Home schooled students can access awesome opportunities for college admissions and scholarships. Families who have taken on the challenge to home school their children have already demonstrated a willingness to reach beyond the traditional in order to secure the best education for their child. You and your family have assumed a major responsibility, and you are succeeding. The next step is finding the right college for your child and then, securing all of the necessary financing to make your dreams real. You can do all of that without breaking the bank or mortgaging the house.
Here are some first steps:
• Students should pursue the most challenging classes that they can handle while in high school, at home, or in a traditional high school. Follow a college preparatory mathematics sequence. Start with algebra 1, then take geometry, algebra 2, followed by pre-calculus or calculus, and if you can do it, Advanced Placement Mathematics. (Some students may choose to take algebra 2 after algebra 1 and then, take geometry.) Most high schools will only require three years of mathematics to fulfill graduation requirements. You, of course, will have more to offer than that.
• In each of the other academic disciplines– history, science, English-continue to pursue the most challenging courses that you can find. Certain United States history and government courses will be required by your state, but you should select other advanced history courses. The same is true for science and English.
• During junior and senior year, find out if your school district has a relationship with the local colleges that permits high school students to take courses on campus free. If they don’t, and you have been doing well in your courses, check with the local colleges to find out if they will allow you to take courses there tuition free. They will usually allow you to enroll in one or two courses. Rarely more than that, but that may be all that you need. Successful completion of college courses, will demonstrate your ability to handle college level work in the future.
• Frequently, PSAT scores determine admission to pre-college programs. Since you take that test in October of the junior year, you may be in line for some college courses during the second semester of the junior year if you are one of the high scorers. If you also take some college courses during the summer as well as during the senior year, you can see how college credits could accumulate.
• Take advantage of your more flexible schedule and get involved in youth education programs at the local museums, art galleries, theaters, and orchestras. Give your extra-curricular activities real meaning by participating in some of these groups. Playing in your town’s youth orchestra or acting in the local theater group showcases your talent and your initiative.
• Your flexible schedule will also permit interesting service projects. You will be able to volunteer at times that other students are in school or develop your own service project. Your project can be much more comprehensive than your high school peers because you are creating it and because your schedule is so flexible. Service projects will be very important to your college admissions success because admissions officers will want to know how you use your free time and how involved you are in your community. It demonstrates how involved you might be in their college should you be admitted. You have a lot to give so, let your light shine.
For more information go to http://www.achievementworks.com
Carolyn Croom Baker, a National Certified Counselor, is a college placement consultant with over twenty years of experience guiding over 5,000 students into college. She has taught college placement theory and practice to university graduate students, coordinated college readiness programs, and she is a frequent presenter on college placement, service, and student leadership. Her recent book, Preparing for College Admissions: The Ultimate Guide for Parents and Students, clarifies and demystifies the unknown components of the college admissions process and leaves you with a quiet sense of well being, knowing that you have done the best for your future. Preparing for College Admissions shows parents and students, in simple steps, how to organize the process, how to select the college that is the best match, and where to find the money to pay for a great education.
The author can also be reached at info@achievementworks.com
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