admission

How Homeschoolers Can Gain Admission to Elite Universities Is your student interested in attending an Ivy League school? Do you think they have what it takes? Here’s what’s required:  a gifted student with a strong work ethic, a lot of parental effort (especially with record-keeping), rigorous academics, high test scores, demonstrated leadership, activities that are measurable, a passion in something outside academics, a fabulous essay, great letters of recommendation (military academies require a recommendation by members of...

Getting ready to send in your college applications? How about a few quick tips to get you started?!   1. Modify your college application essays Many colleges have similar essay prompts. You can reuse essays for applications to different colleges, and save lots of trouble by writing fewer essays. At the same time, though, make sure to personalize the essay to the specific college you are applying to. So first, write the essay. Then modify the...

CLEP exams, Community College, and Scholarships can be confusing to sort out when homeschooling high school. Wouldn't it be nice if there was just one single source for information, so you could figure it all out easily? It seems like there is conflicting information out there! I attended your classes at the recent Homeschool Conference in Cincinnati. Just noticed your post on facebook and read the entire article ( ReduceCollege Expenses with CLEP and CollegePlus! )...

How to get great letters of recommendation for your homeschooler. Subscribe to my YouTube channel. You will be notified when I create new videos on homeschool high school topics!

    Although most homeschool students utilize transcripts for college admissions, many students are also now submitting a homeschool portfolio when they apply to colleges.  What’s the difference, and why should you use a portfolio?  In general, a transcript is a one-page piece of paper that gives a college the opportunity to get a snapshot of your student, and decide whether they get a thumbs-up or a thumbs-down on admissions.  A portfolio, also known as a...

Ivy League Admission   Is your child headed toward Ivy League schools?  This information may help! The "true" Ivy League schools are Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, Pennsylvania, Princeton, and Yale. Do your research early in high school to find out exactly what they want in their applicants, and do your best to give it to them.  Here are examples of Ivy League homeschool admission policies. Brown FAQ for Homeschoolers I suggest thorough course descriptions and...

  So many holidays in May!  For parents with young children, you may be thinking about May Day and celebrating with flowers.  Moms of all ages are thinking about Mother's Day .  Patriotic Parents are thinking about Memorial Day. But parents of seniors have a special day to remember, called the National Candidates Reply Deadline. On May 1, high school seniors who have been offered college admission have to make their final decision. Most students have...

Sharon asked me about  how she should plan ahead for the college application process.  She didn't want to miss a huge piece and make any huge mistakes.  Is this a question you have too? I hope this video post can help you both.       Get a Free 20 minute weekly phone consultation with me as part of your Gold Care Club membership. http://www.thehomescholar.com/gold-care.php

Seniors are usually starting to hear back from colleges. I hope you find out fantastic news regarding acceptances as well as scholarships. Following the excitement from hearing about admission and scholarships, all of a sudden the reality of finances comes crashing down on parents. Even with a scholarship, just how can you pay for college? It’s important to keep relaxed, even though you have been told an initial communication concerning scholarships. Since the truth is that...

Senior year feels so awkward.  You have to submit the transcript during applications, but your child is still in the middle of senior year!  What do you do with the classes they are currently taking? Hey, Lee- I wanted to tell you that Evan's interview at Grove City back in Sept. went well and the Admissions person loved my notebook with course descriptions and said that's exactly what they want to see . He said to...

Whenever colleges are looking over students to admit, it’s quite a lengthy and arduous process for them. Rather unpleasant, they point out! They typically have only a couple of minutes to make a thumbs-up or thumbs-down on an applicant. For that reason, the transcript might be the only section of information they utilize for that determination. The transcript is designed to whet their appetite. Do they want more of your student? or not? Similar to an...

We have written extensively the reason documenting your homeschool student’s comprehensive record is an intelligent suggestion for every college bound homeschool family.  Below are five final reasons you really should give it some consideration: *College admissions is a high stakes, extremely competitive game and you need to put your best foot forward because it helps to set your student apart. *Homeschooling provides students with a few  specific as well as quantifiable advantages that don’t always shine...

You are not by law required to supply your social security number when applying for a college. Schools are not required to ask for it. It is going to be necessary for a college loan, but it should not be necessary for a college application. That’s exactly why I advise that you do NOT put a social security number on your transcript. To find out more, read this document from the Social Security Administration: Legal requirements...

Seniors – Fill out an application for College and Register for Tests It normally takes a rather long time to finish a college application form. Get started right now, and mail the application in as soon as the colleges begin taking applications. Financial decisions could possibly turn out to be made “first come first served” and applying early might possibly enable you to obtain the most beneficial financial aid package. Sign up for ACT test by...

Stanford University Magazine had a write-up regarding a gifted homeschool student.  I love this quotation: “It’s the spark, the passion, that sets the truly exceptional student-the one driven to pursue independent research and explore difficult concepts from a very early age-apart from your typical bright kid.  Stanford wants students who have it.  Looking very closely at homeschoolers is one way to get more of those special minds, the admission office has discovered."  As Reider explains it:...