How on earth do I put together a homeschool transcript for high school that the college admissions officers will accept?
It really can be a haunting question. This piece of paper represents the culmination of everything that you as a parent have put into your child's education. For the student, it is a brief summary of years of experiences, knowledge gained, and major steps leading to adulthood. For the college admissions officers, it is one small window into the soul and character of an applicant.
Insiders convey that this document has only a few short seconds to make a big enough impression on the reviewers that they will want to look further at the young person who is behind it and, hopefully, extend an invitation to attend their school.
So what are the key things that need to be on a transcript so it will get noticed? Here are a few items that the college admissions folks definitely want to know about you.
- Did you complete the 16 core classes that are needed for graduation?
- How well did you do in those courses?
- Did you take science with labs in a documentable way that demonstrates actual knowledge and real use of "scientific methods and tools"?
- Are there any outside verifiers of the grades given by a parent?
- Have the appropriate entrance tests been satisfactorily completed?
- Does the student have outside interests and community service?
- Will the applicant have the qualities needed to handle college work?
- How likely is this young person to be a future credit to the school?
- What is unique about about this student?
In an informative, practical workshop, Holly Craw Home Education Services will be sharing information and resources which will give you the tools needed for preparing a transcript which will "speak the language of college admissions officers".
PREPARING A HOMESCHOOL TRANSCRIPT WORKSHOP:
Tips, tricks and templates of transcript compilation
Location: Covenant Homeschool Resource Center
1117 E. Devonshire Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85014
Workshop date and time: Wednesday, August 11, from 11:15-1:45
includes FREE lunch and roundtable Q and A first.
Cost per session: $20 includes: (Add a spouse or teen for $10 each)
SPECIAL DISCOUNT FOR ANY TWO OR MORE PEOPLE REGISTERING TOGETHER
(or one person registering for more than one workshop):
*******TOTAL COST PER PERSON: $12.50, includes lunch and all the items below.******
Register online now for the discount.
- Lunch and Q and A session
- All materials, forms, worksheets, templates provided in Word files via email for your use in customizing to meet your needs
- A Resource List on Word via email with active links for ease of checking out the websites
- The benefit of hours of research compiled for you in an easy to use format (saving you incredible amounts of time)
- Interaction with other homeschool parents who have similar questions and information needs
- Entry into a door prize drawing (Bring a friend and you each get an additional entry)
- Homeschool Goodie Bag
Topics to be discussed include:
- High school coursework needed for college entrance
- Extra-curricular activities and community service
- Detailed overview on setting up transcripts with samples and templates
- Record keeping
- Testing (types, pros and cons, scheduling)
- Timeline for college prep tasks
- Resources
For more details or questions: Contact Holly Craw by email or phone- 602 942-7296
Register online now for the discount.
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Holly Craw Home Education Services
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Comments
As a former home school-er who is now entering Graduate school I can tell you from first hand experience that it would behoove those who wish to go further than community college, GET A GED- you graduate high school- go in spend 60.00 and get the GED no reason to do anything except test.
I was held back a year in my Undergrad studies because they decided that my properly documented grades, and IOWA test results were not proof I had attended school...so while I am in my Undergrad studies I was forced to get a GED...of course most community colleges (two years/associates) are not as tough...but for anything further...JUST get the GED its fast easy and if you do it as a prerequisite straight out of home school/high school. You will be set!
This seems to be excellent advice, and I recommend everyone also maintain close contact with any schools they're thinking of applying to. Admissions personnel can be quite helpful.
HI Jesse,
Thanks for the read and the comment. I am sorry that your college experience wasn't very homeschool friendly. I am curious about which school you attended so that homeschoolers can be aware of the GED "requirement" there. Did you go directly to a university or a CC? Also, did you take any college entrance tests like the ACT or SAT? If all you took was the IOWA test, I can see how that would not be considered substantive enough.
I have not heard of many places recently that do look for GED documentation. For many schools, it is still a "drop out diploma" and may not carry as much weight as the college entrance tests.
It is always the best idea to talk thoroughly with the college admissions department long before you apply (9th or 10th grade if you know at that time where you want to attend) to find out in writing (with the person's name and title) exactly what they want from a homeschooler.
Debra,
Your thoughts on staying in contact with the admissions personnel is excellent, even during early high school years. Attend college fairs, see if your school has an online forum, definitely make a trip to the school to meet someone face-to-face and have a list of questions in hand when you go.
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