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Applying to California Colleges

Keeping Records College Admission High School Tests

Monday, 29 April 2024

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California colleges can seem a little "unfriendly" towards homeschoolers at times, but it really is possible to attend these colleges as an independent homeschooler.

Let's look at a private college, the University of Southern California (USC). You must provide some additional outside documentation, through testing, like SAT/ACT results, and answer some additional questions on the Common App. They want to know about your homeschooling philosophy, curricular choices, and textbooks used.

To be honest, though, it's not JUST homeschooled kids that have to provide additional testing and documentation. It's also kids who go to unaccredited public schools, or unaccredited private schools. Did you know there was such a thing as an unaccredited public school? Yup! It's true! That's why we don't need to waste our money on accreditation agencies, because we are treated the same as an unaccredited public high school. While they prefer accreditation, it is not necessary. There are just a couple of extra hoops to jump through.

So, let's be clear. USC wants tests and documentation from every applicant. They require additional information in the Common App from homeschoolers - but also from kids who attend a new public school, or an unaccredited public school, or an unaccredited private school.

Now let's look at another school, UC Riverside, which is part of the University of California college system. They have a non-test method of assessment, called Admission by Exception. Basically, the child can explain why they are exceptional and deserve admission without taking tests. They only have a few slots available for this, so I don't recommend taking this route unless absolutely necessary, but it's there is you need it. But look at it again, just for a second. Notice how it says, "some homeschoolers don't have transcripts." You, my friend, CAN and SHOULD have a transcript. It's not too hard, you can easily learn how. This free class will help: Homeschool Parent's Guide to High School Grades, Credits and Transcripts.

Now don't get all worried. UC Riverside actively recruits homeschool students. This quote is from their own website! "Many home-schooled students have been admitted to UC and are successful and vibrant members of our community." This sounds homeschool friendly to me.

Frank Vahid, a professor of computer science, quotes, "Among the homeschool community, we find large numbers of students who are smart, mature, creative, independent and well-socialized people. We want such excellent students in our classes. They have a lot to offer the university community." That sounds pretty good, doesn't it?

They love you; they want you; they just want you to do some extra testing and documentation like many other public and private schools provide. If you want to go there, it's worth the hassle, and if you don't, take your money somewhere else, and shop for a college that's more homeschool- friendly. Either way, don't think they don't want you - because they do!