Homeschooled students are asking questions about what steps they need to take in the college search. This article addresses some of those questions.

What do colleges think of homeschooling?
Christian colleges, in general, welcome homeschoolers with open arms. They're more likely than secular colleges to agree with the philosophical reasons for homeschooling. Many Christian colleges actively recruit homeschooled students.

One Christian college's admissions department notes that "the experiences, learning opportunities and instruction of homeschoolers are unique, beneficial and effective. We open our doors to such students." Another "recognizes the hard work, dedication and self-motivation behind your success in home education."

What do colleges look for in a homeschooled student?
Much the same thing they look for in any student. They want students who can think, speak and write well. They want students who enjoy learning, who tend to be involved in activities, and who are good citizens.

Christian colleges want students who are passionate about putting their faith into action—through the academic environment of the classroom, in the real-world environment of service opportunities, and in their everyday lives.

Colleges also want people who are unique, not only in their personalities, but in the things they've done. Homeschoolers certainly have the opportunity to take part in some "non-traditional" learning experiences, and colleges will be especially interested in hearing about those.

What steps should I take to prepare for college while I'm still in homeschool?
You can take many of the same steps as your friends in public and private schools: Excel in your curriculum, and make sure it's a challenging one. Take the ACT and/or SAT. Get involved in community and church activities, as well as activities organized by your local homeschool association, if there is one. Develop good study habits, good social skills, and good reading and writing skills. Learn to express yourself clearly. Cultivate a high level of curiosity.

What should you be reading? Here are a couple of resources that give you an idea of what colleges will expect you to have read: Reading Lists for College-Bound Students, by Doug Estell, Michelle L. Satchwell and Patricia S. Wright (Macmillan, 1993); or Take & Read: Spiritual Reading: An Annotated List, by Eugene H. Peterson (Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 1996).

And learn to work with others. As a homeschooler, you spend a lot of time working on things alone. Make sure you do some projects—academic and otherwise—with other homeschooled students.

As a homeschooler, you can take advantage of your flexible schedule and pursue "alternative" educational opportunities. You may be able to work in a museum, a national park, or at the local TV station. You might take a class or two at an area college, and you might be able to get both high school and college credit for it.

Do colleges prefer homeschoolers to use a pre-packaged curriculum, or is it OK to design your own?
Either way is OK, as long as you meet the minimum standards required for college admission.

Many colleges require a minimum of 18 units from courses taken in grades 9-12. Colleges often require that most of those units be earned in the academic areas of English, math, science, social studies and foreign languages. Some colleges require at least two years of one foreign language. Check with the colleges you're interested in to see what their requirements are.

There are some advantages to using a pre-packaged curriculum. Lesson preparation is often less time-consuming, and many of these curricula have "stood the test of time." Additionally, some pre-packaged curricula come with a more "standard" structure. For example, tests may be sent to a national center for grading, and there may even be a central office that issues grades, transcripts, and class rank. These things give colleges a helpful standard of measurement, telling them how you "stack up" against other students.

On the other hand, a self-designed curriculum can be more flexible and tailored to your individual needs, talents and interests. One admissions official says he enjoys reading applications from students and parents who have designed their programs "from scratch," as long as they're well-designed and creative.

Note: If you design your own curriculum, you'll have to do more work in record-keeping than if you used a pre-packaged curriculum. Keep detailed records not only of everything you do, but why you're doing it. For example, if you decide to visit every major-league ballpark in America instead of earning a unit in U.S. history, be prepared to explain why you did this and what made it a legitimate alternative to taking U.S. history.

Do colleges require a transcript?
Most colleges will want to see some kind of transcript. They'll want to know what courses you've taken and how you've done in those courses. Most often, that means they'll want to see grades, so keep a record of all your grades. Occasionally, homeschoolers choose not to use grades, opting instead to use the term "mastery" when completing a course. If you're going this route, be prepared to define what you mean by "mastery."

Put yourself in the admissions officer's shoes. At many schools, the application process is competitive; more students apply than are accepted. Admissions officers must make difficult decisions on which applicants to admit and which ones to turn away. Be prepared to "state your case." You need to demonstrate why you're ready for the higher demands of collegiate academics.

So, make your transcript as "standard" as you possibly can. Keep detailed records for grades 9-12. Set a grading scale (for example, 95-100 is an A, 88-94 a B, and so on), and stick to it. Keep records of what courses you've taken, what grades you've earned, what textbooks you've used. Save a brief syllabus and samples of your work from every course.

Some colleges also will accept a detailed "portfolio" instead of a traditional transcript from a homeschooled student.

Some colleges require an accredited diploma or GED (General Education Development) certificate for admission.

How important are my SAT or ACT scores?
They're especially important for homeschoolers. These tests are the most standardized, objective means by which an admissions officer can assess your academic progress—and your college readiness.

It's difficult for an admissions officer to know what grades or GPAs really mean. A "B-plus" in one place isn't necessarily a "B-plus" in another. Your criteria for making a certain grade in a certain course may be higher or lower than another homeschooler's.

This principle applies to more than just homeschoolers. Experts refer to a nationwide trend that they call "grade inflation." One high school, for instance, had seven valedictorians! The next three students were listed as salutatorians, and were given a class rank of No. 2. In other words, this school had 10 students in the top two of their class! Because of several more ties in class rank, the entire class graduated in the top half!

As a result of these kinds of situations, grades, GPAs and class rank become suspect. Colleges might look at a homeschooler's grades with some suspicion; after all, most homeschoolers can claim they graduated No. 1 in their class! So, what does a straight-A average really mean?

Because they're standardized and objective, the SAT and ACT have long been recognized by colleges as the "great equalizers" in this situation. So, yes, your SAT and/or ACT scores are quite important.

So, if you're homeschooled, there's obviously plenty you can be doing now to prepare for college. Follow these suggestions and stay on track, and you'll be well on your way to making your college choice.

Adapted from The Campus Life Guide to Christian Colleges & Universities (Broadman & Holman).