How are homeschool applicants evaluated? How much do AOs rely on course descriptions and grades, especially if given by a parent, or other close family member? Are homeschooled students at a disadvantage in selective school admissions?
@Mwfan1921, with regards to homeschooled applicants, it is really important to have detailed course descriptions and letters of recommendation that do not come from a parent/family member. I noticed that it was helpful if students took courses at local community colleges. It was also important for homeschooled applicants to take more standardized tests that show mastery in subject areas. The AP exam and SAT Subject tests are useful for that purpose. Homeschooled students who can show that their education is competitive with what their local public high school has to offer were considered for admission.
@Gatormama, it truly depends. Here are some factors to consider before making a final decision. Usually, guidance counselors tend to lose touch with students after they graduate. If your son decides to graduate early, it would be wise for him to communicate with a guidance counselor before leaving and schedule a few meeting to review resume, college essay topics, and important things to recall for the guidance counselor letter. In addition, most colleges want to see grades and receive letters of recommendations from teachers who taught rigorous college level courses. If your son will have that by the end of junior year, that’s great.
While most elite colleges offer need based grants, but they might accept merit based aid from outside third-party organizations. Those scholarships require that you are still a high school student at the time you apply. If your son does choose to graduate early, it might be an advantage to show that the gap year has been productive. Colleges will wonder why he took that unconventional path so it would be wise to plan ahead and have a goal for the gap year.
@“Gaelle Pierre-Louis”, thanks but nowhere did I say anything about a gap year. He wants to go directly to college. I’m asking about his chances for merit scholarships, given that he would have a year less “finishing” than other applicants.
@“Gaelle Pierre-Louis”, how much of a disadvantage will I be put at if I have strong senior year grades but lower cumulative gpa due to personal learning issues in the past few years?
I’m helping my nephew through his application process and he’s writing his personal essay about an anecdote from his youth that helps to illustrate a couple of core traits about him (willpower, organization, strategy) and he makes a link to how he’s adapted these now that he is older (but doesn’t spend much time on older part).
He’s not writing about why he’s going to college, what he’s planning to study, why he did certain courses or ECs.
I have no idea what to advise him so for now I said for him to trust his gut if that’s what he wants to write about, but I hope I’m not steering him in the wrong direction.