Calendar Reminders

Freshmen - 9th Grade:
Plan a rigorous curriculum, and don't skimp on math. Here is an example of a typical course of study. Adjust it to meet your needs.

Sophomores - 10th Grade:
Take the PSAT "for fun" in October. Take a sample SAT and ACT test, and see which one you prefer. Learn how to write a 25-minute essay.

Juniors - 11th Grade:
Take the PSAT "for real" in October. You will be asked to list your favorite college. Go to college fairs, and decide on a long list of colleges you want to visit.

Seniors - 12th Grade:
Start college applications! They take a LONG time and a lot of effort, and sometimes scholarship money is "first come, first served." Take the ACT or SAT if you haven't yet, or if you can significantly raise your score by taking it again.

Homeschool Parents:
During the PSAT, students will be asked about their classes and grades, so you may want to explain that to them. It also asks about college majors and career interests. Colleges use that to contact students they want to attract.

Homeschool Grading in the News!

The Harvard Crimson

In a Class of Their Own

How did this homeschooler get into Harvard? He explains in this article. "My mom wrote out exhaustive transcripts for us. Every class we took and what the class consisted of. It wouldn't just say 'English.' It was what texts we used and how the grade was determined."

The Washington Post

Giving Proper Credit To Home-Schooled

"Home-school networks also have proliferated, offering group classes, organized sports, debate clubs and social activities. All of that is helpful to college recruiters, who want to see extracurricular activities and high marks from online courses or community colleges to validate parent-designated 4.0 GPAs."

US News and World Report
A+ Options for B Students

"Don't despair if your grades aren't the best. There's a great college for you, too. How to get in? The key is determining the unique characteristics you have to offer and then finding a college that's looking for someone just like you." This article offers suggestions to help you get into college when you don't have perfect grades.

University of Washington
Homeschooled Applicants Requirements

The UW is sometimes considered to be a "Public Ivy" because of it's strict application requirements. Their applications states: "Homeschooled applicants to the University of Washington must present a homeschool transcript that includes course titles of each subject studied, duration of study, a short description of content, and grade or assessment of performance."

What does this kind of record keeping look like? If you want to see a sample of this kind of high school record, you can go to my website. If you want a larger sample, I also offer a complete "Sample Comprehensive Record" for purchase, so you can see every bit of information I gave colleges. You can see for yourself what successful college records look like! If you want more help, call me! I would be glad to help you! Call The HomeScholar at 206-409-3767.

How to Determine Homeschool Credits

This question comes from Jurene in Spokane, who purchased a transcript last year, and now is planning to create a music appreciation course with the Symphony:

"Dear Lee,
This is where I need your insight. I know we talked much about how much time Ellen spent on different subjects to justify awarding a credit. If you could simply give me a yardstick of sorts. How much time would warrant a credit or a partial credit."

Dear Jurene,

To determine a high school credit by counting hours, most books recommend:

75-90 hours is 1/2 credit

120-180 hours is 1 credit

The hours are how many hours the student spends in total, including time spent reading and doing assignments. When I estimate high school credits, I usually just guess and estimate how much time the student spends. Add up all the experiences you are planning, and see if you have 75 hours or more. If you do, then call it 1/2 credit. If you don't, then say it's a supplement - they can add it to other music and art experiences to make up their own credit. If it is 120 hours or more, then you can call it a full credit. By the way, we LOVED the "How to Listen to and Understand Great Music" course, by the Teaching Company, www.teach12.com. I know they have one on the Symphony as well, by the same teacher.

I hope that helps!

Blessings,

Lee

Strap on Your Auxiliary Brain!

My son Kevin is a chess genius. When he was in high school, he was ranked second in state even though he never had a chess coach like the other kids. Instead of a coach, my husband purchased a high-powered chess program for his Palm Pilot, and he would play Kevin while using the chess program. We used to tease my husband that he was "strapping on his auxiliary brain" when he played with the chess computer in his hand.

Sometimes Moms feel sick with worry about transcripts or course descriptions. If you want to do it yourself, but you are feeling a bit overwhelmed, you can use The HomeScholar as your "auxiliary brain!" We can talk over the phone, and discuss class titles, credit value, course descriptions, grading criteria, and anything else that is wearing you down. I'll give you the brain-power boost, and you can make your own transcript with the information you glean from our discussion. Remember that I don't judge your homeschool or evaluate your children, I'm just here to help if you need me!

US News and World Report
Admittedly Unequal

Many colleges are rejecting women at rates drastically higher than those for men, although engineering is the exception. They recommend that boys emphasize their masculinity and girls consider an engineering major.

Newsweek
The Search for Authenticity

A leading admissions dean explains what colleges really want. It's all about getting the complete picture of a student without packaging by consultants.

Homeschool Blog
Empty Nest Mom Goes to College

A homeschool mom gives us the pros and cons of a community college experience.

Colby Magazine
Late to School

Unschoolers have success with college admissions.

September Reminders

9th Grade:
Plan a rigorous curriculum! See the ACT College Preparation Plan.

10th Grade:
Consider taking the PSAT "for fun." Register for the PSAT here.

11th Grade:
Go to a college fair. Register by Sept. 15 to take the PSAT "for real" Register for the PSAT.

12th Grade:
Start college applications, and take the ACT or SAT. Register for the ACT or SAT for the first or second time.

Parents: Plan your record keeping strategies for the year, and visit a College Fair.

July and August Contest winners

Winner of "A Moment of Peace"
WATCH Convention
Lorrie Flem, Publisher
Teach Magazine

At conventions I usually have a gaggle of teenage girls standing around waiting for the drawing. I carefully mixed up the names, and randomly chose one of the girls to draw the winner. I was careful to make sure that the girl turned her back and covered her eyes when she drew. When the girl looked at the winner's name, she screamed, "It's my Mom! Lorrie Flem is my Mom!" She was SO excited! What a thrill for her to choose her own mother as the winner!

Winner of the July
Newsletter Contest

Renée in Garmisch, Germany

"I've been so impressed with the info in the newsletter, that it was certainly something I thought others would benefit from as well," said Renée.

Winner of the August
Newsletter Contest

Karen Davis in North Carolina

Your Turn to Win!

Win "A Moment of Peace" for yourself! You will have the opportunity to win "A Moment of Peace" at the Pacific Northwest Homeschool College Fair October 27, 2007 at CascadiaCommunity College.

Tip for Younger Students

Children learn all the time, even when we aren't looking - and even over summer! You might want to "pre-test" your children in some subject areas before you start school next year. For example, Spelling Power offers a placement test for their program, and you can check their spelling level at the beginning of each year, to make sure they are learning something new. In most math books, the first chapter or two is review. You can see if your student really NEEDS the review. You can give the chapter one test on the first day of school, and if your child scores well, just skip chapter one, and move on to the chapter two test. Keep in mind that our goal isn't to "teach" something. Our goal is that our children learn something new - something they don't already know.