College Admissions for Homeschoolers

Virtual Homeschool International

 

These articles are from the homeschool.com newsletter

Colleges Want You!

 

May, 2005

 

The college admissions process is a stressful one but the

good news or homeschooling students (and their parents) is that the

procedure has recently become easier and simpler.

 

Historically, homeschoolers have struggled in the battle to

get an equal footing in the admissions process. Changes to the Higher

Education Act in 1998 made it easier for homeschoolers to enter

college, yet the guidelines issued by the federal government

made it unclear to universities how their eligibility to receive federal

funds would be affected by admitting homeschoolers. Few colleges

updated their admissions policies because of the ambiguity.

 

In November of 2003, the U.S. Department of Education sent an

official letter to all universities, which stated that the admission

of homeschooled students to college would not jeopardize federal

assistance. The letter also clarified the position on compulsory age

and self-certification of completion of secondary education.

 

In the two years since, higher education institutions have

Updated their admissions policies and made them much more inviting for

homeschoolers. Today, a majority of colleges in America evaluate

homeschooled applicants using the same requirements as those for

traditionally schooled students.

 

A sampling of three major universities across North America

shows a consistent welcome environment for homeschooling students.

Harvard University , Purdue University , and the University of Texas

are all homeschooler friendly and impart some good advice for anyone

interested in attending their school.

 

Marlyn McGrath Lewis, Director of Admissions for Harvard College

says "We receive a good number of candidates every year with

all or part of their education from a homeschool background.

Homeschooling is broader than some people realize. We are looking for the

strongest candidates in the world and we find some of those among

homeschoolers."

 

Harvard University uses the same requirements for

homeschoolers and traditional students. Harvard requires applicants to submit the

results of either the SAT I or ACT standardized test and the

results of three SAT II Subject Tests, which applicants may take in

different subjects to demonstrate a mixture of academic interests.

 

"There is no single academic path we expect all students to

follow," according to their Web site, "but the strongest applicants

take the most rigorous secondary school curricula available to them.

An ideal four-year preparatory program includes four years of

English, with extensive practice in writing; four years of math; four years of

science: biology, chemistry, physics, and an advanced course

in one of these subjects; three years of history, including

American and European history; and four years of one foreign language."

 

Traditional applicants can supply a letter from a teacher

who knows them well and who has taught him or her in academic subjects

(preferably in the final two years of secondary school.) However, McGrath Lewis says, "While we can make careful evaluations with required recommendations, we are happy to read helpful letters from people directly familiar with applicants' lives outside the

classroom. Such letters are not necessary, however, and it is generally advisable to submit no more than two or three."

 

In addition to academic standing, Harvard is looking for

well-rounded individuals who have participated in personal development

outside the institution.

 

McGrath Lewis offers this advice: "Follow the passions you

have and develop them. We are looking for non-academic criteria –

maturity, social facility, and non-academic talents, which is the same

range as for traditional students."

 

"It is not harder or easier for homeschoolers to get in. It is

difficult for anyone to get in."

 

Mitch Warren, Senior Associate at the Director Office of

Admissions at Purdue University confers that his school is also

welcoming to homeschoolers.

 

"Admissions for homeschoolers is handled exactly the same as for

traditionally schooled students," says Warren . According to

Purdue's Web site, admission is based on academic quality, including the

strength of your academic program, trends in academic

achievement, and test scores (SAT or ACT.) Other criteria include subject

grades, rank in class, and grades in relevant courses.

 

"We will look at your preparation in core courses related to

Your intended field of study," says Jo Anne Brown, also a Senior

Associate Director at the Office of Admissions at Purdue. "For

example, for nursing students we look at English and lab science classes, for

engineering students it's math and science."

 

One question that homeschoolers frequently ask is whether

they will be hurt by not having a class rank. According to Warren , the

answer is no. "Some students come from large schools but others

come from very small traditional schools and some traditional schools

do not issue a class rank either," he says. "The class rank is only one

criterion."

 

Brown cautions though that, "If you are missing some of the

Criteria used in selection (such as class rank) it puts more emphasis

on the other factors, such as standardized test scores in addition

to the other criteria."

 

Purdue does not require letters of recommendation but both

Warren and Brown note that letters from a supervisor from a part time

job, or religious leader are as welcome as a letter from a teacher in a

traditional school.

 

"I would give homeschoolers the same advice as other

applicants," says Brown. "Be involved in outside activities, either in the

community, or in connection with a school. Have strong academic

credentials and take the SAT or ACT twice, first in the

spring of your junior year, and again in the fall of your senior year.

Purdue uses the better score on the tests -- whatever helps the

Applicant the most."

 

"Apply early and visit the campus," continues Brown. "Use

our Website to get as much information as possible about the university

and make contact with somebody at the institution. Pay attention to

deadlines for housing, financial aid, and scholarships and follow

through."

 

Warren also has some advice. "I would suggest to anyone

looking at larger institutions that is coming from a small setting,

including homeschoolers, to visit the campus to make sure a larger

setting is comfortable for them."

 

Kedra Ishop, Associate Director of Admissions at the

University of Texas says "We certainly do accept homeschoolers. We have a

Growing number of homeschool applicants and those that choose to

apply to our institution generally fair well in our process."

 

Homeschoolers do not have any additional requirements from

traditionally schooled students. As a matter of law, public

colleges and universities in Texas can not require more of students

from non-accredited high school backgrounds than they do of students from

traditional schools.

 

"I recommend that homeschoolers give us a complete picture

of who they are," says Ishop. "Because they're out-of-school

activities are sometimes non-traditional or are so much engrained in their

schooling, I find that those that apply to us sometimes

short change themselves by not giving us all of their activities, honors,

awards, hobbies, etc. This is an integral part of our application

process."

 

"I also encourage home school students to submit any and all

Academic credentials that they can get or have. We don't require any

additional testing or credentials other than our standard

requirements, but UT Austin admissions is a very competitive

environment. The more robust their academic credentials,

the more strongly they can compete."

 

Ishop continues. "Admission to the University is

competitive. To help us make informed decisions, we consider a number of factors

that help us to get an accurate view of your educational progress and

academic abilities. Since you won't be able to submit a class rank

(one of the University's major admissions factors), the Office of

Admissions will look at other indicators of your academic competitiveness. Some

indicators are SAT I (or ACT) and SAT II scores; the curriculum used

in the homeschool environment; awards and honors you may

have won in competition with traditionally schooled students; grades you

earned in college courses taken in conjunction with home schooling; and

other indicators that might be available to you. "

 

"To help us make a decision about your admission, the Office of

Admissions will review your file looking for evidence that you

excelled both academically and personally. That's why it's

critical for you to include as much information as possible to help

us place you properly within the applicant pool. Include information

about what and how you studied, how you enhanced your learning

experiences, and the activities that you participated in during your high

school years. Reviewing the list of factors we consider for all

applicants may help you to determine what relevant information to

include as part of your application."

 

Requirements for admission vary by institution but common

Requests may include a high school diploma, a parent's transcript, or

GED, class rank, SAT, ACT or SAT II test scores, portfolio

review, written essays, interviews, and/or entrance examinations.

 

Most colleges accept equivalent documentation for items not

Available to the homeschooled student (such as a letter from a teacher) or

place more emphasis on other criteria when one is missing (such as class rank.)

 

Your best approach is to check with the admissions office to

determine the specific requirements of any schools you are

interested in and to be sure they do accept homeschoolers. The good

news is the answer will generally be yes.

 

College Resources

• Harvard UniversityContact:
• Marlyn McGrath Lewis,
• Director of Admissions for Harvard College

 

• Purdue University
• Contact: Mitch Warren, Senior Associate Director Office of Admissions
• Jo Anne Brown, Senior Associate Director Office of Admissions

 

UTexas

Contact: Kedra Ishop

 

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©VHI 2005