Rosaline

Colleges ask me to provide a transcript with GPA and an explanation of my evaluation standard. But the problem is I don't have GPA! My homeschool is more like self-studying. And neither my parents or I give myself tests like schools do at the end of a year or a semester. But I have taken the SAT and am going to take 4 SAT2. What can I do now? How can I explain this to colleges? I also wonder if other homeschoolers provide GPA to colleges? Thanks!!!

GeekMom63

What grade are you in right now?

In most cases you really need some sort of outside verification. Community college classes, AP tests, SAT 2s, etc will all tell the colleges what your readiness are. A lot of people use "narrative transcripts" where they explain their classes with a paragraph or so and a reading list.

Find posts by danas, who (I think) did more unschooley stuff. Also look at the Common App homeschool supplement and see what they suggest.

For a transcript without the graded parts, you shouldn't have too much trouble. Just list the subjects you've self-studied.

Good luck!

Rosaline

^Thanks, GeekMom.

Actually, I've graduated last year(took a gap year). Do you know where I can find a sample of a narrative transcript? And should I incorporate my reading list into the transcript? I once asked an AO from NYU and she said they don't accept a separate reading list.

The thing that I'm worried about the most is that, does a non-grades transcript would make me less competitive compared to students from traditional schools?

GeekMom63

We didn't use a narrative transcript because my son had a ton of CC classes; we just gave "S" for the self-study classes. I'd imagine you could find many examples if you google it.

As far as a non-grades transcript making you less competitive, probably, without any backup. How can they know what you've really done? Contact the admissions departments of interest and ask for their suggestions.

Are you planning to apply in fall? If so, you have plenty of time to take a few more SAT 2s, maybe an AP or two. Get letters from people in the community that you've studied with, worked with, volunteered with - anything that lets the colleges know you know what you're doing. You might even want to consider a GED, again, talk to the colleges of interest to find out.

PurplePeach

GeekMom63: Were all of his [your son] home school (i.e. every class not at a community college or other institution) classes labeled S, out of curiosity?

GeekMom63

@PurplePeach - Yes, except for Bio, where he got a 750 on the SAT 2, and another subject, where he produced something for someone who wrote him one of his LORs. For both of those, since there was outside verification, I gave him an A.

He had enough credits for an AS (which was awarded to him BEFORE we graduated him from high school).

PM me if you want more details.

PurplePeach

GeekMom63: Well, technically, an SAT Subject Test score isn't precisely equivalent to grades from a series of exams, but I suppose it works. q:

Aside from that, I think I will take up on your PM offer, because you say your son is in Harvey Mudd College, which seems odd to me.

sbjdorlo

Similar to GeekMom but different-my son had only 52-55 units of community college classes. I gave him grades for all other classes; some were self-study but most were outside classes. I used letter grades rather than S.