College Admissions Counseling Blog

There was another recent story about a home schooled student being admitted to a selective college. The Star Tribune of Minneapolis reported that one of the state's National Merit Scholarship winners was a home schooled student heading to Northwestern University. In the past it was unusual for a home schooled student to attend a highly selective college in part because the colleges didn't know what to do with a student with no grades other than those give by one of their parents.

While some colleges still are weary about home school students, the number of colleges welcoming these students is increasing every year. What the colleges have finally figured out is that strong, talented students come from a variety of backgrounds including some who are home schooled. It is true that these students need to show some basis for their academic strength outside of their grades. But keep in mind that while grades are the most important factor for most colleges in admitting a student, it is not the only factor. Test scores, essays, and recommendations are also important and even more so for students without traditional grades.

If you are home schooled you can still consider selective colleges. You just need to show why you are a student that will provide something of benefit to the colleges you are looking to attend. Which is exactly the same thing that traditional students need to show.