College Preparation Hacks for Homeschoolers

Are you ready to head off to college after being homeschooled for the first 12 years of your education? The challenge for those who attended non-traditional programs and are now applying for admission to college can be significant. There are no school counselors to help when homeschooling gets hard, give college preparation hacks for homeschoolers, to search for scholarships, or assist with evaluating the best universities. The first challenge is figuring out how to finance a four-year degree.

After that, those who were homeschooled need to choose the program that best suits their goals and academic skills. Additionally, there are standardized tests to take, live interviews with admissions officers, and the decision about whether to earn an online diploma. The situation can seem overwhelming. The good news is that a few college prep hacks can come in very handy. Here are pertinent details to help you get started. 

College Preparation Hacks for Homeschoolers

Getting and Financing a Degree

The good news is that it’s possible to cover some or all of your education expenses by taking out a student loan. The application process is quick and painless and is entirely online. Try to have a general idea of how much you’ll need to borrow before filling out applications for loans. That means knowing whether your parents are providing any help and if you’ll be applying for scholarships and grants.

Avoid the temptation to work full-time or part-time while working for a diploma. It’s usually wiser to borrow what you need and focus on earning good grades. That way, there’ll be enough time to study and take part in at least one extracurricular activity.

Choosing the Right College

Depending on what you intend to pursue in terms of a career and major field of study, take time to select an institution that matches your interests and offers the kinds of courses that are the best fit for your job goals. Don’t avoid online programs, some of which can be much less costly than traditional colleges and universities. Once you develop a shortlist of schools, make an effort to visit each campus and meet with a staff member.

Acing the Live Interview

There’s no secret or trick for getting ready for live interviews with admissions officers. The surefire way is to practice with either an academic counselor or an adult who is experienced in college admissions processes. Do at least three practice sessions, making sure to review the common questions about why you want to attend that particular institution, whether you’re academically ready, and what you plan to major in.

Evaluating Online Programs

After doing grade school and high school in a home-based, non-traditional situation, online college can be an easy transition. Ironically, youngsters who attend traditional academic programs often find it quite difficult to stay focused when they opt for online degrees. This is one area where homeschooled students have a distinct advantage.

However, it’s essential to carefully evaluate online colleges. Make sure to check accreditation and read lots of verified reviews. The best distance study offerings are connected to an existing traditional degree granting program. Of course, the huge advantage of a distance degree is the much lower cost compared to in-person options.

Forest Rose

Forest Rose is a God Loving, Blessed Wife, &  Mama to 3 girls. She’s passionate about lifting moms out of the trenches that are discouraged, overwhelmed, or feeling alone or isolated. Her hope is to point them to Christ and equip them to rise up with a newfound hope and joy within, that He alone can provide. Besides blogging, she also loves to create printables!