Course Descriptions for Homeschoolers

rhiannaps
Sat, 05 Dec 2015 03:50:01 +0000

I’m also homeschooled and in my case, I decided to submit this information to all of my top colleges. When visiting each school, I always ask to speak with an admissions counselor about the admissions process for a homeschooler (they’re usually readily available, and it’s the perfect time to present your case). I ended up speaking to one at each school I’ve visited (around 10 I think?) and they all basically said the same thing - “while we don’t necessarily require this material, it would be very helpful to us in evaluating your application.”

Since my high school career has been so abnormal, I ended up putting together small binders with just enough information - but not an obnoxious amount - and mailing them to the admissions offices at my top choice schools (and one safety school that explicitly said “we require that stuff”). I’m not sure where you’re from, but in New York, I’m required to follow a strict set of home-school laws. Those basically say that I have to follow a certain curriculum, and all of my progress has to be submitted quarterly to the school district (by a parent). In addition, my parent is required to create an Individualized Home Instruction Plan (IHIP) each year - basically covering all of the coursework we have planned for the following year, and how we plan to meet the curriculum requirements. We submit one of these at the start of each school year.

From all of those documents, I decided to include the 4th quarterly report from each school year as well as the IHIP from each school year inside of the binders. I also created a list of all of the books I used, course descriptions, information on why I decided to homeschool, my yearly test scores (required in NY), and how I compare to students in my area attending public school.

While some of this is just going to be the icing on the cake for the schools that don’t require it, I think it’s worth the effort. I carried a sample of the binder (which I aptly named my “Academic Portfolio”) with me when I visited two of my top choice schools - Northeastern and Simmons. I showed it to the admissions counselors at each school and both were VERY impressed, especially at Northeastern.

So basically, while it may not be required, I think you should go that extra mile to really come off as an organized, smart, motivated person. While I don’t have any acceptances to show for it (just started applying last week), I think it’s definitely going to help with admissions. Good luck, and if you have any questions I’d be happy to talk! It’s not too often you meet another college-bound homeschooler