Hische

What would the procedures be for applying as a homeschooled international student? I'm having trouble filling in the common application/homeschool/international supplement because some of questions aren't applicable to me. If there are sections that can't be filled, do I leave it blank? And if I am a non-US citizen and homeschooled outside of the US, do I fill the homeschooled + international supplement or is it optional/either/or.

GeekMom63

Sorry, I have no clue. I'd call a couple colleges you're interested in applying to and ask for their opinions.

Hische

Thanks for replying, I'll try and contact the colleges for guidance on the matter.

I also have a question that's more homeschooler-specific that you or someone here could might be able to help with regarding the common application.

Education
If my mom is enlisted as counselor, should the Counselor's Title field be filled with 'Counselor' or my mom's real job title.

Academics
Grades:
It asks for graduating class size, cumulative GPA, GPA scale and GPA weighting - most of which aren't applicable to homeschoolers (or as an international student for the matter because GPA calculations are mostly a North American thing). Do I just skip the grades part altogether?

Current year courses:
Should I fill in the subjects I study? I don't take any open exams and it says list courses for AP, IB, advanced, 100-level, 200-level, etc. Will I have a chance to fill in subjects I'm studying in a narrative-style curriculum later on?

Writing
Should a homeschooled student attach something to the 'additional information' section like a curriculum/book list or should that go in the homeschool supplement?

GeekMom63

Education - I think I put "homeschool counselor" but maybe just counselor.

Academics / Grades - At least a few years ago, there was a way to say N/A (not applicable). If there isn't, just leave them blank or type "N/A" if you can.

Academics / Current year - Just fill in the courses you're studying, because what other options are there? We didn't do the narrative-style anywhere because my son took a bunch of Community College courses, so I can't help you there.

Writing - I'd put it in the homeschool supplement, freeing the "additional information" for you to sell yourself further.

Hische

Thanks for the information! It's extremely helpful.

What does a homeschooler, or anyone for that matter, typically enter in the additional information section? A resume, an essay introducing yourself or a personal statement? What type of format should it be in?

Also, for academics, is it necessary for the courses to be externally validated (e.g. by a school body or internationally-recognized examination)? I did not follow a traditional school-y type of education, preferring to build a curriculum around my own interests (similar to unschooling but more academically rigorous). Will my explaining my own curriculum and what I've learned be watered down by lack of external validation? The only exam I'd be taking is the SAT reasoning test and that's for proving learning aptitude. I know people suggest homeschoolers take SAT subject tests but then I'd have to prep for the exams by cramming a curriculum that I do not adhere to and that does not seem valuable for anything asides from proving my cramming-prowess.

sbjdorlo

OP,

My son wrote an extra essay in the additional information.

Again, I would encourage you to contact schools and ask your questions of the admissions offices. Introduce yourself, explain your situation, ask your questions, and get yourself on their map, so to speak. :-)

GeekMom63

My son also wrote an additional essay. It wasn't related to homeschooling, just to one of his activities.

External validation is always necessary in some form. Maybe letters of recommendation from adults you've worked with? And just because you didn't do the traditional courses doesn't mean you didn't do something traditional - maybe take the subject tests for one or two of those subjects where your studies overlapped with the traditional?

Read posts by danas - I think her children followed a similar path and they did very well.

xoxoviviannnn

I'm homeschooled abroad and wrt to admin and stuff, it's not really a problem. I assume you're not a US citizen so you just fill out the international supplement. And of course, the homeschool supplement, and normally you can use that to fill out your rationale and a simple description of the kind of homeschooling you used.

Narrative transcripts are okay, but cause they tend to be longer, make sure they're organised! You can always give your classes names and compile that into a master transcript, then send in the narrative to explain each class. GPA isn't technically necessary, but I do know that many schools (in particular, public ones) do require you to have a grade in all the courses, more a formality than anything.

You mentioned a booklist. I'd submit that attached with the narrative transcript, leave the additional info for something nonacademic to sell yourself, like geekmom said!

I suppose at a less competitive school, just having a transcript and SAT scores would be okay for admission, but some of the top tier schools require SAT subject tests from all applicants, and there are others that require SAT subject tests from all homeschoolers. AP exams are probably not available to you overseas, I've had the same problem too, so I took lots of subject tests. It works for me cause my curriculum covers the stuff tested and I never re-studied for the tests.

Most schools require that when you apply you must have taken courses in english, math, science etc. Even if you're an unschooler, you must have covered this curriculum, yeah? It'll probably overlap to some extent. Especially if you speak another language apart from English, maybe a native language for you, you should take the subject test for it! No need to study if it's native for you

As to your belief that taking SAT subject tests is pointless, I'd disagree with you on this. If the tests you're taking is related to your major, you'd find the knowledge pretty valuable. You don't need to cram for it, really. As long as you've been studying pretty rigorously, you'll do fine!

Best of luck!