I don’t necessarily disagree with you, because I don’t have data to back up my argument, but I think your view is too “pessimistic” for homeschoolers.
Who/what authority approves the course provider? Is there a list of approved providers somewhere?
This is true. But it is also true for applicants from “traditional” highschools, not just for homeschoolers.
I talked to several people at UCB, and I realized that applications from homeschoolers were evaluated differently. But I didn’t get the feeling that being homeschooled was a disadvantage. I also have a feeling that “guaranteed admission” is a thing in the past.