Colleges that Admit Homeschoolers FAQ Wondering which colleges admit homeschoolers? The list is growing every day. This compilation by Learn in Freedom lists more than 1,000 schools of higher education with links to over 980 college Web sites.

The College Board The College Board is a not-for-profit membership association whose mission is to connect students to college success and opportunity. Founded in 1900, the association is composed of more than 4,700 schools, colleges, universities, and other educational organizations. Each year, the College Board serves over three and a half million students and their parents, 23,000 high schools, and 3,500 colleges through major programs and services in college admissions, guidance, assessment, financial aid, enrollment, and teaching and learning. Among its best-known programs are the SAT, the PSAT/NMSQT®, and the Advanced Placement Program®(AP).

The Homeschooler's Guide to College Small website with information about high education issues for the homeschooled student, including scholarships and other financial aid. Although there is not an abundance of information here, some of it may be helpful to those beginning their search for information on colleges and universities.

The Princeton Review Search for schools and careers, find test preparation courses, get information on scholarships, and more.

Articles

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Admissions Decision-Making Models: How U.S. Institutions of Higher Education Select Undergraduate Students This report examines how institutions make admissions decisions. Information from more than 100 institutions, representing all levels of selectivity, forms the basis for this report. Alternatives for 18-Year Old Homeschoolers Larry and Susan Kaseman Increasing numbers of homeschoolers (and conventionally-schooled young people) are choosing alternative ways of living and learning after they reach age 18. They are moving beyond the widespread assumption that high school graduates should either go to college, get a full-time job and live on their own, or join the military. Instead, many homeschoolers choose to build on and expand what they have been doing: learning through life experience; pursuing their passions; interacting with people of many different ages; and doing real work that contributes to their own growth and development and strengthens them, their families, and their communities. College Admissions and the Homeschooling Challenge One of the key terms in American higher education today is seamlessness—the ability of students to move into and through the postsecondary system with a minimal amount of disruption. At the same time, the number of paths into that system are increasing, and some of the less-traveled paths are growing in popularity, especially homeschooling. The convergence of these phenomena provides tremendous opportunities for innovation and reform, but also significant potential for conflict. Nowhere is this clearer than in the area of admissions policy for applicants from non-public, non-traditional schools. As a growing number of students and their families choose alternative secondary school settings, college and university administrators—as well as policymakers and courts—are facing difficult questions about the degree to which higher education institutions are prepared to account for these students in their admissions processes. Home-Schooled Students & Admission: Your Child's Unique Approach to the Process CollegeBoard.com Each college evaluates home-schooled applicants differently. Some colleges admit many home schoolers. Others have yet to admit one. Either way, your child needs to take extra admission steps. Homeschooling Comes of Age Jennifer Sutton A fascinating and positive look at some of Brown University alumni who were homeschooled as children. Teaching children at home is no longer just the choice of religious and political iconoclasts. Now, drawn by Brown’s tradition of independence and self-direction, a new generation of homeschoolers is arriving—and thriving—on campus. How Do Home School Graduates Enter the Military? HSLDA Article includes anecdotes and information about joining the military without a high school diploma. Looking Ahead to College Maggie Hogan This article includes some great tips for organizing for a college search. Includes information on how colleges assess homeschoolers, widely used exams for college acceptance and/or credit, and more. Recognizing Home School Diplomas for College Admittance and Financial Aid HSLDA Colleges and universities frequently ask two questions about home schoolers: (1) Are home schoolers eligible for financial aid without obtaining a GED or passing an ability-to-benefit test? and (2) Can a university admit a student with a home school high school diploma who is under the age of compulsory attendance and still retain its eligibility for federal funding? The answer to both questions is “Yes.” This analysis of the Higher Education Act Amendments of 1998 explains what post-secondary schools could require of home school applicants and how homeschooled students are eligible for financial aid. The Door is Open Earl Gary Stevens As children grow into their teens, some families worry that continuing with home education might be closing the door to college. They wonder if independent learning is more suitable for little kids than for teenagers and perhaps not very practical as a prelude to college admission. While college may not be the best choice for every person, none of us wants to eliminate the option for our children. There exists a myth that the only way for a young person to be accepted into college is through building a record for compliant behavior in a secondary educational institution. Transition to the World of Work Cafi Cohen As homeschooling parents, we hope our kids will progress naturally from homeschooling into the world of work. We envision our children developing consuming passions and eventually using their talents to make a living. For some kids, the path is obvious. The teenager who lived and breathed cars and motors volunteers at an auto repair shop, eases into a paying position, and in due time starts his own auto repair business. Or he enlists in the military, learns jet engine repair and maintenance, and eventually goes to work for a major airline. Kids like this just follow their noses, and everything turns out pretty well. Others, even as teenagers, never seem to develop an interest which translates readily into a paying job or progresses to a career. Often these kids are good students. Many boast an impressive roster of extra-curricular activities. Some of them say, "Everything looks interesting. How can I narrow down my choices?" These kids need extra help to make the transition from home to the world of work.

Financial Aid

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Federal Student Aid (FSA) The U.S. Department of Education's Federal Student Aid (FSA) programs are the largest source of student aid in America, providing nearly 70% of all student financial aid. Help is available to make education beyond high school financially possible for you or your child. The information provided here is designed to assist you in your college planning. It provides you with access to and information about the products and services that you will need throughout the financial aid process. FSA is financial help for students enrolled in eligible programs at participating schools to cover school (a four-year or two-year public or private educational institution, a career school or trade school) expenses, including tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and transportation. Most federal aid is need based. The three most common types of aid are grants, loans, and work-study.

State College & Universities

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Universities.com Universities.com has organized the most extensive collection of Post-Secondary distance learning and on-campus colleges and universities.

Community Colleges

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American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) Founded in 1920, the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) has, over four decades, become the leading proponent and the national “voice for community colleges.” Today, AACC’s membership represents close to 95 percent of all accredited U.S. two-year community, junior and technical colleges and their 10.5 million students, as well as a growing number of international members in Puerto Rico, Japan, Great Britain, Korea, and the United Arab Emirates. The colleges are the largest and fastest-growing sector of U.S. higher education, enrolling close to half (45 percent) of all U.S. undergraduates. AACC supports and promotes its member colleges through policy initiatives, innovative programs, research and information and strategic outreach to business and industry and the national news media.

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The college admissions process is a stressful one but the good news for homeschooling students (and their parents) is that the procedure has recently become easier and simpler.

Historically, homeschoolers have struggled in the battle to get an equal footing in the admissions process. Changes to the Higher Education Act in 1998 made it easier for homeschoolers to enter college, yet the guidelines issued by the federal government made it unclear to universities how their eligibility to receive federal funds would be affected by admitting homeschoolers. Few colleges updated their admissions policies because of the ambiguity.

In November of 2003, the U.S. Department of Education sent an official letter to all universities, which stated that the admission of homeschooled students to college would not jeopardize federal assistance. The letter also clarified the position on compulsory age and self-certification of completion of secondary education.

In the two years since, higher education institutions have updated their admissions policies and made them much more inviting for homeschoolers. Today, a majority of colleges in America evaluate homeschooled applicants using the same requirements as those for traditionally schooled students.

A sampling of three major universities across North America shows a consistent welcome environment for homeschooling students. Harvard University, Purdue University, and the University of Texas are all homeschooler friendly and impart some good advice for anyone interested in attending their school.

Marlyn McGrath Lewis, Director of Admissions for Harvard College says "We receive a good number of candidates every year with all or part of their education from a homeschool background. Homeschooling is broader than some people realize. We are looking for the strongest candidates in the world and we find some of those among homeschoolers."

Harvard University uses the same requirements for homeschoolers and traditional students. Harvard requires applicants to submit the results of either the SAT I or ACT standardized test and the results of three SAT II Subject Tests, which applicants may take in different subjects to demonstrate a mixture of academic interests.

"There is no single academic path we expect all students to follow," according to their Web site, "but the strongest applicants take the most rigorous secondary school curricula available to them. An ideal four-year preparatory program includes four years of English, with extensive practice in writing; four years of math; four years of science: biology, chemistry, physics, and an advanced course in one of these subjects; three years of history, including American and European history; and four years of one foreign language."

Traditional applicants can supply a letter from a teacher who knows them well and who has taught him or her in academic subjects (preferably in the final two years of secondary school.) However, McGrath Lewis says, "While we can make careful evaluations with required recommendations, we are happy to read helpful letters from people directly familiar with applicants' lives outside the classroom. Such letters are not necessary, however, and it is generally advisable to submit no more than two or three."

In addition to academic standing, Harvard is looking for well-rounded individuals who have participated in personal development outside the institution.

McGrath Lewis offers this advice: "Follow the passions you have and develop them. We are looking for non-academic criteria – maturity, social facility, and non-academic talents, which is the same range as for traditional students."

"It is not harder or easier for homeschoolers to get in. It is difficult for anyone to get in."

Mitch Warren, Senior Associate at the Director Office of Admissions at Purdue University confirms that his school is also welcoming to homeschoolers.

"Admissions for homeschoolers is handled exactly the same as for traditionally schooled students," says Warren. According to Purdue’s Web site, admission is based on academic quality, including the strength of your academic program, trends in academic achievement, and test scores (SAT or ACT.) Other criteria include subject grades, rank in class, and grades in relevant courses.

"We will look at your preparation in core courses related to your intended field of study," says Jo Anne Brown, also a Senior Associate Director at the Office of Admissions at Purdue. "For example, for nursing students we look at English and lab science classes, for engineering students it’s math and science."

One question that homeschoolers frequently ask is whether they will be hurt by not having a class rank. According to Warren, the answer is no. "Some students come from large schools but others come from very small traditional schools and some traditional schools do not issue a class rank either," he says. "The class rank is only one criterion."

Brown cautions though that, "If you are missing some of the criteria used in selection (such as class rank) it puts more emphasis on the other factors, such as standardized test scores in addition to the other criteria."

Purdue does not require letters of recommendation but both Warren and Brown note that letters from a supervisor from a part time job, or religious leader are as welcome as a letter from a teacher in a traditional school.

"I would give homeschoolers the same advice as other applicants," says Brown. "Be involved in outside activities, either in the community, or in connection with a school. Have strong academic credentials and take the SAT or ACT twice, first in the spring of your junior year, and again in the fall of your senior year. Purdue uses the better score on the tests -- whatever helps the applicant the most."

"Apply early and visit the campus," continues Brown. "Use our Website to get as much information as possible about the university and make contact with somebody at the institution. Pay attention to deadlines for housing, financial aid, and scholarships and follow through."

Warren also has some advice. "I would suggest to anyone looking at larger institutions that is coming from a small setting, including homeschoolers, to visit the campus to make sure a larger setting is comfortable for them."

Kedra Ishop, Associate Director of Admissions at the University of Texas says "We certainly do accept homeschoolers.  We have a growing number of homeschool applicants and those that choose to apply to our institution generally fare well in our process."

Homeschoolers do not have any additional requirements from traditionally schooled students.  As a matter of law, public colleges and universities in Texas can not require more of students from non-accredited high school backgrounds than they do of students from traditional schools.

"I recommend that homeschoolers give us a complete picture of who they are," says Ishop. "Because they’re out-of-school activities are sometimes non-traditional or are so much engrained in their schooling, I find that those that apply to us sometimes short change themselves by not giving us all of their activities, honors, awards, hobbies, etc.  This is an integral part of our application process."

"I also encourage home school students to submit any and all academic credentials that they can get or have.  We don't require any additional testing or credentials other than our standard requirements, but UT Austin admissions is a very competitive environment.  The more robust their academic credentials, the more strongly they can compete."

Ishop continues. "Admission to the University is competitive. To help us make informed decisions, we consider a number of factors that help us to get an accurate view of your educational progress and academic abilities. Since you won't be able to submit a class rank (one of the University's major admissions factors), the Office of Admissions will look at other indicators of your academic competitiveness. Some indicators are SAT I (or ACT) and SAT II scores; the curriculum used in the homeschool environment; awards and honors you may have won in competition with traditionally schooled students; grades you earned in college courses taken in conjunction with home schooling; and other indicators that might be available to you. "

"To help us make a decision about your admission, the Office of Admissions will review your file looking for evidence that you excelled both academically and personally. That's why it's critical for you to include as much information as possible to help us place you properly within the applicant pool. Include information about what and how you studied, how you enhanced your learning experiences, and the activities that you participated in during your high school years. Reviewing the list of factors we consider for all applicants may help you to determine what relevant information to include as part of your application."

Requirements for admission vary by institution but common requests may include a high school diploma, a parent’s transcript, or GED, class rank, SAT, ACT or SAT II test scores, portfolio review, written essays, interviews, and/or entrance examinations.

Most colleges accept equivalent documentation for items not available to the homeschooled student (such as a letter from a teacher) or place more emphasis on other criteria when one is missing (such as class rank.)

Your best approach is to check with the admissions office to determine the specific requirements of any schools you are interested in and to be sure they do accept homeschoolers. The good news is the answer will generally be yes.