colleges

What is the Difference Between History and Social Studies? "Social studies" and "history" may be interchangeable terms for some colleges. You may have noticed that some college websites require four years of social studies while others require history. What is the difference between history and social studies?When colleges request four years of social studies or four years of history, they both probably mean the same thing. Social studies (also called social sciences), is actually a broader...

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!

How to understand college admission requirements. Subscribe to my YouTube channel. You will be notified when I create new videos on homeschool high school topics!

Ah statistics!  You gotta love 'em!  Except when you don't....   But if you DO like numbers, this blog post is for you!  Let me explain the concept of "reach, fit, and safety" for math lovers!To find a reach, fit, and safety college, you have to look at "Admissions Data" found online and in books.  Little tip; just Google the school name and the words "admission data" and you'll find it. Then compare it to your...

  Homeschooling Goes To College"Today homeschooling is a credible, viable educational choice that is garnering respect, even admiration, from outside educators. At the nation's elite colleges and universities, once-wary admissions officers are validating the benefits of a home education in the best way possible - with much- coveted acceptances.www.carolinajournal.comHomeschoolers Ready for College"Myths about unsocialized home-schoolers are false, and most are well prepped for college, experts say."www.usnews.comHomeschooled Students Well-Prepared For College, Study Finds"Studies suggest that those who...

 In our family’s homeschool experience, it seemed that colleges asked for some pretty strange things when our sons applied for admission.  One college asked for their transcripts in a sealed envelope, signed on the outside by the principal (my husband).  Another asked for transcripts from a ‘recognized homeschool agency’ (what is that?!).   A lot of colleges, though, want samples of a student’s homeschool work, and this at least is a reasonable and quite common request.  In...

 If you are planning to use community college classes to replace or supplement junior and senior year, I have some specific suggestions.For maximum benefit.... 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. Make sure to have her take a class for...

 Lots of homeschoolers have a "Crazy Lifestyle of Learning".  I'm a huge fan of Delight Directed Learning , and I love helping my members turn that into words and numbers that colleges understand - and putting those on a Homeschool Transcript. Here is one example!"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....

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 HomeschoolersI suggest thorough course descriptions and extra subject tests.Columbia Admission...

 I'm not a big fan of dual enrollment at community college, but I know that it makes sense in some situations.  If it's a good fit for your family, I want to make sure to pass along one tip.Community college classes provide outside documentation, and provide some "proof" that a child can be successful in a college level class in each subject.  For that reason, it's helpful to have a community college class in each general...

 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 until that...

 Junior YearAs you continue to prepare your student for college, their Junior year is a particularly important year.  You really want to work hard at high school advising during junior year, because that’s when the rubber meets the road. The first task for junior year is to take the PSAT; the junior PSAT is the one that qualifies your student for the National Merit Scholarship. It’s the one that counts, and it’s the one for the...

Preparing for college can start even before your child hits high school.  If you have a middle school student, it’s a great time to review or preview. If you need to do remedial work with your student when they don’t quite know their basic math facts, now’s the time. Likewise, if your child is ready for algebra or geometry, 7th or 8th grade is a perfectly fine time for you to teach those classes.Middle school is...

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

 Time to Go College VisitingWhen you visit a college campus with your high school student, you will likely be given the opportunity to visit a classroom and take a campus tour.  These are great opportunities—don’t miss them!  Choose a class that interests your student, or a general freshman level class to see what the first year of college will be like.  Throughout these activities, you and your student should be taking notes.  Write down the details...