Homeschooled and confused about college...?

Question

Here's my situation. Freshmen, sophomore, and the first half of junior year I went to my public highschool. I pushed myself incredibly hard in school. I took all honors courses, made straight A's and did a lot of extracurriculars, but it was taking a lot out of me. Because I was studying all the time and doing so many activities I was only getting an average of 3 hours of sleep a night, and I was getting stomach ulcers so my mom pulled me out of school cause she was getting worried.

I was supposed to do homeschool the second half of junior year, but I really just needed a break. I didn't really get a lot of schoolwork done. I just took a placement test at my local community college and scored very well so all my classes for my senior year will be college courses that I will be taking through there.

Ok I just ran out of room. My question will be in the additional details.

Answer 1

Hey Hazel Eyes,

First, it sounds like you worked really hard in high school.  Clearly that will stand out to a ton of admission offices.

Second, you are not really a "home schooled" student.  It sounds like you took a semester off and now plan enrolled at a community college.  Is that accurate?  If so. . .

1. Find out the process for transferring to a four-year university from your community college.  If the college you are attending this year does not have a counselor or a resource center, go back to your high school and ask for assistance.

2. Get a copy of your high school transcript, the one they send to colleges for your own records.

3. Find out if the college courses you plan to take this year will count toward your high school diploma?  Why is this important?  Well. . . every college and university treats community college credit differently.  At some Ivy League-type schools, community college or university courses taken to fulfill high school diploma requirements cannot be "double counted" so you are not actually earning college credit (unless you take an IB or AP exams and score high!).  Others will accept and "double" count those courses.  It depends on the institution.

Finally, I wanted to say something as I think about your being stressed out in junior year of high school.  If you feel like you need more time off prior to heading to a 4-year college or university, there are a ton of "gap year" programs out there that allow you to explore your interests.  You could even consider City Year or similar programs.  Consider an "experience" that will help put the world of academics into proper prospective.  :-)

Best of luck!

- Al R.

PS.  Like Mom+5 suggested, you should take either the SAT or the ACT.

Answer 2

If you had such an incredible GPA for junior year and have some community college classes under your belt, you shouldn't have a problem getting in to college.

When you apply, briefly explain your situation. Colleges want to accept people; let them know why they should take you.

Answer 3

You'll have enough high school credits (use the Sr yr CC ones as dual credit) *and* CC credits, that it's not going to matter for university admissions.

What you can do to sort of "hide" the junior year (and I don't doubt you needed some "deschooling"!), is to *not* format your transcript by grade name year (freshman, etc), but in a progressive manner, such as 2004:  Algebra I - A - 4 credits, etc.  Or better yet, don't even list a year, just group each subject like:  Algebra I - A - 4 credits; Geometry - A - 4 credits, etc.

I wish you the best and you have a great GPA!

You *do* want to take the SAT and ACT soon (you can do so more than once) so you get a score for your college apps.  Those scores, your transcript, and a portfolio, are the main things you need to get into a 4-yr school.  Don't worry so much about what years you took when.  *Many* homeschoolers graduate early and skip their senior year, or even junior also, and go to college early.