by Elaine Sigal
This is one scary process – for anyone going through it. I imagine that Homeschool Parents have many more questions without having a guidance counselor. How does a parent make heads or tails of what needs to be done, when it should be done, and who should do it? What is the parents’ role in planning for this process? How does the parent approach this process to have a successful working partnership with the student? Be prepared and do not wait until the last minute!!!!
My first piece of advice for you to do today: Download the common application and let your child begin to fill it out as completely as possible. This will begin to focus him/her on this entire process. The earlier you start the better. I had my children start doing this when they were 14.
The purpose of this activity is to identify any gaps in the child’s academic life: extracurriculars, high level classes, work, activities, and volunteer work. Many of these “holes” can easily be filled once a parent and child is aware of them. Princeton University, on their web site, suggests that you document as much as you can and go beyond the questions that are asked on the application.
The next piece of applying to college is knowing what tests to take and when to take them. Here are my suggestions:
• PSAT – is taken in the fall of “junior” year
This test is actually the PSAT/NMSQT Preliminary Scholastic Achievement Test/National Merit Semifinal Qualifying Test. Schools do not see this score; use it as a baseline for what your child still needs to learn or in what areas your child needs improvement
• SAT – Can be taken January, March, May or June of “junior” year
Can also be taken October or November of “senior” year
I suggest that the May date “junior” year and the October date “senior” year are optimal
• ACT – this is a different standardized test that students can take – it is offered on different test dates than the SAT. Score equivalents: ACT::SAT 32-36 equivalent to 700’s
• SAT Subject Tests: (previously SAT II’s) These are hour long tests that are multiple choice and are given to students across the country and act as an equalizer for the colleges. If a child says he/she has taken advanced biology, the SAT Subject Test score should reflect that. The most popular tests are US History, World History, Mathematics Level 1 and Level 2, Biology E/M, Chemistry, and Physics. Literature and tests in many languages are also available. These should be taken as soon as possible after the student has finished the course work.
• GED – High School Equivalency Test – some colleges require home schooled students to take this exam.
• AP Exams – these are used to determine college placement. If your child earns a 5 on an AP exam, you can be relatively sure that the child will place out of the course in college. These tests are given during the 2nd and 3rd week in May.
I suggest that as early as possible in the child’s academic career, if you recognize that the child will be going to college, start listing schools that you think your child might attend. Call the schools and ask for the requirements for home schooled students. Then guide yourself accordingly. Wait too long and you could be very surprised.
How do you prepare for these tests? The first way is to use books that offer practice tests and get a baseline. There are prep programs available or the student can self prepare. A very strong vocabulary, preferably attained by extensive reading, is the best way to create a strong Reading Comprehension score. Practicing math problems is a great way to continually review the math. I suggest that students us The Official SAT Study Guide published by College Board.
Application advice:
• Leave the class rank blank.
• Take a couple of classes (if possible) at a community college or elsewhere so that you can have one or two reference letters from a teacher/professor.
• Discuss college options with your child early on so that there are no surprises. See Matrix.
• Determine the goals and expectations that you and your child have.
• Start researching colleges. This is a great activity for the student. There are some great books out there: Fiske Guide is one. It gives you the heartbeat of the school – much more information than just numbers. You can also take Virtual Tours of schools online. Campustours.com is a good one.
• What are colleges looking for in students?
A. Grades
B. Volunteer work
C. Jobs
D. Extracurricular activities
E. Athletics
F. Summer Activities
G. Essay
H. Interview – when available
• Forms needed: Secondary School Report and the Home School Supplement
• Interview Skills: Dress nicely, ask intelligent and researched questions, be prepared to discuss one or two topics in depth, know what you want answered before you go to the school.
• How do you create a shining star? This is important for the application. Try and create a well- rounded child, but remember that being passionate about one or two activities is also critical.
• Essays: An application essay is a look into the child’s soul; it is not intended to be a brag sheet. Have your child take a piece of paper and fold it down the center. On one side write down at least ten events in his/her life – large or small. On the other side write down twenty adjectives or descriptive phrases about him/her. Then use the lists to find an interesting event that describes the child’s attitudes and personality.
This is some basic information for the first time parent. Each of the topics mentioned above can be expanded to help parents further in their quest for the best school for their child.
Download this handy College selection ranking matrix from STIZZiL
Elaine received her BA from The College of New Jersey and her MA in English from Villanova University. She is licensed to teach English, Speech and Theater in two states. Elaine founded and ran a classroom based 'brick and mortar' educational company from 1995 - 2009. Elaine has significant experience matching learners to the appropriate educators and has a large available network in the educational arena. Elaine also taught English on the university level, created adult education courses, managed a credit recovery program, managed all areas of supplemental development, and established a 501c3. She has over 35 years of experience in the education field.
STIZZiL.com - is an online educational resource offering individual and group lessons tailored to any student’s needs at his/her convenience and safety, taught by experienced U.S. licensed teachers through state-of-the-art interactive web tools, such as live web video. STIZZiL will match the best teacher to the right student based on an in-depth survey filled out by the student. Teachers undergo a rigorous background inquiry with only the best chosen to join the STIZZiL staff. All sessions are recorded and archived for student review and quality assurance.
This is one scary process – for anyone going through it. I imagine that Homeschool Parents have many more questions without having a guidance counselor. How does a parent make heads or tails of what needs to be done, when it should be done, and who should do it? What is the parents’ role in planning for this process? How does the parent approach this process to have a successful working partnership with the student? Be prepared and do not wait until the last minute!!!!
My first piece of advice for you to do today: Download the common application and let your child begin to fill it out as completely as possible. This will begin to focus him/her on this entire process. The earlier you start the better. I had my children start doing this when they were 14.
The purpose of this activity is to identify any gaps in the child’s academic life: extracurriculars, high level classes, work, activities, and volunteer work. Many of these “holes” can easily be filled once a parent and child is aware of them. Princeton University, on their web site, suggests that you document as much as you can and go beyond the questions that are asked on the application.
The next piece of applying to college is knowing what tests to take and when to take them. Here are my suggestions:
• PSAT – is taken in the fall of “junior” year
This test is actually the PSAT/NMSQT Preliminary Scholastic Achievement Test/National Merit Semifinal Qualifying Test. Schools do not see this score; use it as a baseline for what your child still needs to learn or in what areas your child needs improvement
• SAT – Can be taken January, March, May or June of “junior” year
Can also be taken October or November of “senior” year
I suggest that the May date “junior” year and the October date “senior” year are optimal
• ACT – this is a different standardized test that students can take – it is offered on different test dates than the SAT. Score equivalents: ACT::SAT 32-36 equivalent to 700’s
• SAT Subject Tests: (previously SAT II’s) These are hour long tests that are multiple choice and are given to students across the country and act as an equalizer for the colleges. If a child says he/she has taken advanced biology, the SAT Subject Test score should reflect that. The most popular tests are US History, World History, Mathematics Level 1 and Level 2, Biology E/M, Chemistry, and Physics. Literature and tests in many languages are also available. These should be taken as soon as possible after the student has finished the course work.
• GED – High School Equivalency Test – some colleges require home schooled students to take this exam.
• AP Exams – these are used to determine college placement. If your child earns a 5 on an AP exam, you can be relatively sure that the child will place out of the course in college. These tests are given during the 2nd and 3rd week in May.
I suggest that as early as possible in the child’s academic career, if you recognize that the child will be going to college, start listing schools that you think your child might attend. Call the schools and ask for the requirements for home schooled students. Then guide yourself accordingly. Wait too long and you could be very surprised.
How do you prepare for these tests? The first way is to use books that offer practice tests and get a baseline. There are prep programs available or the student can self prepare. A very strong vocabulary, preferably attained by extensive reading, is the best way to create a strong Reading Comprehension score. Practicing math problems is a great way to continually review the math. I suggest that students us The Official SAT Study Guide published by College Board.
Application advice:
• Leave the class rank blank.
• Take a couple of classes (if possible) at a community college or elsewhere so that you can have one or two reference letters from a teacher/professor.
• Discuss college options with your child early on so that there are no surprises. See Matrix.
• Determine the goals and expectations that you and your child have.
• Start researching colleges. This is a great activity for the student. There are some great books out there: Fiske Guide is one. It gives you the heartbeat of the school – much more information than just numbers. You can also take Virtual Tours of schools online. Campustours.com is a good one.
• What are colleges looking for in students?
A. Grades
B. Volunteer work
C. Jobs
D. Extracurricular activities
E. Athletics
F. Summer Activities
G. Essay
H. Interview – when available
• Forms needed: Secondary School Report and the Home School Supplement
• Interview Skills: Dress nicely, ask intelligent and researched questions, be prepared to discuss one or two topics in depth, know what you want answered before you go to the school.
• How do you create a shining star? This is important for the application. Try and create a well- rounded child, but remember that being passionate about one or two activities is also critical.
• Essays: An application essay is a look into the child’s soul; it is not intended to be a brag sheet. Have your child take a piece of paper and fold it down the center. On one side write down at least ten events in his/her life – large or small. On the other side write down twenty adjectives or descriptive phrases about him/her. Then use the lists to find an interesting event that describes the child’s attitudes and personality.
This is some basic information for the first time parent. Each of the topics mentioned above can be expanded to help parents further in their quest for the best school for their child.
Download this handy College selection ranking matrix from STIZZiL
Elaine received her BA from The College of New Jersey and her MA in English from Villanova University. She is licensed to teach English, Speech and Theater in two states. Elaine founded and ran a classroom based 'brick and mortar' educational company from 1995 - 2009. Elaine has significant experience matching learners to the appropriate educators and has a large available network in the educational arena. Elaine also taught English on the university level, created adult education courses, managed a credit recovery program, managed all areas of supplemental development, and established a 501c3. She has over 35 years of experience in the education field.
STIZZiL.com - is an online educational resource offering individual and group lessons tailored to any student’s needs at his/her convenience and safety, taught by experienced U.S. licensed teachers through state-of-the-art interactive web tools, such as live web video. STIZZiL will match the best teacher to the right student based on an in-depth survey filled out by the student. Teachers undergo a rigorous background inquiry with only the best chosen to join the STIZZiL staff. All sessions are recorded and archived for student review and quality assurance.
