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The Best High School Guidance Counselor Is YOU!

August 2018
By Lee Binz
The HomeScholar

Guess who is the best high school guidance counselor? You are! And I can prove it! The average high school guidance counselor has 478 students. Based on this fact alone, it’s easy to see that the best high school guidance counselor is a loving parent, homeschooling naturally at home. You can homeschool high school fearlessly and confidently, knowing you are the best possible guidance counselor your child could ever have.

Currently, only two states meet the guidance goal of 200 students per counselor. You may feel out-numbered in your home, but you don’t have that many high school students by birth or adoption. Only 4 out of 10 public school students have ever (ever!) spoken to their guidance counselor.

On average, counselors spend 38 minutes per student during their high school years. Have you spoken to your child recently? How many minutes did you spend? It may have been more than 38 minutes before breakfast this morning.

For in-depth instruction on one of you most important tasks as a high school guidance counselor, register for my free class, "High School Testing - Simply Explained." In it, you will learn how to decide which test (e.g., SAT, ACT®, CLT) is best for your student and how to maximize your preparation time. CLICK HERE to register.

Take this quick assessment to determine your qualifications for this important job.

Qualifications Quiz

How many adults (over 18 years old) are in your home? Give yourself 1 point for each.
How many high school students are in your home? Give yourself 1 point for each.
On a scale of 1 to 10, how well do you know these children? Add to the total.
Have you spoken to your children today? Give yourself 1 point if “yes”.
Do you have less than 478 students per adult? Give yourself 1 point if “yes”.
Do you have less than 200 students per adult? Give yourself 1 point if “yes”.
Score: 10 points or more means you are well-qualified

A score of 10 or more points indicates a well-qualified homeschool guidance counselor! Assuming you are an average homeschooler, you could have up to four high school students at a time. Which school do you believe has the better student-to-advisor ratio? The average school or your homeschool?

Factor into this equation the simple fact that you LOVE your child. You are emotionally, sentimentally, and financially invested in their lasting success. Homeschool parents know that if they don’t properly prepare their children, they might be financially responsible for those children for the rest of their lives!

More importantly, you also have a huge emotional investment in your child’s success, because you want them to do well. High school guidance counselors do their job to the best of their abilities, but they don’t know each child. You don’t need to feel hesitant in your own abilities or feel the need for an official guidance counselor. What’s needed is you; you’re the best person for the job.

If you are only half as qualified as a public high school guidance counselor, you are still able to be a hundred times more effective. You have the numbers on your side, you know your child better than anyone else, and the love for your child motivates you to success.

Don’t underestimate the importance of knowing and loving your child. I was getting my hair done one day, listening to two moms talk about their children in public school. One of them was describing how her child simply could not get through a Pre-Algebra class, which was too hard for him. The public school insisted that he move on to Algebra 1 but the school wouldn’t let him retake Pre-Algebra because he would fail, and they didn’t want him to be left behind. She asked her son during the first weeks of school how Algebra was going, and he replied that he was lost, had no clue what was going on, and felt he was going to fail. Two weeks into the quarter, she discovered that her son had been accidentally signed up for Calculus class. Instead of taking and failing Algebra 1, he was taking and failing Calculus.

As homeschool parents, we’re not perfect, but there’s no way we would make this mistake! We know our child and what they are capable of, so there’s no way we’d skip through three levels of math and put them in a class that’s way over their head. I understand that homeschoolers often feel inferior about their capability to counsel their children in high school. You have to admit that you would not make that kind of mistake.

Take this quick review of basic skills a guidance counselor uses to determine your readiness for the job. The U.S. Department of Education reports that 92 percent of high school guidance counselors perform five important tasks. Can you do these things?

Skills Assessment Quiz

1. Use College Catalogs
Can you read, and use a catalog? These substantial catalogs resemble gigantic phone books, and you can find them in public libraries. If you know where your public library is or know how to buy books online, give yourself 1 point.
2. Individual Counseling Sessions
Have you spoken to your teenager recently? Would you consider it an individualized conversation? (Focused on your teen or their needs.) If so, give yourself 1 point. I know that in various high schools, guidance counselors ask that a student bring a list of their activities, or a resume with them when they meet. If you had to ask your child to bring a resume to your individual counseling session, subtract 1 point.
3. Use Computerized Career Information
Computers tend to be found in homeschoolers’ homes and some use the computer at a library or resource center. If a computer is not available, a librarian can direct you to career information sources in print. If you know where your public library is or you know how to make use of a computer, give yourself 1 point.
4. Use Non-computerized Career Information
If you have spoken to your child about getting a job, if your child has ever earned money in any way or held a non-paying job of any kind, or if you know how to make use of your public library, give yourself 1 point.
5. Coordinate and Interpret Tests
There are two websites that offer all the information you need to schedule and understand high school tests: Collegeboard.com and ACT®.org. If you can locate these websites on the internet, give yourself 1 point.
Score: 5 points or more means your skills are sharp

How did you score? If you received 5 points, you are capable of offering the same service as a public school guidance counselor. Less than 5 points may warrant remedial computer services. Just ask your teen. You’ll be up to speed in no time!

How to be the BEST Guidance Counselor
You are qualified and have the necessary skills. Let’s talk about what will help you become the best guidance counselor for your homeschool teen.

1. Focus on Flexibility
Teenagers will change their minds, which means focusing on being flexible. College preparation is important for all students. College-bound students need coursework designed to prepare them for college studies. Students need to take college admission tests and parents must learn about grades and credits. College-bound students need a homeschool diploma and a homeschool transcript. College preparation for college-bound students is expected.

But have you ever taken into consideration what a college preparatory home education might offer for students who will not go to college? Rigorous academics could benefit children even though they are not planning for higher education. Without college, a homeschool education could be the only formal education a student gets. Academic preparation will not hurt anyone and if they don’t go to college, it won’t go to waste. College preparation may help your child be a more effective employee or business owner, a smarter citizen, and a confident homeschool parent. Planning for college can’t hurt your child and it delivers flexibility for the future.

2. Become the Project Manager
Homeschool parents assume four main roles throughout their children’s lives: caretaker, teacher, mentor, and friend. During high school, the teacher role becomes increasingly less important. College preparation necessitates that you take a “project manager” role. Our job gets to be more administrative, however it is not going to become more time-consuming or complicated. It’s simply different.

3. Plan Courses
Plan your high school classes. Throughout eighth and ninth grades, find out about your own state requirements and try to make a system to meet those requirements. Look at the common college expectations for recommended high school courses. Look over and adjust your high school plan each year. Budding nurses and engineers might have to buckle down on math, and those getting ready to be missionaries could benefit from additional foreign languages. Learn to develop a flexible, big-picture plan with my article, “Planning High School Courses.”

4. Plan for Tests
Arrange for standard high school tests. Which tests should your child take, when do they take them, and how do you know? The majority of the answers are found on two websites: CollegeBoard.com and ACT®.org. Register your child for the PSAT/NMSQT® in 10th grade for fun, and in 11th grade to be considered for the National Merit Scholarship. College admission tests, such as the SAT and ACT®, are typically taken in spring of 11th grade and repeated in senior year only if necessary. As a homeschooler, you can help your child get the best possible SAT or ACT® score with the least possible stress. Subject tests are best taken immediately after your child finishes each subject; they are required by some colleges.

5. Encourage Extracurricular Activities
You desire your child to be well-rounded and so do colleges. Encourage your child to volunteer or seek employment, internships, or apprenticeships. Encourage activities such as sports, music, and art. Colleges love to see kids who are enthusiastic about something. They can see this elusive enthusiasm in extra-curricular activities students maintain through all four years of high school.

6. Find Appropriate Colleges
To accomplish your intention of selecting ideal colleges, the first step is to go to a college fair. Comparable to a homeschool convention, a college fair is a fast, straightforward way to learn a lot about multiple colleges in a brief amount of time. Step two is getting your child to take the PSAT/NMSQT® in October of junior year. Third is taking time to stop by colleges during the year, so you can eliminate poor choices from your list. The fourth step is taking the SAT or ACT® in the spring, which might help you discover the appropriate college fit both academically and financially.

7. Contemplate College Finances
We all know we should be saving for college, however intentions don’t always match reality. Regardless of your saving success, learn how homeschoolers earn scholarships. Don’t be afraid to consider private colleges. They sometimes provide considerably better financial aid than public schools and usually their costs are comparable. College tuition is like buying a car. Hardly anyone pays the sticker price, so don’t be afraid of a school’s list price.

In October of senior year, you need to complete the FAFSA®. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid is an IRS-style form that helps colleges decide how much money the government believes you will be able to afford to pay for college - usually with comical results! Here we are having to worry about the price of gasoline, and they think we can manage that amount? The FAFSA® is used to find out how much financial aid colleges will award.

8. Prepare High School Records
When you determine which colleges your child will apply to, ask each college what high school records they need from you. It can vary drastically and there is no way to know unless you ask. They may only request a transcript.

Some colleges may also want to see a simple reading list, but others will want exhaustive course descriptions and grading criteria. Sometimes they have unusual and unique requirements. The quality of a student's high school record is the most important factor in college admission decisions. Most colleges require, request, or appreciate course descriptions.

Find out their requirements early on to make sure you can give them what they need. I always advise keeping everything in high school – you never know what colleges will want. One college asked me for an English paper that I had graded. Another college needed subject tests in several different areas. Like a Boy Scout, always be prepared! At the end of homeschooling, at the end of senior year, don't forget to send the college a final transcript that includes graduation date, final grades, and grade point average.

9. Apply to Colleges
Guide your child through the college application process. College applications are generally lengthy and complex. Admission essays will be tedious and time consuming. Plan to begin the application process during September of senior year to allow enough time to complete it. It’s possible to write college application essays in junior year if you prefer to plan ahead. You can always alter them before submitting.

10. Apply Early in Senior Year
Each college may require two or more essays, and each application could be many pages. Quite often, admission and financial aid decisions are “first come, first served” which means it can be worthwhile to plan ahead. I encourage students to finish applications by January first whenever possible, to be in the best situation. The college deadline might be later, but they will be overloaded with applicants near the deadline. They can give your child’s application a more relaxed reading if you turn it in early.

11. Keep it Simple
You have only one goal per year during the four years of high school. In freshman year, all you have to do is contemplate college. Sophomore year is the time to prepare for college. The focal point of junior year is selecting a few colleges where your child would like to apply. During senior year, the main goal is completing college applications.

12. Take Continuing Education
If you spend just a few minutes each month thinking about what you need to do, you'll never fall behind. You are prepared to be a great high school guidance counselor. For the best success, take continuing education seriously. Read books and take classes about homeschooling high school each month to get a gentle reminder about your current tasks.

For parents of college-bound students, continuing education is even more important. Knowing what to do and when to do it can make a huge difference in the amount of financial aid and admission offers. The College Launch Solution will teach you everything you need to position your high school student to receive the best possible admission and scholarship awards, and then help them succeed throughout college and into their career.

Be Brave and Have Confidence in Homeschooling
The guidance counselor at a public school has a huge job. Hundreds of students, with only eight hours in a day. They are responsible for the college and career plans of hundreds of kids they don't know. Our job as homeschool parents is significantly more manageable. We are only responsible for our own children, whom we know extremely well.

Homeschoolers have the advantage in college preparation! We are intimately involved in our children’s education. Because of this, we truly recognize their strengths and weak points, their ambitions and passions. We can offer the best guidance counseling for them because we are love-givers, not just care-givers. In school settings, a guidance counselor may know about tests and deadlines, but they have hundreds of students to guide and might only speak to each student once or twice. Just like our fantastic student-teacher ratio, our student-advisor ratio can’t be beat!

Be brave! You know your child better than anyone and you are completely capable of offering the guidance they require through high school. You can do it! "Remember, amateurs built the Ark. Professionals built the Titanic."

The Best High School Guidance Counselor Is YOU!
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Recommended Resources
Super Scholarships for Humble Homeschoolers
Free Class!
You can afford college! How? I want to show you how to earn BIG merit based scholarships you thought were reserved for the uber-intelligent or Olympic-level athletes. These scholarships are available for homeschoolers, even kids that are academically or athletically dis-inclined. In fact, one of the best ways to position your kids for these scholarships is by leveraging the educational benefits available EXCLUSIVELY to homeschoolers.

In this class you'll learn why merit scholarships provide the most money. I'll teach you which college admission test is best, the SAT or ACT®, and why. I'll show you how to make SURE your child will stand out above the crowd, regardless of their gifts or challenges. You'll learn how to find a college that gives great scholarships, and the secrets to creating homeschool records that will reduce college costs.

How to Homeschool College
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[Kindle Book]
Do you ever wonder whether a 4-year traditional college education is the best choice for your homeschool graduate? Have you ever cringed at the expense and time it takes, but figure there are no alternatives? Homeschooling college is not a new idea—people have been doing it for years via distance learning—and it’s become very popular lately, especially with homeschooled graduates.

For the student who is willing to put in the work, homeschooling college can be an effective and economical fast track to a college degree. “How to Homeschool College” lays out all the different methods of earning college credit, based on the author’s experience with her own children.

The College Launch Solution
Learn Secrets to Successfully Launch Your Teen into College and Life
For parents of college-bound teens, this resource will provide you all the training, resources, and support you need to become the best possible college coach for your student. You will get the vital information you need at a fraction of the cost of hiring a professional college consultant.

Copyright © 2018 The HomeScholar LLC, www.HomeHighSchoolHelp.com. Text may be reprinted without permission if used in full, except for use in a book or other publication for rent or for sale. Reprint must include this copyright, bio (below), and the original URL link - https://www.homehighschoolhelp.com/the-best-high-school-guidance-counselor-is-you

Lee Binz, The HomeScholar, specializes in helping parents homeschool high school. Get Lee's FREE Resource Guide "The 5 Biggest Mistakes Parents Make Homeschooling High School" and more freebies at www.HomeHighSchoolHelp.com/freebies.

College for Struggling Learners

June 2018
By Lee Binz
The HomeScholar

Dealing with learning challenges is difficult, but in high school, it can become seriously concerning. You don't have to be afraid! With the great student to teacher ratio of homeschooling, and the love for your child, you can overcome learning struggles! A parent is a successful homeschooler if their child is performing to the best of their ability. It’s an emotional struggle, best understood by other parents who have faced the challenge.

Learn the “12 Keys to High School Success” and understand how struggling learners can succeed as they begin high school.

Homeschooling works, because it can improve their academic performance level, even allowing children to achieve grade level in their most challenging subjects. Younger children thrive at home, without teachers labeling them or children teasing them. Parents can use a learning style that works for each child, and keep the repetitive work to the minimum their child needs in order to practice and learn. Older children can still learn high school subjects without relying on their weakest abilities to get the information. If reading is a challenge your child can learn through listening, if writing is difficult your child can answer questions orally. Without being slowed down by their unique learning challenges, teens can progress through all the grade levels and into successful adulthood.

This post contains affiliate links. If you click and buy I make a few pennies, but not enough for a latte.

Debbie was at her lowest point when she realized her 12-year-old son, Dan, could not read or write in his Sunday school classes. She had to carefully shield him from the judgment of others. Her homeschool friends were very understanding, but she worked hard to keep him away from situations where he would have to read aloud. She was distraught. Again and again they changed curriculum, hoping each time that a new curriculum would change everything. It seemed like nothing would ever work. He struggled with learning all the way through high school. She never had him officially tested, because she didn't want him to be labeled as an adult. Dan has achieved wonderful things since graduating homeschool!

When Dan turned 18, he started working at Starbucks. An excellent worker, he received nothing but positive feedback, which motivated him to continue his education and decided to attend college. He didn't score well on the SAT®, so they did not report his scores to colleges. He entered college "through the back door" his mother said, by attending community college first. His excellent work ethic and love of learning helped him thrive where others felt adrift.

Dan transferred from community college to the university with a 3.89 grade point average. There were 300 applicants to the business school that year, and Dan was one of only 100 admitted. Debbie says, "He finally realizes he can do it!"

Debbie has some great advice for parents. Don't push [your child] before they are ready. She was glad she kept him home, so that he could avoid the negative feedback from a public school setting. She read aloud to Dan constantly – even his high school textbooks, when necessary. She used verbal assessments in all his classes, and didn't introduce essay writing until much later.

She recommends books by Dr. Raymond Moore, including Better Late Than Early: A New Approach to Your Child's Education and Grace Llewellyn, The Teenage Liberation Handbook: How to Quit School and Get a Real Life and Education and Cynthia Tobias, The Way They Learn. She says, "You feel like you're failing – like you didn't do something right." Don't be deterred, though. It takes a lot of one-on-one time, but that's the benefit of homeschooling. Read their textbooks and the classics to your child. Even in college they can be allowed help with reading.

In her lowest moments, Debbie would remember her grandfather. He also could not read. His wife would read blueprints to him each night so he would be prepared for work the next day. Still, her grandfather was a successful businessman. He was able to compensate. Her son Dan is able to compensate now.

Teenagers Change Their Minds

Her biggest surprise was realizing that Dan wanted a college degree. She had never thought he would go to college, and only vaguely considered a technical school. But when he worked at Starbucks, he identified his gift in business. Her additional advice is the same as mine. She says, "Even if you think they won't go to college, they may – so always be prepared!"

Dan is so thankful he was homeschooled. He has said he would never put his own children in public school. He knows that if he had been in public school, he wouldn't be where he is today. Nurturing is critical, and homeschooling can provide that best. Debbie says, I remember the hopelessness. They CAN succeed and excel – just give them the tools."

Learning to Teach

JoAnn homeschooled her two daughters, feeling extremely unsure of her abilities – until her girls were officially diagnosed with learning disabilities. Once she had the diagnosis, she realized that homeschooling was the best option. She didn't want her girls ostracized and placed in a "special" group that would have a negative effect on their socialization skills. Even her mother became increasingly supportive of homeschooling after the diagnosis was made.

Her two girls could not read until half-way through 5th grade. They struggled in reading, writing, and spelling. Joann took her children to The Slingerland Institute. She recommends two pamphlets that really helped her cope, Why Wait for a Criterion of Failure and the other is An Adaptation of the Orton-Gillingham Approach for Classroom Teaching of Reading, both by Beth Slingerland.

JoAnn's advice is "Never despair! The timing of brain growth is on your CHILD'S timetable, not yours. Accept it, because you certainly can't change it!" She wishes she would have dropped more academic subjects when they were in elementary school. Still, she is so glad she homeschooled. "Homeschooling is better for dyslexic kids for the positive encouragement and socialization."

She taught with multi-sensory input and multi-sensory output. In every subject she worked to provide lessons with audio, visual, and tactile input. She would supplement courses with drama, hands on projects, and verbal assessments all the way through school. Her daughters were especially helped by the use of color. Her daughter still color codes her college lecture notes to improve her retention.

JoAnn's older daughter went directly into a university and majored in biology with a minor in chemistry. She has recently graduated with an advanced degree as a Veterinarian Technician. Her younger daughter also went directly into a university. She will graduate with a degree in interior design, and has already done some design work for Bill Gates as a college intern. Both girls were very successful in college.

Learning to Cope When Children are Young

Jill is hesitant about labeling her daughter in any way, but knew she faced some unique challenges even though she wasn't formally diagnosed. Her daughter recently became a National Merit Scholarship Semi-Finalist. Here is what Jill says about her daughter's struggles: "She worked hard and I'm very proud of her. She is the daughter that would fit into the statement 'I could never homeschool my child because....' She is very active, intense, dramatic and a joy to be around. I am convinced that if she were in the public school we would have been 'encouraged' to put her on medications (the standard line around here, when she is getting jumpy is to 'run up to the mailbox and get the mail' which is a mile round trip). She has forced me to think outside of the box and, well, it is an adventure I'm sorry to see come to a close."

Like the other mothers, Jill was able to find a way to harness strengths and weaknesses, and teach her child to compensate for difficulties. With a parent's close attention, unique coping mechanisms can develop. A homeschool parent can see small successes, and learn to shape and mold new ways of coping with each challenge.

Joelle is right in the thick of things, with her young child. I asked her for some advice for others, and she emphasizes that coping comes from faith. This is Joelle's experienced advice.

"A learning 'disability' (a word I hesitate to use for anyone who doesn't have a severe condition) isn't something you can just make go away if you have a clinic and a handful of web links. A learning challenge is best addressed by being sensitive to learning style and interests, which, as you know, vary from child to child.

A learning challenge is also a mindset, a lifestyle, and sore knees from prayer. A learning challenge means you'll come face to face with your pessimism and lack of faith through tears of mourning for the child you don't have. But lest anyone abandon hope, a learning challenge also means seeing God answer those tears by turning them to tears of what is, hands down, absolutely the most incredible joy when you see the triumphs. You will see those victories sooner or later on Earth or in Heaven.

A learning challenge leads to personal growth in the siblings of the challenged child. A learning challenge is a worldview, a lens, a perspective. It's the fierce mother-bear love you have when you whisper to your child, 'Don't listen to the naysayers. I love you no matter what, and I'm still your teacher.'

I can offer a short list of helpful resources, but there is only one resource on here that I can guarantee hands down will help everyone. The rest can be labeled 'of interest.'

1) The Bible. Children are people - in fact, they are the most human of people. There are lots of passages on how we are to deal with our fellow humans. This is the only resource on this list that I can guarantee will help.
2) Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder by Richard Louv - read this concurrently with #3
3) Smart Moves: Why Learning Is Not All in Your Head by Carla Hannaford - which will probably lead to curiosity about #4
4) Brain Gym: Simple Activities for Whole Brain Learning or similar therapies
5) The National Association for Child Development

While your children are young, find what works for your child. Do your research, beginning with the Learning Disabilities Association. As your child grows, there is a shift in your purpose. Eventually your purpose becomes learning how to compensate for learning challenges in a way that will allow your child to succeed in college and career.

Learning to Compensate with Older Teens

In a school setting, children are often given an accommodation for their learning challenges. In the adult world, people learn to compensate for their weaknesses all the time. If you have a child that struggles with writing, you can help them learn to compensate.

Teach keyboarding skills with Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing. Provide audio books to increase their vocabulary when they can’t read advanced books. While parents of young children rely on audio books for literature, you can find high school curriculum and textbooks with an audio download available. Even popular science texts, like Exploring Creation with Biology and Discovering Design with Chemistry have an inexpensive audio book available. Although not perfect, it’s possible to have a computer read aloud texts and websites.

Consider getting adaptive technology that will help teens compensate. One popular example is Dragon Naturally Speaking, a speech-recognition software that will type for your child. It gives "users the power to create documents, reports and emails three times faster than most people type - with up to 99%accuracy. My husband has tried the software, and had a lot of fun with it, and for a computer-savvy teen it should be a breeze. Your teen will have to "train" the computer to understand their voice. Once the computer types what was said, some editing may be required, but it’s much less work that having a teenager write an entire paper.

I do think Dragon Naturally Speaking can help improve academic performance across many subjects, allowing your child to perform at a high school level. They can use it to compose reports or assignments in all their subjects quickly. Then they can succeed in history, economics, science, and other subjects, without being penalized for their weaknesses in English. This can improve their love of learning, and lead to a better educated child in the long run.

Seek a diagnosis and accommodation when it will help your child. If you think a diagnosis will help you teach your child, then it will help your child. It you think a diagnosis will help your child get into college, or succeed in college, then it will help your child. In this situation, testing would be worthwhile, even if it's inconvenient.

Learning to Succeed in College

Keep in mind your long-terms goals. You want your child to grow up and have their own home. You want them to succeed and thrive in anything they choose, whether it means college or career.

Some colleges specialize in learning disabilities, and you can easily see them proudly sharing their specialization when attending a college fair. Many colleges offer support services to help students that face learning challenges. Anita in Missouri wrote, “All of the colleges we visited with my son had learning help centers that provided free assistance in many areas; studying, writing, test prep, and many other areas as well.” You are not alone, there is support for your child in college. There really is a great college out there for your child that will understand and accept any learning issues without hesitation.

Find helpful colleges by going to a college fair. You can do additional research with this college guide that prioritizes in this kind of specialized college search. The K&W Guide to Colleges for Students with Learning Differences, 13th Edition: 353 Schools with Programs or Services for Students with ADHD, ASD, or Learning Disabilities

It’s helpful to prepare for the SAT® or ACT® when possible. High schoolers face multiple timed tests in their life, but below average scores have to be a recipe for failure and negative feedback. Instead, request accommodation for the SAT® and ACT® if necessary, which does require a doctor's diagnosis. If you don't want accommodation for college admission tests, a diagnosis may not be necessary. You may feel comfortable with your homeschooling methods, and don't need additional help or direction. Perhaps a specialist will not impact what you're doing, and a diagnosis may not change anything or be worth your while. On the other hand, if you are completely baffled about how to teach your student in a way that makes sense, and the input of a specialist will help you and change what you are doing, then evaluation may be useful.

Ten Tips for Handling the College Admission Process

Colleges love diversity in general, to encourage vibrant interaction in classroom discussions. They are looking for all different kinds of personal experiences and backgrounds. Because your struggles are part of who you are, you can bring much-needed perspective to college!

1. Start thinking early. Create a plan for maximum flexibility for your child, to be prepared for any college or career choice.
2. Take college prep classes. Use accommodations and any learning styles or methods that work.
3. Be creative with curriculum. Use outside the box subjects and curriculum. For example, using ASL for foreign language.
4. Encourage confidence and assertiveness. Teens should understand their medications and what they need.
5. Find adaptive technology. Determine what will help them succeed. For example, consider using Dragon Naturally Speaking.
6. Document disability when helpful. Obtain a recent diagnosis and assessment, when you think it will help your child. Then research an IEP, and keep notes about accommodation you provide while homeschooling.
7. Ask for help when needed. Whether extra help, note takers, or special software, keep written notes establishing a record of the individualized program you do at home, including timing and location of tests, presentation of materials, or other techniques you have used to improve understanding while homeschooling.
8. Search for colleges that provide help. Attend a college fair, visit interesting colleges, and contact the college’s academic support department. Ask about the success of other learning disabled (LD) students in their program.
9. Accentuate strengths and achievements. Create comprehensive homeschool records that show the academic rigor of your homeschool, without mentioning adaptation. Include an activity list, with volunteer work or employment successes.
10. Arrange accommodation in college. Prepare a list of reasonable adaptive services that might be helpful, and discuss those with the college the student will attend.

Learning to Grow as Adults

Jay Smith of Linfield College says,

"The advice that I’d give to your students, is to simply be proactive in their college search process. The students shouldn’t be afraid to ask colleges if they offer support for students with learning disabilities, and what that support entails. We have high expectations of our students, but we also understand that we all learn in different ways."

Some colleges have an extremely supportive environment for children with learning disabilities. Redeemer Pacific College is a small Catholic college in Langley, BC, affiliated with Canada's premier Christian liberal arts university, Trinity Western University. Admissions Coordinator Jennifer Friesen says, "All RPC students are able to use the services for students with disabilities offered through TWU, including access to the Learning Resource Centre and starting off their university career at TWU's Freshman Academy." The Learning Resource Centre offers services such as note taking, accommodated examinations and providing material in alternate formats.

Freshman Academy is a program for students who have not met the requirements for admission into university due to a low grade point average or missing academic courses. Friesen says, "Freshman Academy allows students to go through their classes in a small cohort with the support of their professors, a faculty Learning Coach, and their classmates. Once students have completed Freshman Academy they are able to directly enter their second year of university at Redeemer Pacific and Trinity Western."

When I go to college fairs, I notice how many colleges truly specialize in students with learning struggles. They want your students, and they are ready, willing, and able to teach them.

College for Struggling Learners
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Recommended Resources
Homeschool Records that Open Doors!
FREE Workshop!

Learn secrets for making colleges and universities stand up and take notice of your students…no matter how humble your homeschool!

You can offer something more desirable than perfect SAT®/ACT® scores and a dozen AP classes. In fact, there is something so basic about your quirky little homeschool and yet so important to colleges that you probably wouldn't guess it in a thousand years! Almost every homeschool family I've met has "got it" in abundance. Very few, however, know how to communicate it effectively. You can create homeschool records that demonstrate the sum of all your hard work.

Finding the Faith to Homeschool High School: Weekly Reflections for Weary Parents
You already have kids, curriculum, pens, and paper ... now you just need to find the faith!

When you homeschool high school, sometimes the only thing separating success from failure is faith and a friend. This book will give you both! Imagine sitting across the table with a dear friend at your favorite coffee shop, sharing struggles and scriptures with each other. Let Lee Binz, The HomeScholar, be that dear friend who can lift you up with scriptural hope and encouragement.

Prepare Your Teen for Launch with the
College Launch Solution
Digital Resource

For parents of college-bound teens, this resource will provide you all the training, resources, and support you need to become the best possible college coach for your student. You will get the vital information you need at a fraction of the cost of hiring a professional college consultant.

15 Point Senior Year Inspection Checklist

Visit Colleges in the Spring

Taming Middle School Anxiety

The Best High School Guidance Counselor Is YOU!

College for Struggling Learners

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