Homeschooling is becoming a popular route for many concerned parents frustrated with the lack of quality public education and for those who wish to spend more time with their children. One of the concerns many parents considering the homeschool option have is college. These days, a college degree is almost a prerequisite for success in the real world. However, many parents do not realize that homeschooled children are not only able to attend college, but many colleges welcome and encourage homeschooled candidates. Homeschooling is a legitimate and viable alternative to a traditional public school education, and many colleges recognize homeschooling as a prerequisite for admission.
It is a popular misconception that a high school diploma is required for college enrollment. Most colleges, even many prestigious universities, do not require a high school diploma from a public or private school. Homeschoolers can gain admittance to college based on their individual level of education. Of course, many parents who homeschool regularly ensure that their children engage in the standardized testing required for publicly educated students. Such tests include the SAT and ACT examinations. Homeschooled students have an equal opportunity for college admission; perhaps they have an even greater advantage, as the quality of a homeschool education is often higher than that of public programs.
College admission requirements for homeschooled students vary from college to college. Some colleges will consider a portfolio of a homeschool student's work. This often includes a personal essay requesting admittance along with samples of the projects he or she has completed during the course of study. Select universities will consider admission based on SAT and ACT examination scores, personal recommendations, or completed courses from open-enrollment community colleges. Homeschooled students can also take the examination for a General Equivalency Diploma (GED), which is acceptable documentation for admission at many colleges and universities.
Parents who choose homeschooling as a method for providing a better education for their children can be rest assured that a college degree can be part of the child's future. Homeschooled children have demonstrated the ability to perform as well as or better than their public-educated peers on standardized tests and entry examinations. Colleges are becoming more and more accepting of homeschooled students, and there are many ways to bypass the issue of the high school diploma and enroll homeschool candidates at the college of their choice. As more parents opt to homeschool their children, more colleges and universities will recognize their legitimacy and open their doors to homeschooled students.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mimi Rothschild is a homeschooling parent, author, children's rights advocate, and Founder and C.E.O. of Learning by Grace, Inc. She and her husband of almost 3 decades reside with their 8 children in suburban Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Rothschild co-founded Learning By Grace, Inc. because "our current system of education has broken its promise..." Learning By Grace, Inc. delivers Internet-based multimedia education to PreK-12 children in the United States and throughout the world.
Rothschild has authored a number of books about education published by McGraw Hill and others. Her Daily Education News Blog contains feature stories on alternatives in education.