What is the Difference Between History and Social Studies?

How to understand college admission requirements.

Spring.  For a high school junior that means it's time to decide where to apply. When your child is applying for colleges, it's a good idea to look at three different kinds of colleges; REACH, FIT and SAFETY.


Here is how you do it.

1. Look at your SAT or ACT score.  If you took the PSAT, you can estimate your SAT score from the results.
2. Research the colleges you are considering.  Find the colleges average SAT or ACT score.
3. Compare your score to the college score
4. Choose some "reach" school.  The college has a higher score than yours, but you meet the college requirements.  All Ivy League and military academies are reach schools, no matter how high your scores might be.
5. Choose some "fit" schools.  The college score is about the same as your score, and you meet the college requirements.
6. Choose some "safety" schools.  Your score is higher than the college scores, and you exceed the college requirements.

Applying for reach, fit, and safety colleges can help prevent heartache.  When you apply for a variety of schools, you're almost sure to find a perfect fit that will accept you, and may provide great scholarships.
It's common for children to apply for 4-12 colleges, with a mix of reach, fit, and safety schools.  Although it's a  common suggestion, but it doesn't fit every family.


Learn how you can create outstanding homeschool records that win college admission and scholarships.

1. Make sure to have your child take a class in each major subject area: English, math, history, etc.  If you are trying to get an AA degree, that means you will be covering all of those major subject areas plus a little more.


2. Make sure to have her take a class for required classes at her favorite university.  That may be the same list as number 1, but it could be different. Some colleges require freshmen to take Psychology or something.


3. Find out the university policy on community college classes.  They may not accept college credits, or consider students a transfer applicant rather than a freshman applicant. Find out so you are prepared.


4. Be prepared with everything that homeschoolers normally provide: transcript, course descriptions, reading list, activity and award list. Save the college course descriptions for classes taken.


5. Make sure your child gets excellent grades - hopefully all A's in college classes.  College grades will be weighed heavily, even if a university does not give you college credit for the classes.


6. Make sure your students gets to know professors, because they will be writing letters of recommendation for college admission.  Sit in the front row, ask questions and participate, so professors know them.

"My son spends his remaining school day working on film projects. He had already won two contests. I took him to the San Antonio Christian film festival academy a few Weeks back. I have no clue what all this counts as or what to call it. Lastly, we volunteer every week accompanying a senior adult choir on our instruments. We already take choir so we have that credit. We are called a band by our director. You are kind to help. I should have asked sooner but I figured no one could relate to our crazy but wonderful lifestyle." ~ Bari