AboutBruce Expertise Choosing a college, college admission processes, admission for homeschoolers, preparing for the college interview, searching for scholarships, Christian colleges & universities, colleges in general.
Experience 22 years in higher education, including eight in admission and financial aid, 15 years interviewing students for admission and places in honors programs, academic advising, transfer counseling.
Education/Credentials BA psychology. MA Behavioral Science
My name is Corey I am a homeschooled junior and was hoping you could advise me if I am on the right track as far as preparing for college. I hope this isn't too much information but I figured the more info you have the easier it will be to tell if I am moving in the right direction.
I live in NC (Durham County).
I have been home schooled my entire life.
Extra Curriculars:
I have a working student under the UNC-Chapel Hill Equestrian team coach/PE Teacher for the past 5 years.
I have held 2 jobs since I was 15.
I was on my Church's youth Council for 4 years, VP for 1 year, I expect to president senior year.
I've been teaching beginner riding at a summer camp for the past 3 years.
I will be volunteering with a (large-animal) vet this summer.
I've bought, cared for and trained my horse (ex-racehorse) from the ground up with no financial help from my parents. I am very committed to her and that is where the majority of my time is spent out side of school.
I am taking classes at a local community college and I've gotten all A's so far (Biology, Chemistry, intro Sociology, intro Business).
My SAT scores are not great (1790, CR:670, M:520 WR:590 E:8) but have been getting tutoring and feel like I've improved and took the May Sat. My biggest difficulty is math, I am fine with solving equations but taking the word problems and making them equations is difficult for me, I always want to make it more complicated then needed. I LOVE Critical reading and my writing is so so.
I also will be taking the ACT soon and I think I will do better on it than the SAT. I also will be taking SAT IIs - Lit and Bio, I expect to do well.
My GPA is currently about a 3.7 but I am trying to bring it up before the end of the year.
My school courses:
Freshman:
9th Grade English - A
Algebra 1 - B
Physical Science - B
US History - B
Piano Theory - A
Home Ec - A
Spanish 1 - A
Computer Technology - A
Equine Work Study - A
Sophomore:
10th Grade English - A-
Geometry - B
Biology* - A
World History - B
Spanish 2 - A
Equine Work Study - A
Junior:
11th Grade English - B
Algebra 2 - B
Chemistry* - A
World Geography & Civics - A
Sociology* - A
Intro Business* - A
Equine Work Study - A
Expected Senior Schedule:
Summer:
Economics*
Fall:
AP English
AP American Government
Pre-Calculus
Spanish 3
Physics*
Psychology*
Equine Work Study
Spring:
AP English
AP American Government
Calculus
Spanish 3
Anatomy*
Microbiology*
Abnormal Psychology*
Equine Work Study
*Taken through dual enrollment at local Community College.
I will be asking for recommendation letters from both my Trainer (UNC PE teacher/coach) and my Sociology/Psychology teacher (from the CC) both I expect to be excellent.
My goal is to eventually get into UNC's Pharmacy school.
I am really interested in these schools: UNC-CH, NC State, VA Tech, Appalachian, UNC Charlotte, UNC Wilmington, Campbell University.
My biggest worry is my SAT score because I realize that is weighed heavier for homeschool students. Do you think excellent grade at the CC will make up for the poor SAT scores?
Thank you so much for taking the time to read and reply to my questions.
Peace,
Corey
Answer Hi Corey,
Thanks for your question, and for providing so much background info. It is very helpful.
First, let me commend you on the approach you have taken toward college prep. You have done pretty much all the right things; I have just a couple of suggestions for you:
Reading list: I suspect you have read a lot since you started your 9th grade year. If you can compile a list to accompany your college applications, this may be useful. In particular, books that are part of the great literature 'canon'.
Also, please go to the Houghton College admissions web site and look up the home school grade report/curricular template there as a possible way to show your high school year grades, along with supplementary kinds of things you may have done (e.g. field trips). See if this is something you'd want to use. By the way, Houghton is a Christian school with an equestrian center - may be worth checking out.Ditto, I think, for Asbury College in KY.
You can prepare your grade report by year, or by subject. When I was reviewing homeschool students, I preferred thr latter.
Taking the ACT is a good idea; many students do better on it. A score of 26 on the ACT is roughly equal to a 1200 SAT. You can find correlation tables online.
Re: pharmacy school, be sure to know if you can be admitted directly into the program (and most are 7 year D. Pharm programs now), or if you have to start as a general student and then apply to the Pharm school after 2 years - if they employ that approach, be sure to know what kind of GPA you would need and what the acceptance rate is, typically.
You mention that math isn't your strong suit. The chem required of a Pharm program will expect a level of proficiency, so just be geared up for the challenge.
By the way, the college credits in science you are taking may not transfer in to college if you enter as a science major. If it's prep you are looking for than they certainly have value. If it's shortening your college career, those courses may not. Once your college list is shortened, check witht he schools.
One last item, it smooths the way for financial aid of you take the GED once you are done with your high school work, or if you take a federally approved Ability to Benefit test (list available online). If you expect to go to school in NC, then check to see how NC state aid deals with homeschoolers. The GED may be necessary, though I know that taking it is distasteful to some homeschooling families.
I think that's it for now. Let me know if you have more questions.
