As a homeschooler I have to take a GED??

Question

I am a homeschooled senior from New Mexico, starting to get geared up for college. I was appling for the New Mexico Lottery scholarship. I am going to graduate with all my credits, my GPA is 3.85, and I have taken the ACT and got a 23. But since I am homeschooled I HAVE to get a GED to apply for the scholarship. Is this normal? For a homeschooler to take all these tests just to prove they're not stupid. Shouldn't the ACT and my GPA be enough?

Answer 1

I am surprised that your ACT score isn't enough, but the requirements for this scholarship include:

"-  Must have graduated from a New Mexico public high school, an accredited private high school recognized by the Public Education Department, or have obtained a New Mexico GED"

A GED is not required to attend a New Mexico college or even for most kinds of financial aid, but it is required for this scholarship.

Answer 2

If what Larry quoted is true, then your "homeschool" is a private school, and as long as you followed the NM HS'ing regulations, then you're fine.  The GED is for the kids who dropped out of high school and are now trying to get into college.

Since their info page (http://www.nmlottery.com/scholarships.ht... doesn't say anything about HS'ers, and there is no application, then contact them about HS'ers status.  I *highly* doubt you'll need to take the GED.  That's not what I read into their info.  I think it's just an omission that they didn't put homeschool in there.

You should have a transcript of your high school courses, plus a portfolio, in addition to your test scores, for college applications.  If they want to see that, just send them copies.

Answer 3

It's absolutely normal, and is not a negative thing.  The GED is an equivilancy test for a high school diploma, so it will show that you have learned what you need to know, and will not have a negative impact on your high scholastic record.  A high GPA doesn't exactly mean much, because grades and knowledge don't always go hand in hand, and it's an average, so it may reflect a really high understanding of English, but you could completely bomb any and all maths, and still have a relatively high GPA.

In traditional schools, kids have to take standardized tests all through their education (some starting in first grade), not to prove that they are not stupid, but to prove the school is up to standards (few are), they have to pass standardized tests to graduate, they have to pass courses and have all their credits to graduate, and to go on to higher education, they have to take the SAT and/or ACT.  You think YOU are having to "take all these tests"?  You're getting off a lot lighter than kids in public schools.

  

Having to get a GED is not to prove you aren't stupid, it's because there are a LOT of people who would say they "homeschool" when they really have just dropped out, with their parents' blessings.  (trust me, my ex's brother did this).

BTW, there are some homeschool studies that offer actual high school diplomas.  My ex-husband homeschooled, and got a high school diploma from Gateway Christian high school.  Google and see if there is something like that you could do, though it may be late for it.

Answer 4

The test is not to prove you're not stupid.  It's to validate the other results and ensure you have complete knowledge of the full curriculum.

Answer 5

Unfortunately, this scholarship is looking at your GPA and saying, "Your *mother* gave you those grades.  How do we know they're legit?"  My son also had to take the GED to get into college.  (We had graduated him early and the college questioned his readiness to go on.)  He scored so high on the GED that they offered him additional money for school.  And, for the responder who noted that GED = drop out, once you've earned a college degree from a good university who asks?  My son's GED has not hindered him since he has a bachelor's degree from Johns Hopkins University.  I think it's something about if you got accepted there and graduated with honors, we don't care about your high school career.

Good luck to you!  Sorry they've given you one more hoop to jump through, but it'll be an easy one.

Answer 6

It should be enough.  If there is anyway you can avoid taking the GED, do so.  GED = dropout.  If you must, then you must.  I agree with you - it's not fair.

Congrats on your great GPA, btw.  Good job!

Answer 7

No you don't. Who told you that? You did CHOOSE to apply for a certain scholarship, maybe that's the rule, but I would contact a homeschooling group and ask for the facts rather than trusting a bureaucrat from the committee.

Most universities accept just the ACT and a transcript. Many scholarships don't require a GED test. GED says dropout to many universities, they'd rather have a homeschooled transcript, so that you show that you've done four years rather than just quit halfway through.

Answer 8

If that is what they require for that Scholarship then yes, you do. There are thousands of other scholarships out there that probably don't need a GED or High School Diploma, pick one of them, and don't worry about it.

They won't change the requirements for one student.

Answer 9

It depends on the curriculum you did at home. Some offer highschool diplomas and some don't. Do some research and see what you can come up with I would try hard not to take the GED.

Answer 10

I think your GPA is great as well as your ACT score... You could take the GED (which you will pass with flying colors) just for this scholarship...but not list it on other applications... I agree GED usually is associated with dropout