When it comes to the college admissions process, students and parents today recognize the importance of good SAT and/or ACT scores, particularly for those students applying to prestigious universities or hoping to receive scholarship funds. Parents shell out thousands of dollars for prep classes and private tutoring for the SAT/ACT, while students devote anywhere from six weeks to two years preparing for the “big” test—the test upon which they believe all their hopes and dreams of attending a particular school rests. Unfortunately, for many students and parents, the SAT/ACT takes on exaggerated importance, which can negatively impact students’ performance not only on the SAT/ACT, but also the other (often overlooked and undervalued) standardized tests that play a role in college admissions decisions. For homeschooled candidates in particular, the significance of standardized tests like the SAT Subject Tests (SAT IIs) and AP Exams should not be underestimated: These tests provide colleges with objective evidence that the homeschooled applicant has mastered a given subject area and possesses the critical thinking skills needed to succeed in college. (more…)

By Chris Yust, Homeschool Programming, Inc.

You no doubt already have the basic subjects covered in your curriculum: Reading, writing, math, history, arts, science, geography, social studies … all of these things have an endless variety of resources available to you! None of them are likely to be that intimidating to teach either; after all, those topics were part of your own fundamental education! But how are you going to handle Computer Science?  Today this critical subject is more important than ever, yet many teachers and homeschool parents are not sure how to get started!

Growing Up in the Digital Age

Kids in school today have never known life without the Internet, laptops, cell phones, and a dizzying array of computer games. Your students may be more techno-savvy than you are! Using email, word processing programs, web browsers, and social networking tools are probably second nature to your plugged-in children. But how much do they really understand what is going on underneath the exterior? (more…)

The transition from a homeschool education to a public college can be difficult one. But as is the case in Ohio, there can be benefits from this transition when public school is considered for what would be the final two years of high school.

In Ohio, Great Oaks Career Campuses is a public career-technical school district with four campuses where homeschoolers will be able to attend a campus for their junior and senior years to become certified in one of dozens of professional fields. This opportunity to also simultaneously earn college credit would have otherwise not been possible for homeschoolers if they had decided to continue their homeschooling curriculum for those last two years.

While college-bound homeschoolers might have the knowledge and skill sets necessary in order to do well in a future career, employers today still take into account proper educational credentials through accredited colleges and universities in their hiring process. Once a homeschooler is of age to take advantages during the window of opportunities between their late teens and their freshmen year of college, they can start researching their local options for getting college credit for the subjects they are most interested in. Doing this will help save money in the long-run when students avoid paying for freshmen-level general education classes upon their arrival to a college or university.

If you wish to view the original article that this blog was based on, please see here.

Homeschooled students are accustomed to studying on their own schedule, at home, so it’s not surprising to learn that some of these students want to keep their independence when they go on to college.

Indiana University gives these students the opportunity to earn their college degree from home. By taking courses through the undergraduate Independent Study Program, students can earn an Indiana University Associate of Arts in General Studies (60 semester credit hours) or Bachelor of General Studies (120 semester credit hours). (more…)

www.collegeassistanceplus.com/hanford/index.html
E-mail: srobinson@collegeassistanceplus.com
2056 Independence Pl.
Hanford, CA 93230
Ph: 559-707-2688

Your child wants to attend college – maybe a major university with lofty standards and billing to match. Where do you start? What does it cost? How will you ever do this alone? You won’t have to if you contact College Assistance Plan of Hanford.

Parents everywhere know that the long journey from high school junior (or earlier) to college freshman is daunting and can be fraught with peril. . . for parents and students. If your child wishes to attend a school in the top 500 nationwide, you and s/he will have a huge amount of work to do to prepare for the SAT and other college entrance assessment exams; figure out the financial aid landscape and how to fit into it to best suit your situation; plan campus visits, housing and much more. (more…)

www.uexceltest.com

Homeschoolers deserve to get credit for all the hard work they do… college credit. How can your student build up an impressive transcript that documents advanced learning? How can you inspire your self-motivated teen? Consider all the benefits of credit-by-examination programs. These programs allow homeschooled students to earn college credit in undergraduate subjects while still in high school. There are two other big advantages: your student saves time on the path to higher education and you save significant dollars in college tuition costs. (more…)

By Janice Campbell

I like to make things simple. There are few things sadder than a homeschooling parent who would like to homeschool through high school, but is considering giving up because keeping high school records and creating a transcript sounds like an insurmountable challenge. I’ve been through the process four times with my own sons, and I’d like to share the basic steps that helped make recordkeeping simple. If you’re like me and you’d rather spend time with people than paperwork, you may find this five-step process helpful as well. (more…)

A student’s entire future can hinge upon the success of the college interview. Those thirty minutes could be the difference between Harvard and a community college, or scholarships and student loans. An applicant’s potential can be determined by just this one meeting. Preparation is of the utmost importance. Students can lessen the stress and heighten the success of their college interview by knowing some simple guidelines. (more…)

By Emerson Sandow

Since the early 1980s, the Pell Grant Program has provided much-needed relief to students from a variety of secondary educational backgrounds, including those attending vocational schools in such programs as two-year nursing certification, court-reporting, paralegal, and legal secretarial, as well as the standard two- and four-year college paths. (more…)

Although the nationwide unemployment rate averages about 10%, that rate for 2009’s high school graduates is as high as 35% (according to the U.S. Dept. of Labor). This startling statistic is a wakeup call that our school-aged children have to do more than earn an education so they can someday perform the job they want; they also need to learn how to find, secure and keep it.

That’s what makes QuickCert’s new Employability Skills Training so timely. Developed and taught by a 30-year Human Resources vet, the 12-lesson course provides students with the know-how they need to secure long-term employment; and includes insider tips on resume preparation, job seeking, interviewing, acceptable work habits, coping with criticism and career management. Plus, the course’s interactive exercises will ensure your child has his or her own resume and networking list ready to go by the time it’s over. (more…)