Homeschooled College Applicants on the Rise
by Bruce Hammond

As their numbers continue to surge, homeschooled students are receiving more respect at the nation's colleges and universities. Once viewed as a tiny fringe group, these applicants are the focus of increasing attention within the admissions profession.

The newsletter of the National Association for College Admission Counseling devoted the front page of its February, 1997 issue to the increase in homeschooled applicants. The article noted that such students perform above the national average on standardized tests and described homeschooled students as "often better socialized and more mature than students in public schools."

Though the homeschooling movement has existed for many years, significant numbers of these students have reached college-age only in the past several years. The number of homeschooled applicants "used to be almost negligible," said Philip Caffrey, Associate Director of Admissions at Iowa State University. "It's only in the last couple of years that we've had more than half a dozen."

Homeschooling first drew attention among highly selective colleges in the mid-1980s when a California family enrolled three home-schooled students at Harvard University. Today, Harvard receives approximately 30 applications per year from homeschooled applicants out of 18,000 in the applicant pool.

In 1996, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) produced new guidelines designed to allow home-schooled athletes to compete in Division I & II athletics. In addition to a combined score of 1,110 on the SAT I, students must provide proof that they took at least 13 courses that meet the association's core-course requirement. (Students with scores below the SAT cut-off are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.)

Homeschooled applicants should take the initiative to explain their circumstances. Being different is often an advantage in college admissions because most schools attempt to assemble a class with the widest possible range of backgrounds and experiences. Any student who can speak convincingly about his or her history is sure to impress an admissions officer.

Keys to Success for Homeschooled Applicants

1) Strive for a balanced curriculum. Colleges will probe for areas of weakness, especially in math and foreign language. Many colleges have graduation requirements in one or both of these areas.

2) Create a portfolio. Students should assemble examples of their best work across the widest possible range of subjects. A portfolio will allow admissions officers to see the quality of the applicant's work rather than grades or course descriptions.

3) Attend a residential summer program at a college. Such programs provide a nice introduction to college life and proof that a home-schooled student can function well in a conventional classroom. As an alternative, students might consider enrolling classes at a local college during the academic year.

4) Prepare diligently for standardized tests. In the absence of a conventional academic record, SAT scores become more significant. Consider taking the SAT II Subject Tests and the ACT for additional opportunities to score high.

5) Schedule a campus interview. Not all colleges routinely offer campus interviews. But I recommend that home-schooled applicants make every effort to get one. If the secretary who answers the phone does not seem receptive, ask to speak to an admissions counselor. If you call far enough in advance, most colleges will accommodate.

6) Let the student take center stage. After playing the role of parent and teacher for so many years, some homeschooling parents have a difficult time letting go. A relationship that seems overly dependent will set off alarm bells in the admissions office. Each applicant must step forward and make the case for him -- or herself.

Homeschool parents and students should be prepared for wide variation in how their credentials are reviewed. At some institutions, including many state universities, bureaucratic barriers must still be overcome. Homeschooled or not, students should hedge their bets by applying to at least several institutions. Success in college admissions comes to those who keep an open mind and explore a variety of options.