not really advantages of the application, more in general, but homeschoolers can get into university earlier than normal. It is common for them to finish high school early, so maybe they’ll take some online university classes.
Disadvantages: The biggest concern is that universities and colleges don’t treat homeschoolers the same, and that they will not be as likely to be accepted into the post secondary schools. Part of this is true though, because not every university has an application for homeschoolers. But since it is becoming more popular and studies are showing that they do well post secondary schools are accepting more homeschoolers.
Another thing is that it is more time consuming and stressful to apply as a homeschooler. There is so much uncertainty and you have to do things a little bit differently. Your parents have to get together a transcript for you, you need a letter of recommendation from your teacher, but not your parent. It’s all a little annoying.