**PART# 2** : Homeschoolers...do you get a diploma? **DIFFERENT QUESTION**?

Question

Okay I got my answer from Part #1 about the diploma bit, what I wanna know now is:

since your parents are most likely your teachers so they make a Transcript, what if some parents lie and make a transcript and say that their child/studnet has done a course even though they havent... say for example they say that their child has a credit in Gym, so when applying for college or Uni they see your transcript has Gym written on it, so what are they gonna test for in the placement test? ask you to run or something, LOL

but no I'm serious,

what if your transcript isnt 100% true

and since your home schooled, you make your own records and give your own marks anyways, what if a parent , on purpose, gives good marks or extra credits

how do the colleges/Uni know your transcript is legit, if your only witnesses are yourself and your parents?

Answer 1

Honestly, universities aren't going to give a rat's tail if you took gym or not. If the state requires it of homeschoolers, they've put some sort of portfolio check or something in place to make sure you met the requirement, but colleges aren't going to care unless you're trying for an athletic scholarship or something, and then you'll obviously have to be good at what you do to earn it.

Same with everything else. If you said you did perfectly in every math course up to Calculous or Trig, and you bomb the math SAT or ACT or other math placement test, OBVIOUSLY you wont be in good standing with that school. Same for reading and writing. Some of the more selective schools will want you to take the SAT II subject tests, or something similar to demonstrate ability in the core subject areas, and obviously if you don't do well, you most likely won't be on the top of that school's list of desireable students.

As for everything else (electives.. not core subjects), well if you didn't actually take the classes you said you took, or didn't do well in them but said you did, well it will show when you are taking your college level classes towards your major,a nd if you do poorly enough you won't be attending that school for very long.

Some universities will ask to see state standardized test scores, and some may ask to see a bibliography of materials used and/or samples of work. Not many, but some do.

The bottom line is this. If you fake it, it will show. If you're an idiot pretending to be a super genius, it will show in your application essay, it will show in your test scores, and it will show in your work. If it doesn't, well then you are obviously ready for college regardless. But if you're not, it WILL show.

Homeschoolers and their parents aren't just jumping through hoops, and they don't treat school like something they just have to get through or else. It's something they are actually dedicated to and even passionate about, something they feel is important and meaningful. THey are less likely to cheat than you would initially think because most homeschoolers are in it to gain a great education, not simply to get a piece of paper to wave around like a status symbol for the rest of their lives. They realize that cheating only hurts them and there is nothing to gain by it.

Answer 2

That is why most homeschoolers will have a portfolio on hand as well. It is hard to fake a portfolio.

Also, your SAT/ACT score should reflect the information on your transcript. If not, something is most likely up.

If you lie, you will quickly fail out of the school and the school gets to keep your money. They don't really care if you fail. Someone will be along shortly to replace you. They mostly care that you can pay.

Meanwhile, who gets rejected by a college because of a bad grade in gym?  That really isn't important academically. Honestly, if you skip all physical activities and games, you are only cheating yourself.



PS  I passed high school geometry in public school because I was best friends with the teacher's assistant. She badgered the teacher until he let me do an easy extra credit assignment. Stuff like that happens all the time. Think of all the cheating you've ever seen. I know I was aware of quite a bit in my day. Public school transcripts should be just as suspect as homeschool transcripts.

Answer 3

I guess they could ask for a detailed account or maybe paperwork to prove you have taken a course, but they don't have time for that.  They will mostly look at your ACT/SAT score, maybe sample writing, activities you were involved in, and how many spots are available in the department you want to pursue.  

However, if you cheat and get in, you will only have hurt yourself.  They might place you in a class that is above your level, you will have to drop/fail the class and take it again, and that involves more paperwork than you want to know about!

Answer 4

Well, they don't just go by the transcript.  They go by test scores (which can't be faked), recommendation letters, interviews, and portfolios.  Honestly, I know kids who skated through high school (I passed a few math and science classes by promising not to take them again the following year, lol) and got passing grades on their transcripts.  

Transcripts are one measurement tool for college, but they're kind of the first step inside the door.  They honestly don't determine which students get in and which don't - they're just used for weeding out the kids who haven't done the necessary prep to handle college work.  

Then, they go by test scores, essays, recommendations, extracurricular activities, and interviews.  If a student states that they've taken APUSH and can't name the main generals of the Civil War or the main people involved in the founding of our country, they'll know the transcript is bull.  If a student states that they've taken advanced writing courses but can't form a paragraph to save their lives, same thing.  If they state that they've gone through calc but can't get a minimum score on the math section of an entrance or placement test, well...you get the picture.

The vast majority of homeschoolers learn because they want to.  Parents have high expectations for their students - mine is required to redo any assignment below a 90% until he can show mastery - and the students live up to those expectations.  Homeschooling is a lifestyle of learning, and honestly, most homeschool kids I know would be completely mystified at *why* anyone would fake their grades.  Why not just learn the info in the first place?

Yes, I'm sure there are a few scattered homeschoolers out there that would fake a transcript; it comes back to bite them in the rear.  My goal in homeschooling my son is to prepare him for college and for life, and I take that seriously.  Rubber-stamping his work and handing out extra credit like candy is not going to do him any favors.  He honestly doesn't often realize that the work I require out of him is often at least a year or two above grade level, because that's what he's capable of and it's just a normal expectation for him.  He just jumps in, does the work, and doesn't think a thing of it.

Hope that helps!

Answer 5

The colleges take your knowledge on ACT/ SAT. Legit?? Parents have the right to school, most of the people teaching in public schools are parents. You know in the 1800's kids were allowed to skip school to help out at home. YOU FAIL IN PUBLIC SCHOOL IF YOU DON'T KNOW THE THINGS BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR. ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW IS THE THINGS ON THE ACT/SAT  TO    SUCCEED!!

Answer 6

I think the University is probably not too worried about where you place in gym.  And for the other classes they really depend more on the SAT or ACT tests.

Some will see the transcript as more questionable, but they can test you.  Some colleges will ask for SAT subject tests in subjects they consider very important.  They sometimes also ask for a portfolio, so they can see samples of your actual work.

The bottom line is that other than tests, there is really no way for a college to know that anyone's grades are *really* completely honest.  When I was in public school I never failed a single class, in fact I usually got at least a "C", but I made it to High School with 3rd grade math skills (I had to teach myself math a few years ahead of my oldest child in order to homeschool, I am still in Algebra now).

Some teachers inflate grades to make themselves look better, or because they think they are "being nice" to a student.  There have been cases on TV where teachers inflated grades so that star players could still make the ball team, there is no guarantee that a student obtained an education no matter where they went to school.  That is why colleges use the SAT, ACT or other placement test.

Answer 7

Your parents decide what to teach you not the state,in Texas. The state only tells you what subjects you have to learn they don't tello you to the extent you have to learn it. But you should want to learn as much as you can because it will benefit you alot more. Aparent has the right to chooe when you are ready to graduate because when you homeschool you are considered a private school. I hope you decide to go for the better education than the quicker education. Good luck!

Answer 8

It's true, some people *could* cheat. Nothing keeps them from doing it except the fact that if you get into college without that knowledge, you're pretty quickly screwed. Why would you waste $1000's of dollars like that?

And  you still need the ACT or SAT, which you probably could *not* pass without that knowledge.

Answer 9

The placement test is for Community Colleges.  It does not cover Gym.  And it wouldn't be a lie to put it on a transcript if you have ever done gym work.....

Colleges have a basic list of things that cover mainly reading, writing and math.  They don't really care if you can exercise...

Transcripts are not worth THAT much.  Of course it is best to be entirely honest about what you have accomplished.  Lying will only come back to bite you in the bum.  

The home-school students that I know that have gone to college go with high SAT scores --- which are a great reflection of what you are capable of doing.  The ACT scores mean quite a bit to them too.   Advanced Placement tests are very valuable to college entrants as are CLEP's.  

Math scores, writing ability and reading comprehension are the most important things to prove in getting into college.  If you can do these things with ease and clarity you will be able to prove yourself to the institution.

Telling lies on a transcript would be plain silly.

The many students that work with the same program as my children study for mastery.  They do every math lesson until it is 95-100% accurate.  They practice writing until they can pop out a clear convincing essay for every topic that they can think about.  They read from excellent books and absorb as much good information as possible over the course of 12-13 years.  They study vocabulary -- word usage and meaning -- in order to be able to understand every thing that they hear or read.  These things are the foundation and backbone of all learning.

It is important to KNOW your material.  Don't say you know it unless you really do know all of it.

If a parent is providing a transcript to a univ/college they must sign their name saying that it is legitimate.  If they lie then I feel bad for them and for the sad example that they are setting for the student.  The truth is always best.