Homeschool to College Crash Course — Jeannie Fulbright Press

I homeschooled all four of my children, and every one of them was accepted to the University of Georgia, each earning a scholarship that covered 90 to 100 percent of tuition on the strength of their SAT scores and homeschool transcripts. So when I say this next part, I mean it from experience: getting your homeschooled child into college is not difficult—it just requires knowing what hoops to jump through. You’ve been encouraged, you’ve been discouraged, you’ve been given information and misinformation; this guide pulls it all together into an easy, step-by-step process, from eighth grade all the way to move-in day. Remember, the hoops change positions all the time, so always double-check the money and testing details against today’s requirements. But the heart of the journey stays the same.

The testing, credit, and financial-aid figures in this guide were refreshed in 2026 from official sources (College Board, ACT, studentaid.gov, and university financial-aid pages). Anything money-related still changes year to year, so confirm the current numbers before you rely on them.

Prefer this as a workbook your student can fill in? This free guide is the companion to my book, My College Road Map, the consumable college-planning workbook I wrote with my husband, Jeff. It walks your middle- or high-schooler through every step here, with a personality quiz that points toward majors and careers, pages to record courses, grades, and test scores, application checklists, and campus-visit and essay worksheets. It is written to the student, so they take ownership of the journey. Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars. Find it on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1940110432?tag=jeannieful-20

Start in 8th Grade: Records and the Drawer
Courses for a Great Transcript
Testing: The SAT and the ACT
Test Prep That Pays
AP Courses
Dual Enrollment
CLEP
SAT Subject Tests
Standing Out: Depth, Not Breadth
Ways to Take a Passion to the Next Level
The Portfolio
Letters of Recommendation
The Admissions Essay
College Visits
Paying for College
Letting Them Go

1. Start in 8th Grade: Records and the Drawer

Eighth grade is the time you should start thinking about and planning for high school, although most homeschooled students begin taking high school level courses in eighth grade. Typically, students choose a math, science, or foreign language course to study. You’ll want to begin keeping records of the high school coursework completed.

Here’s what to do:

Write down the text used and a description of the course on a piece of paper
Write down the start and finish dates on that same paper
Estimate how much time your child spent each week on that course
Keep 5 pieces of work—preferably tests—as evidence of the completed course

By the way, you will do this for every course taken throughout high school. However, it’s not necessary if the course is from an accredited institution. You’ll just need a transcript from the institution once the course is completed.

The next part of your preparation is to designate a drawer. A drawer? Yes! The drawer will serve as the collecting place for everything you need to build your child’s portfolio. If you’re like me, you’re far too busy to create a portfolio and keep up with it for every class each semester from eighth grade to your child’s senior year. Instead, just have a designated drawer where you place your child’s coursework, awards, certificates, and anything else you might want to show to a college and include in your student’s portfolio. Anything that says, “Look how amazing my child is!” is fair game. I included tests, essays, research papers, artwork, volunteer service awards, and even a picture of my daughter being crowned Miss Fulton County’s Outstanding Teen.

Creating a high school portfolio is an important aspect of helping your homeschooled child get into college. I’ll explain what a portfolio should look like and how to create one in a later section.

2. Courses for a Great Transcript

Ideally, ninth grade is the time to begin mapping out the courses your child will need in high school to graduate with a college prep transcript.

It’s okay to begin thinking through the courses in eighth grade or even later than ninth grade. My older daughter decided she wanted to go to college in January of her 11th grade year. So we began the process then. Though we had to play catch up, it was not a big deal and she ended up getting into an extremely competitive college on scholarship. Pulling together a college transcript can be done at the 11th hour—or in 11th grade. So if you are behind the eight ball, fear not. It’s not too late.

How do you know what a college prep transcript should look like?

Most colleges require:

4 English credits
3 Math credits
3 Social Studies credits
3 Science credits (Some colleges only require 2)
2 Foreign Language credits

While few universities actually require specific courses, most have preferences, and those preferences change from year to year. Always confirm the current requirements on each college’s admissions page or through College Board’s free BigFuture site (bigfuture.collegeboard.org). As one example of how two schools can differ, Regent University has preferred 4 English, 3 Math, 3 Social Studies, 3 Science, and 3 Foreign Language credits, while the University of Georgia has required 4 English, 4 Math, 3 Social Studies, 4 Science, and 2 Foreign Language credits.

Credit Confusion: One credit typically takes an entire year to achieve. It is at least 180 hours (called a Carnegie Unit). Most fine arts courses, though they span an entire year, are only ½ credit because they do not require much outside work.

Ninth grade is also a good time to go ahead and research some colleges you may be interested in. I recommend researching:

1 dream college
2 practical colleges
1 easy college

A great place to research colleges (how hard they are to get into, what they cost, and what majors they offer) is College Board’s free BigFuture (bigfuture.collegeboard.org), along with the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard (collegescorecard.ed.gov), which shows the real costs and graduation outcomes for every school. You can also go directly to the college’s website or call their admissions office.

Even if your child proclaims to the mountains at fifteen that he is not going to college, choose the most academically challenging transcript your child is capable of producing. When a child turns seventeen, he will think differently and will often change direction without warning. If he’s had a rigorous course schedule in high school, he’ll be ready for whatever college he decides to pursue.

Give your child a high school education that opens up the most doors—and ask God to lead him through the right one!

3. Testing: The SAT and the ACT

Tenth grade is the year when your student will want to prepare for and even begin standardized testing. The SAT and ACT are the most important college entrance exams to take. Many students also take the PSAT, however it is not required by all colleges. Consider purchasing test prep books for the exams to help your student prepare.

So which test should your child take, and when?

The SAT and the ACT are the two main exams your child will need to take. Some take both tests, while others choose to take only one. Both exams have changed a great deal recently, so here is where things stand as of 2026:

The SAT is now fully digital and adaptive. Since spring 2024 the SAT has been taken on a computer through College Board’s free Bluebook app (the last paper SAT was given in December 2023). It is shorter than the old paper test, about 2 hours and 14 minutes, with just two sections: Reading and Writing (64 minutes) and Math (70 minutes), for 98 questions total. It is section-adaptive, meaning how your child does on the first half of each section sets the difficulty of the second half. A calculator, including a built-in Desmos graphing calculator, is now allowed on the entire math section. There is no longer an essay, and scoring is still on the familiar 400 to 1600 scale.

The ACT has been slimmed down too. With the “enhanced ACT” that rolled out in 2025 (online in April, on paper in September), the core test is now just English, Math, and Reading, and it runs around two hours. Science and Writing are now optional add-ons, scored separately, that do not count toward the Composite. The Composite is still reported on the 1 to 36 scale, now averaging only the three core sections. The ACT is offered both online and on paper.

So which test? The old rules of thumb still mostly hold: the SAT leans toward reasoning and problem-solving, while the ACT rewards knowledge and moves at a faster pace. The best way to decide is to have your child take a free official practice test of each and compare. College Board’s Bluebook app and the free Official Digital SAT Prep on Khan Academy give full-length adaptive SAT practice, and ACT offers free official practice at act.org. Nearly all colleges accept either test equally, and most are now test-optional, so check each school’s current policy.

Most students wait until their 11th grade year to begin testing; however, it can be beneficial to begin in 10th grade. Getting a “baseline” early can help pinpoint weak areas, enabling your child to focus on those areas when prepping for the next test.

4. Test Prep That Pays

In a survey, I asked homeschoolers and test prep teachers what the typical point increase was for students who took an actual SAT or ACT test prep course and for students who did not. The results were what I expected but not what is generally reported in the media.

Students who did not take a prep course, but rather prepared on their own using SAT/ACT prep books and online practice questions did not see an increase in their scores.

It is often reported that formal coaching raises scores only modestly. My own informal survey of homeschoolers and prep teachers suggested larger gains, 200 points or more, for students who did a real, sustained prep course rather than casual review. Take big numbers like that with a grain of salt, because results vary enormously from student to student. What the data does show clearly is that consistent, focused practice helps: College Board found that about 20 hours of free Official Digital SAT Prep on Khan Academy was associated with an average gain of roughly 115 points. The best value in test prep today is the free official practice built into Bluebook and Khan Academy, so start there before paying for anything.

That kind of increase has extreme value. Most college scholarships are based directly on the student’s SAT/ACT score. It is often an automatically awarded scholarship. But how much is the increase in the SAT score actually worth?

A number of colleges tie merit scholarships directly to test scores. The University of Rochester once publicly shared that it awarded about $115 in scholarship for every 10-point increase on the SAT, so a 200-point gain could mean roughly $10,000 over four years. Those exact figures are more than a decade old, and college costs have risen well over a third since then, so add to them for today’s dollars and remember every school sets its own formula. The principle holds: because so much merit aid is score-driven, even a modest score bump can be worth real money.

Further, many states have programs that pay the tuition of students who score well on the SAT reading and math combined. So in the end, what you spend on the test prep course may actually pay back tenfold or more.

My own daughter completed a DVD SAT math prep program from Chalk Dust that was very helpful, along with a several-week classroom prep course. Her prep raised her score over 200 points, qualified her for our state tuition scholarship, and saved us over $40,000 in tuition. (That was more than a decade ago; in today’s dollars the savings would be larger still.) The courses paid us back fiftyfold.

One test-prep educator explains the difference between the two exams this way: “The SAT is an IQ type test. It is not based upon epistemology; it is based upon critical thinking. In other words, the SAT measures students’ ability to problem solve. The ACT measures students’ knowledge acquisition. Therefore, the SAT preparation ideally needs a commitment of one to three years. Students cannot raise their IQ scores nor improve critical thinking skills overnight, or even in two months. But students can raise ACT scores in 50 days.”

Although test prep courses are pricey, I believe they are an investment that will often end up saving you money.

Some have reported a high increase while others a low increase after test preparation. Keep in mind that the score depends on the student. The 200 point increase was simply an average based on the survey.

5. AP Courses

For academic hopefuls, the junior year matters. Time to spit shine that transcript! The first (and probably most important) thing colleges absolutely drool over is AP coursework and a score of 3 or above on the AP exam.

My daughter never took an AP class until her senior year. In 11th grade, she was still planning to be a professional ballerina. College wasn’t even on the radar. Thus, she crammed four AP classes into her senior year (two were taken online). It would have been easier for her to do two her junior year and two her senior year. But we were playing catch up.

Very competitive colleges like to see even more than four AP classes. But if your child can fit at least one AP class in before the senior year, he’s doing fine. If you start thinking about college before junior year, you’re ahead of the game.

Here is why AP courses help spit shine your transcript:

AP courses are equivalent to college courses. In some cases, AP courses are harder than college courses. Colleges know that if you can handle an AP course, you can handle college. Please don’t have your child attempt an AP course if he is struggling with regular coursework. They are genuinely difficult and require more hours of study.

AP courses offer college credit if you take the AP exam for the course. Colleges set their own rules: many public universities grant credit for a score of 3 or higher, while more selective schools often require a 4 or 5, and some grant placement rather than credit. Each AP exam costs $99 in the U.S. (2025-26), with fee reductions for qualifying families. Set that against what a college credit costs, roughly $227 per credit at a public in-state school and around $1,500 per credit at a private college, and a single passing AP exam can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars while moving your child a step closer to graduation. Some very elite schools do not give credit for AP courses but give admissions preference to students who took them. Check any college’s rules with College Board’s free AP Credit Policy Search at apstudents.collegeboard.org.

AP exams are scheduled in May, with specific dates for each test. A full list of AP courses and current exam dates is available through College Board at apstudents.collegeboard.org. Homeschoolers don’t have to teach AP courses themselves; many online providers, such as Pennsylvania Homeschoolers AP and The Potter’s School, offer College Board-approved AP classes. Search for current options, since providers come and go.

Keep in mind that an AP course’s instructor and syllabus must be approved by the College Board to count on the transcript. Your student can take the AP exam without taking the class, but he will not be able to get AP course credit on his high school transcript without having completed the approved course.

It’s great to have AP on the transcript. Why not have your child give it a try? Have him choose a subject he feels strong in and then sign up!

6. Dual Enrollment

When a high school student takes college courses while in high school, it’s called dual enrollment. Dual enrollment courses count for both high school and college credit.

Although colleges prefer AP courses, dual enrollment is often a better option for homeschoolers. Not only is community college more readily available, it shows colleges that your homeschooled child is capable of managing a college class. Dual enrollment puts your child’s transcript through the rigor test that colleges use to evaluate the difficulty of high school work. It beefs up the high school transcript and lends credibility to your child’s homeschool GPA. It also gives your child a head start on college graduation by giving him actual college credits. But keep in mind, he is also entering college with a college GPA.

Online Dual Enrollment. My daughter took all her dual enrollment courses online through Liberty University. She watched lectures on video, interacted with classmates on a forum, took timed tests, wrote papers, and filmed speeches that she uploaded. All four courses she took were accepted for credit at the University of Georgia. Because she made A’s in her dual enrollment courses at Liberty, she entered college with a 4.0. Private online colleges are a more expensive option than community college courses. However, it worked better for my daughter to pursue the online option because she needed the flexibility that accommodated her ballet schedule. The environment at Liberty also nurtured and supported her Christian beliefs.

Community College Dual Enrollment. Taking courses at a local community college can be a good way to transition from homeschool to college. Your child will learn how to navigate college life—ordering books, handling registration, and utilizing professor hours and tutoring services—while living at home. Your child might also have an opportunity to join groups and organizations in his area of interest. For example, one homeschooler joined the newspaper staff, enabling her to gain experience and polish her resume.

However there are some cautions to consider, and the most important one may surprise you:

If your child is strong in a particular area of interest, it is wise not to have him take that course for dual enrollment. Why? Because you want your child to enter his four year college taking the freshmen level courses in his area of interest. Not only will the subject be taught differently at a four year college, you want your child to stand out to professors in his area of interest. If your child completes entry level courses at a junior college, he may end up as an 18 year old in a classroom with 20 year olds. Even if your child is strong in the subject, he will be at a disadvantage and his great aptitude will be overlooked. This would be a disservice to your child.

Think of it this way: If your child wants to be a biologist and takes Biology 101 at a junior college, then enters a four year college and takes Biology 201, he might not be adequately prepared. He will seem like a struggling student rather than the bright stellar student he really is. It’s best to get those courses he doesn’t love out of the way by dual enrolling. That way, when he gets to college, he can focus on the courses he does love.

Here are some other cautions to consider:

If your child does not do well, it becomes part of his permanent college record and will affect his ability to get into a four year college.
Most major universities are particular about which credits they accept from community colleges. The courses must match their course descriptions and be considered rigorous. Thus, your child’s credits may not transfer.
Some college professors have no qualms about discussing casual sex, drugs, and alcohol in a positive way.
Some college professors are adamantly against anything that resembles religion. Your student might have to exercise caution when expressing his opinion in both class and in writing assignments. One student was chastised by her professor because she had a Scripture in the tagline of her email.
Some fellow students may exhibit behavior and vocabulary that are offensive.

Ready or Not? So is your child ready for dual enrollment? Spend some time in prayer, talk it over with your child, and decide the best course to take. Most colleges require students to have taken the SAT or ACT to dual enroll. So if you intend to dual enroll in 11th grade, be sure to take one or both of these tests well in advance. Some states, like Georgia, will pay some of the expenses incurred when your student dual enrolls. Most community colleges and universities have their dual enrollment guidelines online. If you have any questions, call the admissions office.

Whether or not they dual enroll, remember, God has a great plan for your child’s future. If you do not feel led to begin college early, that’s because it isn’t the right course for your child.

Many, LORD my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. Psalm 40:5

7. CLEP

CLEP has become quite popular in the homeschool community. You may be wondering, “What is CLEP?” CLEP is a test created by the College Board to assess college level knowledge of a subject. It’s called the College Level Examination Program. Essentially, if your child knows a subject well enough to pass the test, he can earn college credit for that subject.

When is CLEP a good option? If your child is highly motivated and eager to pursue an advanced degree that requires a bachelors degree as a first step, CLEP exams can jump start your child’s education. In some cases, your child can earn his entire degree through CLEP. I met a young man who earned his degree at eighteen through CLEP exams. He then applied to Houston Law School and was admitted after a lengthy interview. However, the school had concerns about his ability to handle an actual college class. He struggled and admits he should have taken a few classroom courses before starting law school. In the end, however, he ended up doing well in his law classes.

If the university your child is most interested in attending accepts CLEP credit, CLEP can be a great option because it’s both cost and time effective. A bright and motivated student can CLEP a lot of classes in a short period of time—garnering lots of college credits and saving a ton of money.

When is CLEP not a good option? Many rigorous universities do not recognize CLEP. My daughter passed a CLEP exam and earned a score that typically garners six hours of English credit. However, only one of the universities she wished to attend would accept the credits. Be sure to check whether or not the schools your child is interested in accept CLEP credits to ensure you don’t end up wasting valuable time and money pursuing CLEP. Do a search for CLEP on the university’s website. The admissions department will have a list of the exams they accept.

Earning a bachelor’s degree through CLEP is not the best option for most students. The college experience offers much more than a degree. Your child will find like minded friends, begin lifelong relationships, learn independence and self awareness, and build networks that will increase his employment opportunities. He will most likely have the chance at many interesting and varied internships and study abroad programs and will gain wisdom and life skills through the multitude of opportunities and experiences college life affords. Your child will miss many of these benefits if he chooses to pursue college at home.

One worldwide lament is how difficult it is to make friends after college. A person’s college friends are typically true and lifelong friends. It is in the unique setting of a college campus that your child will learn who he is and what it is God wants him to do with his life. This is why I recommend CLEP only for garnering credits before entering college or earning a degree if one already has a career path in place. Aside from this, I have heard of many adults finally earning their degree by CLEP. Kudos to them!

Once you decide CLEP is the right option for your child, you’ll need to research where your child can take the tests. Most community colleges and universities have testing centers where you can take a CLEP exam, and remote proctoring is now available too. My daughter went to our local community college, registered there, sat down alone in a room full of computers, took the exam, and got her score immediately. It was that easy! Each CLEP exam costs $97 (2025-26), plus a separate administration fee charged by the test center. You register through the My CLEP portal at clep.collegeboard.org. CLEP is accepted at more than 2,900 colleges, and a passing score usually earns at least three credits, but always confirm your target school accepts it first. Plenty of CLEP study guides are available.

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. Psalm 32:8

8. SAT Subject Tests

SAT Subject Tests no longer exist. College Board discontinued them in 2021, dropping the optional SAT Essay at the same time. The principle behind them still matters, though, because colleges love to see a student show deep mastery of a subject. Today your child demonstrates that through AP exams, CLEP exams, and dual-enrollment coursework rather than a subject test. One caution carries over from the old advice: if your child has a specific field he wants to study, think twice before testing out of the introductory courses in that field. You want his professors to see his potential, and you want him to learn the way that particular university teaches the subject before he moves to the next level.

9. Standing Out: Depth, Not Breadth

Colleges love extra curricular activities. Think not too many, not too few. Depth, not breadth.

Have your student participate in activities that not only interest him but ones in which he can make a difference. Some examples include: scouts, clubs, sports, music, dance, and community service. Look for opportunities that enable your child to develop and demonstrate leadership skills. A student that has worked hard and is accomplished in an area or two will catch the eye of college admissions counselors.

Colleges look for students that “stand out” from among other applicants. They’re interested in those they feel will enhance their school and campus. That’s not to say a “typical” student can’t get in, but it helps to show that your child is special and can offer something unique to the student body and to the school itself.

The most important way to stand out is to prove commitment through long term involvement in an extra curricular activity, passion, or interest. This means your child shows dedication that goes beyond participation. Colleges don’t want to see you involved in lots of things; they want to see you go deeper with a few or even a single thing—excelling beyond the norm. Committed students are appealing because they reveal someone who will arrive on campus and make things happen.

Homeschooled students have the rare opportunity to become experts in the fields that interest them. Don’t let your child settle for a typical education. Encourage him to specialize in one or two areas, making him stand out from the crowd.

What is your child currently doing that he loves to do? Is there a way he can take this activity or interest to the next level? Here are some ideas to get you thinking:

Horseback riding
Birding
Robotics
Web design
Art
Musical instrument
Musical theatre
Dance
Sports
Part-time job
Scouts
Tutoring/coaching
Photography
Writing stories/essays/books
Chess
Blogging
Volunteering
Small business/online business/craft business
Anything of special interest that takes time or study

Talk to your child about his talents and interests, brainstorming how he can develop and use these gifts in unique ways. Then ask God to open the doors of opportunity meant just for him. Be sure to keep good records of the opportunities pursued and the time invested. This will make it easier to showcase your child’s uniqueness and help him stand out when it comes time to fill out his college applications.

Don’t waste the summer months, either. Make good use of the summer between the 10th and 11th grade years. Have your student look for jobs, internships, or volunteer opportunities that interest him. You might also consider one of the summer programs for high school students offered by various colleges.

10. Ways to Take a Passion to the Next Level

What are some ways your child can stand out with his passions and extra curricular activities? Below are some ideas.

Enter a Competition. There are competitions for almost every field of interest. Whether it’s birding, piano, art, writing, math, debate, mock trial, or Legos—competitions abound! Adding competitions, and especially a win, to your child’s list of activities will do wonders for that spit shine on his application. My daughter entered ballet competitions and placed highly, giving her application that special “oomph.” She took her talent in dance to the Miss America Organization by competing for Miss Georgia’s Outstanding Teen as Miss Fulton County’s Outstanding Teen, bringing home several awards and cash for college.

Start a Business. With the advent of online shopping, one can sell almost anything he creates. How can your child’s interest turn into an online business? When my daughter was younger, she started a dance magazine and sold subscriptions online, mailing her printed magazine each month. She could have turned her dance knowledge into a plethora of different businesses, including writing “How To” books, selling dance paraphernalia, or teaching classes.

Teach a Class. Colleges are looking for leadership skills. Teaching others is highly valued and will add gold stars to your child’s entrance application. Whether your child is a history buff or an expert on birds, he can hold a weekly or one time class to share his love of his favorite subject.

Start a Blog. Blogging is big. Very big. If your child is excited about and committed to creating content and talking about his passion on a weekly basis (in short spurts), he could garner a following that would look quite impressive to college admissions counselors.

Hold a Summer Camp. Is your child an expert on reptiles, baseball, ping pong, acting, ballet, or something else? If so, he can hold a summer camp for young children, teaching them the fundamentals of his interest. When my daughter was a young teen, she put together a musical theatre camp for elementary students. The camp filled quickly. She and a friend assigned the campers roles in a play, taught them ballet, fed them snacks, and played lots of fun theatre games over the course of a week. At the end of the week, parents came to enjoy watching their children perform. My daughter made a little money, had a lot of fun, and added a double whammy to her college application in both leadership and business initiative.

Attend a Summer Camp. This is the time to really enhance your child’s college application by having him attend a summer program! There are programs dedicated to almost every passion your child might have. They look great on the entrance application and can definitely improve your child’s chances of getting into a competitive school. Most colleges offer programs for high school students and some even offer college credit for the experience. If your child is interested in a particular college, check out their summer programs to score some brownie points and prove your child’s commitment to that school. My daughter auditioned for and attended ballet summer camps every summer from age thirteen to seventeen. She met so many amazing friends and teachers, opening her world to valuable life experiences. Do some research online by plugging in “Summer Program” or “Summer Camp” next to the area of interest your child might enjoy studying.

Write a Book or eBook. Colleges love writers. If your child has any writing aptitude, encourage him to write a book. Whether it’s fiction or nonfiction, starting and finishing a book is an impressive feat. There are many avenues for getting a book published these days. Some publishing houses and agents specialize in teen authors. Whether you seek traditional publication or self publishing, the process will give your child an invaluable experience.

Build an Informational Website or Podcast. Your homeschooled student has the advantage of time—time to become one of the experts. A friend’s son took his baseball knowledge to the next level by becoming an online expert. No one knew he was in high school. It didn’t matter; he knew his stuff. He ended up with a great job, making a lot of money as a senior contributor on a national program while in college. If your child has spent a great deal of time on one subject, encourage him to make his expertise available to others.

Volunteer. A great way for your child to build up his knowledge and expertise in a field is to volunteer his time in that field. A friend of mine’s son who planned to become a vet volunteered at his vet’s office beginning at age twelve. My son is interested in becoming an environmental scientist and is volunteering at a local nature center, taking visitors on trails to tell them about the local flora and fauna. Volunteering is a great way to sparkle among colleges.

There are many ways your child can take his unique interest to the next level. This is the beauty of homeschooling through high school. It’s also not too early to begin requesting brochures and information from colleges in which your child is interested. Get the “insider tips” by talking with current college students and their parents about their experiences—a great resource that can help narrow down your college choices quickly.

11. The Portfolio

Years ago, when homeschooling was new, colleges required personal interviews and thick portfolios outlining every detail of the homeschooled student’s high school coursework and experiences. Now that homeschooling is more mainstream, portfolios are no longer requested or required. However, they are still a good idea. Why?

Colleges might have some questions about a course or two on your child’s transcript. For example, they may want more information about the biology course your child took. If you have a well organized portfolio, you can easily flip to the science section and access that information.
It will offer you great peace of mind to have one place that details your child’s high school accomplishments and activities, as well as their coursework. You would be surprised how easy it is to forget that your child volunteered at the animal shelter or that his team was featured in the newspaper. An organized portfolio will enable him to create a more thorough resume and will help when it comes time to fill out college admissions forms.
Many scholarship opportunities and honor societies require a portfolio and a lengthy list of the things with which a student has been involved. A friend of mine recently filled out a scholarship form that required a list of all the volunteer work her child had done. After the form was completed and sent, she realized she neglected a very important service activity. If she had kept a portfolio, it would have been easier to fill out the form accurately.

This is why, at the beginning of this course, I suggested designating a drawer in which to put everything your child does in high school—so you would have everything in one place when it came time to put together the portfolio. Keep in mind that each college that asks for a portfolio will not return it. So make sure to copy everything, keeping multiples of each document. If you are naturally organized—unlike me—you may want to add certificates, papers, tests, and newspaper articles to the binder immediately. However if you are like me, you’ll toss things in the drawer and once a year—usually in the summer—spend a few hours organizing everything into the binder.

What you’ll need: a large 3-ring binder, divider tabs, and a package of page protectors.

How to organize the tabs:

Transcripts/Tests/Letters — Include your homemade transcript as well as any transcripts from coursework your child takes online or locally. Include SAT/ACT/subject test or CLEP test records. Include any copies of Letters of Recommendation (if you received a copy).

Volunteer Service — Include a list of all the volunteer work your child has done. If you can, get a letter from the agency validating your child’s time. Include any certificates of service; if your child has received the Presidential Volunteer Service Award, put the certificate here. Remember that volunteer work at church counts toward community service, too.

Awards/Certificates/Honors/Scholarships — Include any awards or certificates your child receives for participation in activities, competitions, and courses. If your child has been offered or nominated for scholarships or honors, include the letters here. Include any news articles featuring your child or his group/team.

Extra Curricular/Work — Include anything your child does or has done outside of school. For example, my daughter worked as a columnist for an online newspaper; we printed up some of her articles and put them here.

The rest of the binder is designated for actual schoolwork. For each course taken, include a cover sheet with this information: your child’s name, course name and description, assignments and topics covered, time started and finished, first semester grade/second semester grade, all texts and books used, as well as several samples of your child’s work and tests. Colleges want to see what you have accomplished over and above the average student—rather than learning your child was just a member of the Mock Trial Team, they want to see that he received the Outstanding Attorney Award. This is why separating actual achievements from the activities themselves is so valuable.

Organize the coursework roughly like this:

Language Arts: 4 credits
Science: 3–4 credits (physical science and biology; some colleges require chemistry as well)
Social Sciences: 3.5 credits (American history, government, and economics)
Foreign Language: 2 credits (some colleges want to see 3)
Math: 4 credits (algebra 1, algebra 2, and geometry—include final exams)
Health and PE: 2 credits (keep a log of workouts and physical activities; my daughter’s ballet was credited as PE as well as performing arts)
Art: .5 credit is typically given for each year-long course; performing arts and photography go here too
Electives: anything not included above, including hobbies (birding, woodworking, movie making, gardening)

A few tips:

You can create courses based on the eclectic work you have done. Create a course description listing the hours spent, books and films studied, projects undertaken, assignments completed, and field trips taken. Examples: Citizenship, Home Economics, Drivers Education, Computer Literacy, Physical Education, Health, Fine Arts, Civics, State History, Literature, SAT Prep Course.
1 Carnegie Unit = 1 Credit Hour = roughly 120 hours of time spent on coursework.
Don’t pad your portfolio with too many samples. Select a few quality samples, your mid-term and final exams, photos of projects, and important assignments.
Find a sponsor for the Presidential Community Service Award if your child is very involved in church or community. Be sure to turn hours in regularly.

Putting together the portfolio can be really encouraging for your child. Even if he never shows it to a college admissions counselor, he can look through it and be proud of his accomplishments and the character he demonstrated in attaining his goals. Most importantly, you and your child can give thanks and glory to God for His faithfulness and leading along the journey.

12. Letters of Recommendation

Most universities and scholarship boards require applicants to submit a letter of recommendation from a teacher. This can be tricky for homeschoolers since colleges do not want letters from parents.

When my daughter began her college application process, she had never completed a class outside the home except for an online dual enrollment course through Liberty University. She was enrolled in classes her senior year but barely knew the instructors when she started applying to colleges. My daughter ended up asking for letters of recommendation from her ballet instructors and mock trial coaches.

It’s important to begin thinking early about letters of recommendation and which teachers you want to write them. Plan for your child to ask for the letter toward the end of the course or immediately upon completion of it. It’s vital that you ask for this letter well in advance of the application due date. Most colleges require three letters of recommendation from teachers that know your child in and outside of the classroom. Ask them to include information about academic achievements, accomplishments in the class, and a few things about character.

Although your child may feel awkward asking for a letter that highlights what an outstanding person he is, instructors do not mind writing these letters. My husband and I, as well as our mock trial co-coach, have written many letters of recommendation for our homeschool mock trial team members.

When requesting a letter, it’s important that your child reminds the instructor of his achievements both inside and outside the class. It’s also nice to include with the letter a resume of your child’s activities, jobs, and accomplishments.

If there is something specific the college or scholarship committee needs the instructor to do (such as fill out a form on the website), let the instructor know. One scholarship letter I wrote needed a great deal of information about the student’s leadership qualities. Consequently, that was the focus of my letter, and the student received the scholarship over hundreds of other applicants. If the instructor is required to mail the letter to someone specific, send him a stamped envelope with the proper forwarding address.

Letters of recommendation can be very affirming for your child. Though he will most likely never have the chance to read the letters, he can be encouraged knowing that important figures in his life believe enough in him and his accomplishments to boldly recommend him to his college of choice.

13. The Admissions Essay

Most every college application asks for a personal essay. The purpose of the admissions essay is to:

Get to know your child better
Find out what makes your child tick
Hear your child’s story
Understand the “why” behind your child’s “what”

No matter what anyone tells you, the essay is not the most important piece of the college admissions puzzle. It won’t make or break your child’s chances unless it’s horribly written with glaring grammar and spelling errors. Though it’s not the golden ticket to admissions, the essay can be a place for your child to set himself apart, tell his story, explain his life, and show who he is—especially if your child has an unusual life compared to the average American kid. The essay can help your child sparkle! Additionally, the essay could prove valuable for an “iffy” applicant who doesn’t quite have the courses or test scores admissions counselors like to see. It can open the counselors’ eyes and the schools’ doors if your child is teetering on the edge of being admitted.

Your child’s essay should:

Tell a story that highlights the essence of who he is.
Grab the attention of the weary admissions reader. The biggest problem with most essays is they are boring. Your child should avoid a boring essay at all costs! Humor is always appreciated if your child has it in him.
Not be written by Mom! Even if writing is not your child’s strength, he is unique and the school wants to hear his 18 year old voice, not Mom’s 40 year old voice. He should have help with editing, but the original ideas and expression should be his own. Please do not edit out your child’s voice even if it sounds snarky. Colleges love real people. They can spot the robotic, boring, parent driven, pretentious essay a mile away!
Respond directly to the prompt if there is one.
Not be predictable. Now is the time to be creative and think outside the box! Your child shouldn’t use the cliché about how he hit the winning run. He should show how he’s unique.
Not be a story about someone in the family. It should be about YOUR CHILD—not grandpa who discovered the cure for cancer.
Start with a hook. Use a quotation, irony, an amusing anecdote, or a play on words. The essay should entertain the reader!
Detail only the most unique or important accomplishment—maybe something that isn’t already in the admissions folder. If he simply gloats over his accomplishments, it will make the essay boring and redundant.
Be a place where your child explains his situation if he has something negative in his record.
Give some insight into what your child hopes to do or be as an adult if he knows.
Possibly mention why this college is a good fit for him. Be sure to change the name of the college on each essay!
Be edited by someone with good grammar.
Not cause undue stress! The essay most likely won’t be the deciding factor. In fact, it may not even be read—especially if your child has the test scores needed to get in.

How important is it, really? That probably depends on whether or not your child is an “iffy” applicant. If he meets the advertised averages for GPA and test scores, the admissions essay isn’t crucial—it’ll probably just be skimmed. Remember, admissions counselors have thousands to read and very little time. But after watching insider videos of admissions counselors discussing applicants, it was obvious the information they used to decide whether to accept an iffy applicant was data they learned through the student’s admissions essay. Hard luck stories were given the greatest consideration.

The Story. The essay should tell your child’s story but not his entire life story. It should convey a single event or piece of who he is. Here are some tips to help your child discover his story. Have him:

Ask his friends what stories they would tell about him.
Ask his friends to describe him and give examples of why they think he’s that way.
Ask parents and grandparents what stories they would tell about him.
Ask family members to tell about something he did when he was little that gave clues as to who he would become.
Think of his biggest hardships in life—even if they involve personal stories about you or your family. These types of stories are beloved by admissions counselors. Don’t worry! The essay will not be kept in your child’s permanent records; it will be discarded after the admissions process. If there is a personal tragedy in his life, it would be wise to share it—especially at an elite school with tough admissions.
Tell what he wants to become. When did he decide this? Was there an event that occurred? How has he pursued this?

Our Example. My daughter used a play on words and a little shock value in her essay. She played on the word “bar,” combining the ballet barre with the Bar Association for lawyers. She spent fourteen years at the ballet barre. As a Mock Trial student, she sat for the Georgia Junior Bar and passed with honors. Her goal was to go to Law School. She began her essay this way:

It may sound sketchy, but I spent most of my childhood at one bar or another – bars in San Diego, bars in Georgia. My favorite bars were in San Francisco. But I really got to know myself after six months at the Houston bars. Believe me, bars taught strength, balance, and perseverance. Standing at the bar, I willed every muscle in my body into position and attempted to master the perfect arabesque – hoping it would look like that on stage.

The essay followed with a revelation of her intense ballet and mock trial training, her desire to go to law school, and how this college would be her next step in fulfilling her dreams of joining the American Bar Association as an attorney. The essay tied up nicely by referring back to her hook:

Although I’ve never been in a pub, you could say I’ve been obsessed with bars.

14. College Visits

College visits are an important part of choosing the right school. They help your child get a feel for the campus, the students and professors, and the overall atmosphere of the institution. Visiting colleges inspires your child to finish strong while looking forward with anticipation to the day he moves into the dorm.

Start Early. It’s best to visit all your child’s colleges of choice during his junior year. That way, if your child is accepted to several schools and is still undecided, he can make return visits his senior year to help solidify his decision.

Schedule Online. Universities have online scheduling for their campus tours, but be sure to schedule your visits early as spaces do run out. If your child already knows what he wants to study, call to schedule an interview with the head of that department. A friend of mine’s daughter is interested in studying piano in college. She got a head start and scheduled a tour with her college of choice’s music department the summer after her 9th grade year. She interviewed with the dean of music and got a lot of important information needed to help her prepare for the school’s audition requirements. Music and sports are two areas that often require specific requirements for entry.

See the Students. It’s important to visit during the school week when classes are in session and students are on campus. We were very interested in Furman University when my daughter was applying to colleges. However when we visited, the students appeared somber and serious as they moved about the campus. The tour director focused on Furman’s academic achievements and was quite serious herself. Since my daughter is exuberant and vivacious, she immediately sensed a disconnect with the students. On our way home, we visited Clemson. The minute we stepped out of our car, a whole different vibe greeted us. During the tour, it became evident that Clemson was a school dedicated to school spirit and F. U. N. Our tour director was jovial and animated as he told story after story of the entertaining traditions of the school. My daughter ended up at the University of Georgia, which was perfect for her—a happy mixture of serious and fun.

Choose Walking Shoes. Though some tour guides drive you around campus in a cart, most campus tours require a lot of walking. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes. The best time to visit is in the early fall or spring when the weather is nice.

How about a Road Trip? Many families plan college visits around vacations. This is an efficient use of time and money and enables the entire family to be part of one of the most important and exciting decisions of your child’s life. Why not plan a “college road trip” and visit all your child’s colleges of choice in one week? It’s a good way to compare and contrast the positive and negative qualities as you travel to and from the campus visits.

Don’t be Shy! While on campus, be sure to take time to talk to other students, asking them about their experience at the school. Do they enjoy their classes? How is the campus life? What’s their favorite thing about the school? What’s their biggest complaint? Do they plan to transfer? If so, why? You’ll be so glad you took the initiative to talk to people who are neutral and aren’t trying to convince your child to come to the school.

Read Up. Be certain to find a student newspaper and have your child read it from cover to cover. He’ll get a real flavor for the campus, students, and attitudes. He might find important hidden information that isn’t advertised by the school—like crime reports, student concerns, lifestyles, events, and policies. You may be able to find the college’s newspaper online as well.

Note It. While there, especially if you are visiting several schools, be sure to take notes. It’s easy to forget important information.

Go to Class. Most college tours will give you the option to attend class. Choose a course in your child’s interest. This can be very inspiring for your child and will give you greater insight into the school, the professors, and the character of the students.

Question Time. Before your visits, help your child formulate important questions to ask. Write the questions down so he can ask them during the tour. What does he need to know about housing, dining, academics, extra curricular activities, parking, transportation, or sports? Ask what they are looking for on the college application. How safe is the campus? What is the surrounding neighborhood like? Every student has different needs, so get clarification on those: Is your child athletic? He should ask about club and intramural sports. Is your child introverted? Ask which dorms are traditionally quieter. Does your child want to be in a Greek organization? Ask about the membership process. Does your child long to travel? Ask about study abroad programs. Is your child academically motivated? Ask about the honors program and its benefits.

Money Matters. If you are in need of financial assistance, schedule an appointment with a financial aid counselor to discuss scholarships and ways to increase your financial aid package.

This is a very exciting time in your child’s life! You and he are heading down the home stretch of his education. Make each college visit an adventure, enjoying this unique time with your child. This could be one of the last opportunities you’ll have to engage with and build into him before he flies the coop. Be intentional, but have fun on the journey!

15. Paying for College

If you are worried about paying for college, be aware that there are many ways to make it affordable.

Talent Trap. In an attempt to fund college, some parents focus on their child’s talent in hopes it will earn him a scholarship. There are several issues with this, the first being that the child may not want to play baseball or piano or dance every single day when he’s in college. The second is these activities often dominate the student’s life, making it difficult to keep up with grades and almost impossible to discover the passions and interests that will lead to his future career.

Community College Confine. Most homeschoolers attempt to make college affordable by going to a community college for two years and then transferring to a larger school. This isn’t always the best course of action, as the biggest grants and discounts are offered to incoming freshmen. Unless your child did not take college prep courses in high school and scored below average on the SAT, community college is often not the cheapest option available.

Stop Sticker Shock. Here’s the truth: college doesn’t have to break the bank, and the sticker price is rarely what families actually pay. After grants and scholarships, the average net tuition at private colleges is well under half the published price, and most students at public and private schools alike receive grant aid. Even the most expensive schools can become surprisingly affordable. Don’t let the sticker price be the deciding factor in applying to a college. Colleges want students, even if they have to take less to get them.

The Big Three. There are three main places to get money to pay for college: the federal government, the state government, and the actual college your child will attend. There are thousands of other scholarships out there as well, but they typically only award a fractional amount. Focus on the big three, because that’s where the big money is.

Federal Government. The federal government has money to give and money to loan. Your child may be awarded grants or work-study money he doesn’t have to pay back, or he may qualify for low-interest loans. When your child is a senior, fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid; the FAFSA now lives at studentaid.gov (the old fafsa.gov address redirects there). A few things have changed recently. The FAFSA was simplified, and a new Student Aid Index (SAI) replaced the old Expected Family Contribution. One change matters especially for large families: the formula no longer divides your contribution by the number of children you have in college at the same time, so having several in college at once no longer lowers each one’s expected contribution the way it used to. The maximum federal Pell Grant is $7,395 for 2025-26. There is no income cutoff for filing, and the FAFSA also unlocks state aid and many colleges’ own scholarships, so fill it out even if you think you make too much money.

State Scholarship. Most states offer a scholarship funded by the state lottery. For example, Florida has Bright Futures; Georgia has HOPE; Kentucky has KEES; Tennessee has TELS; and South Carolina has LIFE. There are often rules about how and to whom this money is awarded. In Georgia, the HOPE scholarship and the higher Zell Miller scholarship are not need based; they are earned through the student’s grades and SAT or ACT scores. All four of my children earned one of these awards, each covering 90 to 100 percent of tuition—a big part of how we sent four kids to the University of Georgia without going into debt.

College Cash. Most every college is willing to discuss the price package it offers in order to make attending more affordable. Years ago, one elite private university revealed the kind of average discounts it gave incoming freshmen: figures like $3,000 for simply calling and asking, $2,000 for living out of state, $62 for every “A” on the transcript, $400 for every rigorous course, $1,800 for every strong recommendation letter, $115 for every 10 points on the SAT, and $425 for every point on the ACT. Treat those numbers as illustrative rather than current; they date from the mid-2010s, so add at least a third for today’s dollars, and every school uses its own formula. The larger point still stands. Many colleges, especially big public universities, publish their merit-aid criteria, and some post automatic scholarship grids that guarantee a set award for a given GPA and test score (Alabama, Arizona State, Auburn, and Ole Miss are well known for this). Ask each admissions or financial-aid office exactly how merit is awarded, then compare offers side by side. Below are some tips for negotiating and lowering your child’s tuition bill.

Meet the Deadlines. Be sure you know when everything needs to be turned in. It’s hard to ask for something when you are not showing the fortitude necessary to meet deadlines.

Don’t Call it Negotiating. Colleges don’t like to think of it as negotiating—which is adversarial. They like to think of it as “making it work” for your child to attend their school. Kindly ask them to reconsider the financial package they gave you.

Be Professional. The key to getting a better deal is to be kind, calm, professional, and extremely polite. An angry or emotional parent will do more harm than good. You want them to want your child, right? If they don’t like you, that will reflect on your child.

Be a Fan. Colleges are more willing to offer money to those who truly are committed to their school. They want to see that you love them as much as they love themselves. In fact, that’s why some people use the Early Decision option—to show allegiance. I’ve heard that many colleges actually make a note of every single time you and your child contact the school. Let them know they are your first choice, but that it also must be financially feasible to attend. They’ll want you more if you want them more.

Sell Them on Your Child. Reiterate your child’s accomplishments, highlighting the reasons he would be an asset to the school. Never neglect to brag on your child’s special unique qualities and great character, personality, and achievements.

Stir up the Competition. Very respectfully, without threatening, let them know about the offers competing colleges have made, explaining that your child would rather be at this school. Some colleges actually have a policy to match other schools’ offers. Be prepared to show them the package another college offered. If your child has been accepted at a public university with a lower tuition or has been offered a scholarship, ask the school of choice if they can match that rate. Private colleges are often happy to get some money from you rather than lose you completely.

Explain Your Circumstances. Although FAFSA takes many things into consideration, sometimes there are circumstances beyond FAFSA that make it difficult to pay. Are you supporting an aging parent? Did you have a period of unemployment? Do you have five kids or more? Colleges will take these special situations into consideration when adjusting their tuition packages.

Elite Schools. Here’s a secret that surprises many families: the most expensive schools are often the most affordable, because they have the most money to give. If your family income is moderate and your child is a strong student, don’t cross an elite school off the list because of its sticker price. As of 2025-26, the big-name schools have dramatically expanded free tuition:

Harvard: free tuition for families earning up to $200,000, and families under $100,000 pay nothing at all, with tuition, housing, food, and fees fully covered.
MIT: free tuition under $200,000, and under $100,000 covers essentially the full cost of attendance.
Stanford: no tuition for families under $150,000, and under $100,000 no tuition, room, or board either.
Princeton: most families up to about $150,000 pay nothing, and aid reaches well up the income scale.
Penn: a guaranteed full-tuition scholarship for families earning $200,000 or less.

These thresholds change most years and depend on assets as well as income, so confirm the current figures on each school’s financial-aid page and run its Net Price Calculator to see your family’s actual cost.

Please know that you don’t have to mortgage the house for your children to attend college! There are many ways to make it affordable. For free, legitimate scholarship help, start with studentaid.gov and College Board’s BigFuture Scholarship Search (bigfuture.collegeboard.org), and never pay a website just to search for scholarships.

Many parents have undue anxiety as they consider the expense of a four year college education. It can be overwhelming when you’re focused only on the lump sum peering at you from the college’s website. But don’t be discouraged! Remember, the Lord has already planned where your child will attend college, and He is able to provide exactly what is needed. Seek Him, asking Him to lead you to creative options that will help save on college expenses. You may have to do some hard work finding hidden money, but it will be worth it when you come to the end of the journey and finally set your child on the path God has chosen just for him!

16. Letting Them Go

So you’ve survived the College Crash Course and know everything you need to know to help your homeschooled child find the college of his dreams. It’s been quite a journey, but you’ve been faithful and you’re almost there!

Sending a child off to college can seem like a scary thing. We as moms know there are potholes out there and lots of problems to be tackled. We wonder if our child is fully prepared. We know him better than anyone—his strengths and his weaknesses. And it’s those weaknesses that keep us up at night worrying about the day we release him into the world.

Well let me assure you that you are not alone with these concerns. However, don’t let these worries handicap you. Your child will probably learn some lessons the hard way in college. That’s part of the experience, and we must trust that God’s got this. He’s going to guide your child, protect him, and possibly let him stumble a little so he grows mature and strong. God is more invested in your children than you are. He loves them more than you ever could love them. He wants more for them than you could ever hope for them. He has plans for them that you couldn’t possibly dream up. And He knows exactly what needs to happen for them to overcome their weaknesses and become all that He created them to be.

Take a deep breath and believe God has been a part of your parenting all these years. Believe He’s led you like a shepherd leads His sheep along the way. Believe that your choices in education and parenting were God inspired and will reap a harvest, even if you know you made some mistakes in your approach, philosophy, or beliefs. God knew all that and accommodated for it. You may have failed, but He didn’t. He will use everything for His purposes in the future He foreordained for your children. You planted the seeds, nourished them with fertilizer, and watered and watered and watered. Now release them to grow—knowing you’ve done all that you could. Even if you think you should have done more or have regrets about some things, it’s okay. God allows everything to happen and uses it to accomplish the plan He has for their lives. You weren’t perfect, but you were perfect for your children. It’s time to let them go. Let them grow. Let them become who God created them to be.

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

Be expectant and hopeful. You’ve done a great job! Your child will become all that he is meant to become. Be of faith, trusting that God has gone before him and will pursue and bless him as he travels the journey God has for him.

Keep going, in a workbook built for this

Everything in this guide, your student can work through on their own in My College Road Map, the consumable workbook I wrote with my husband, Jeff. It includes the personality quiz that helps them discover the majors and careers suited to their God-given design, the pages to record courses, grades, and test scores, the application checklists, and the worksheets for campus visits and the admissions essay. It is written directly to the student, and it works from middle school through senior year. Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars by homeschool families.

Get My College Road Map on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1940110432?tag=jeannieful-20