You can make the change happen by being assertive and asking for change. Simply asking a college to change their policy might create a better situation for your child – and for all other homeschoolers as well.
Here is how one mother took matters into her own hands, and became socially active to defend the rights of her own child – and in the process made life easier for your child:
“I wrote to the president of the college a couple of weeks ago, telling him that my son would not consider his college because of the
GED® requirement unfairly imposed on homeschoolers. The president replied with the quick answer: GED®, be gone! Here is his letter.”
“Dear Ms. [name withheld],
Thank you for your recent letter. I have been in touch with Martha Merrill, Dean of Admission & Financial Aid, and am pleased to report that she has reviewed our policy that requires the GED® of homeschooled applicants without an official high school diploma and has removed that requirement effective immediately.
Homeschooled students will, however, need to complete the Common Application Home School Supplement to the Secondary School Report form. Our website and catalog are currently being updated to reflect these changes.
I appreciate your communication and Dean Merrill and I both hope your son will keep Connecticut College on his list of colleges to which he may apply.
Sincerely,
Lee Higdon
President of Connecticut College”
This homeschool mother was thrilled with the response from the college. She told me, "I definitely commend the college for responding quickly — and intelligently — to my letter questioning the wisdom of requiring the
GED® of homeschooled applicants.”
The college was thrilled to have another qualified student. This is the perfect solution, a win-win, and a wonderful example of assertiveness! So many moms are scared or nervous about college admission policies. Policies are constantly changing, and you can influence change in the positive direction! Be a positive force for homeschooling. Ask the question. State the obvious. Colleges will listen to you! This template below is free for your use.
Subject line: College Policy Discourages Homeschool Applicants
Dear {University Name} Admissions,
I have a question about your university's homeschool admission policy. You school is not a homeschool friendly college as it has unique requirements just for homeschoolers seeking admission. A homeschool friendly college is one that treats a homeschool applicant the same as a public or private school applicant.
Your homeschool admission policy requires {INSERT DETAILS: an accredited home school program, validation by an outside agency, or successful completion of the GED®} which is on your website here {INSERT LINK or else name of person who told you their policy.}
Your policy is mystifying for homeschoolers, because most homeschoolers are independent, like a private school, and are allowed to provide a diploma. Homeschoolers are not required by law to provide accreditation by their state or produce a GED® to demonstrate successful completion of high school.
Admission policies that require a
GED® of homeschoolers are frustrating. The GED® does have a stigma attached, as it is often used for high school drop outs. Our students have not dropped out of high school. Homeschoolers are willing to provide the
SAT® or
ACT® that other high school students must submit, but the GED® should not be required.
Since 1998 homeschool students can receive federal financial aid without having a GED®. There are public and private high schools that are not accredited. I suggest that you treat homeschoolers the way you would an unknown public or private school, which may not be accredited either.
Our student will not consider a college that institutes a {GED® requirement} because it's an unfair requirement imposed on homeschoolers.
Can you please respond to these concerns, and let me know how you can support applicants that have homeschooled independently? I am eager to hear your response.
Sincerely
{First Last Name}, Home Educator
{Phone number}
The problem is that colleges all have unique, different policies. In addition, college admission policies can change over time, sometimes quite suddenly. This is why, half the time the answer to a question is, “Check with the college where you plan to apply.”
If the college continues to thwart your efforts, you can take your money elsewhere. You can leave the unfriendly college in the dust, and instead choose a college that values home education and spend your money on a college that loves homeschoolers.
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