College Entrance for Homeschool Students
To enter most colleges and universities today, students are admitted on the basis of their SAT or ACT scores. When students have attended accredited High Schools, their course GPA must be submitted along with their ACT/SAT score. If credits and scores are high enough, the student is admitted. However, if students have not attended accredited schools, they are admitted as “Non-Traditional Students,” based on their test scores. There are at least five different ways non-traditional students are allowed entrance into colleges and/or universities: 1. Admission Based on Transcript and ACT or SAT score A well-prepared transcript along with an ACT or SAT score may fill requirements for admission into college. Transcript creator (link to the right) or similar web services may be used to create a transcript. Students are advised to visit with the admissions department of the college or university they want to attend for specific requirements for college entrance. **New option** The CLT (Classic Learning Test) is a new alternative to the ACT/SAT. The Classic Learning Test (CLT) invites students to wrestle with works of the greatest minds in the history of Western thought across literary and mathematical content. Rich material reflecting both theistic and secular perspectives benefits and enriches the student in the test-taking process. Among standardized college entrance exams, the CLT provides the most accurate and rigorous measure of academic formation, accomplishment, and potential. Students take this two-hour exam at a local testing center and receive test scores immediately. Learn more about the CLT at: www.cltexam.com 2. Admission Based On GED/ACT Scores Prospective students may be considered for admission based on an acceptable score on both the ACT (American College Test) and the GED (General Educational Development test). Acceptable generally means a score of 60 or higher on the GED and an ACT composite score equal to the average for entering freshmen at a particular school. Please note: As of January, 2014 the GED has been aligned to the Common Core. Before taking the GED, please learn about the changes so you can make an informed choice about the GED option. Click here to read about one parent's concerns. 3. Early Admissions Most colleges and universities have a policy which allows a student to be admitted before their high school class graduates. The policy varies by institution, but usually a grade point average above 3.20 is required, as well as an ACT composite score equal to or above the average ACT scores for entering freshmen. 4. Transfer Credits Taken Through Extension, Continuing Education, Or Independent Studies Programs Most institutions will admit students to these programs as non-matriculated students (eligible for graduation) without official transcripts or test scores. Students who choose to become matriculated may be accepted as a student upon completion of a minimum of 24 college semester credits with a GPA of approximately 3.00. 5. Obtaining a High School Diploma from an Accredited School: While many homeschool students are admitted to colleges and universities without a high school diploma, some families may prefer the security of knowing the high school diploma came from an accredited school. These families may consider looking into:
When seeking a high school diploma from an accredited school, it pays to do your homework. The institution providing the diploma must be officially recognized and accredited. Excel High School provides a list of fake online high school and GED programs on their website. Click here to see the list. |
Resources: More information on Home Schooling during high school and preparing students for college can be found at: Homeschool Moms2Moms Free e-Book Homeschool to Grad School(free eBook from College Plus) Transcript Creator: https://www.transcriptmaker.com Homeschool for High School students: The Home Scholar is a great website, filled with many resources and tips, for homeschooling high school students. How to Apply to College as a Home Schooler Affordable Online Colleges:
Finding the most affordable online colleges comes down to looking for the best value, not just the lowest cost. You want to get what you pay for and then some, especially given that any degree is a two or four-year investment. The Simple Dollar website will help you find the most affordable and best value online colleges. Click here for more information. College Degrees Online: At College Degrees Online, you will find online degree programs in the United States, sourced by data from the US Department of Education, NCES, every accrediting board in the US, the US Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics Data Science Programs: This guide is dedicated to data science education. They have researched the web and assembled a list of hundreds of Data Science Programs |