HIGH SCHOOL DOCUMENTATION

Colleges need written proof (documentation) of homeschooling. The documentation allows admission officers to rank students with other applicants and determine if a student is capable of doing well. Documentation includes: portfolios, transcripts, standardized test scores, letters of recommendation, student essays, interview reports and other data.

DIPLOMA:
A diploma is simply a certificate of completion. It is not documentation of coursework. A diploma is not proof that a student has met graduation requirements. Both Educational Alliance and Home Ed issue Homeschool diplomas for high school at the conclusion of the high-school graduation ceremony. Diploma templates can also be found on the Internet or purchased at office or school supply stores.

PORTFOLIO:
A portfolio consists of descriptions and examples of the student’s work and accomplishments. Usually the parent also writes a detailed description of the homeschool program.

• Pros: A portfolio may work well for unschoolers – those whose homeschooling is based on student-directed projects and real-world experiences. It may also be best for a student who has developed and/or run a business or who has pursued an interest in-depth.
• Cons: Due to time constraints, most admissions officers follow specific formulas for admissions (grade point averages, standardized test scores, high-school class requirements). Many admissions officers simply will not take the time to analyze the contents of a portfolio.

Portfolios need to be submitted along with college entrance exam scores and all data required for application.

TRANSCRIPT:
A transcript is the standard format used to document course work. It involves a list of coursework along with the grade given for that course. Some transcripts also list course descriptions, the student’s interests and other activities. A thorough transcript should include:

• The specific name of the course, not the text title.
• Completed high school courses and letter grade.
• The words “with Lab” if the science course included a full complement of labs. This way, admissions will know labs were done. Without these, they may assume no labs were done.
• Use of correct terminology. It is also important that both student and parent know what the terminology means (so that student will be able to provide any explanations during a college interview).
• Additional information, such as test scores, student interests and activities, and community service hours can also be documented.

• Pros: The transcript is a familiar format for colleges. It makes it easy for colleges to understand and categorize your student according to their criteria. It gives university personnel the numbers they need. Transcripts serve several other purposes: You may use them to obtain lower driver’s insurance rates (lowered rates are given for good grades). Some states require them to obtain work permits. You may also need a transcript to apply for some scholarships.
• Cons: The transcript will not provide the depth of information that a portfolio will show. This may be a deterrent for students who have chosen less traditional paths of education.