College Preparation

Your guide to helping your son or daughter transition from homeschooling to college.

Choosing a College: Where to Begin

Girl finding out she got into college

Choosing a college for any high school student can seem overwhelming.

Homeschool students that have received a non-traditional education may feel a bit apprehensive going from a home-based learning environment to a large university.

Some homeschool students take a few courses at a local community college as a first step into the college experience.

On the other hand, many home school students start college prep in middle school and adapt extremely well to the college life especially if they do more independent-type study homeschooling for their high school curriculum.

College Application Tips

Applying to college as a homeschool student is a unique situation and can be time consuming so it is a good idea to start early.

Here are some college application tips for home school students:

1. Start the application process early

2. Meet with a licensed Christian homeschool counselor

3. Take a prep course for the SAT/ACT because these scores are especially important for homeschool applicants

4. Contact your state homeschool agencies for community contacts and resources for college bound homeschool students

 

Paying for College

Homeschool students have the beauty of creating their own schedules which allows time to work and travel.

When it comes to paying for college, there are many creative options.

Dual enrollment is an option while the student is still in high school and living at home.

Another option is to work and go to school. Many organizations offer scholarships and grants for homeschool students.

Building Good Study Habits

One of the bonuses of being homeschooled is the ability to learn at your own pace.

Research shows that homeschool students often have better study habits because they are in control of their learning environment.

As they approach high school, many of the courses are independent study which also helps create good study habits.

College Preparation Resources

College Applications: Things to Know

You and your student might not be anywhere close to deciding on a college yet. Perhaps you haven’t decided if he wants to go to college at all! That’s perfectly fine; junior year is a time of preparation more than it is a season of decision. Since you’re in the preparation process, here are some things to know about college applications.

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Why Extracurricular Activities Matter

Drama group, swimming, gymnastics, debate: how do these activities contribute to a student’s academic transcript? More than you think! While colleges will first take into account a student’s tests scores and grades, extracurricular activities provide a complete picture of who the student is and where he’s headed academically.

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Checking In With Your Degree Completion Plan

By now you may be very well acquainted with your student’s degree completion plan (DCP): the list of classes required for his intended major(s). These plans are available on any college’s website or through their admission office. Within it is listed general education courses (100-200 level courses you can CLEP or dual enroll prior to university) and your major-specific courses (300-400 level courses in a specific area of study).

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Does That Awana Award Matter?

Homeschooling grants students an incredible opportunity to impact their community. The freedom of a homeschooling schedule allows homeschoolers to do much more with their time than the standard student. Because of this, many homeschoolers graduate high school with both a diploma and an extensive resume.

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What is the FAFSA?

If your student is college bound, “FAFSA” will soon become part of your vocabulary. FAFSA is an acronym for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid: a form filled out by families of college-bound students. This form helps the federal government estimate ho w much financial aid your student is eligible to receive. Eligibility for the Pell Grant and Stafford loans is determined by filing the FAFSA. Some colleges require the FAFSA before students qualify for any scholarships from their institution.

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What to Expect When It Comes to Testing

Standardized testing: It’s every homeschool parent’s favorite topic… or not! Your ninth grader may not have the ACT or SAT on her radar right now, but that is precisely why this is the best time to prepare. Students who know what to expect on standardized tests are far less likely to be intimidated by them – and far more likely to achieve high scores.

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CLEP, AP, and the PSAT

A few months ago we talked about dual enrollment: a fantastic way to save time and money for your student’s college education. (If you haven’t already signed up for a class or two, pick up your local community college catalog or check out the possibilities for online dual credit!) But dual enrollment isn’t the only way to save time and money for college. In this email, we’ll discuss three alternatives that – when used alone or in conjunction with dual enrollment – can help your student achieve her college dreams without the usual time and expense.

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The Truth About Financial Aid

Last month we talked about avoiding college debt. Financial aid is a big part of that conversation, but what exactly is financial aid? Many families who have not yet sent a child to college – or who didn’t attend college themselves – are prone to think financial aid is solely made up of scholarships. When colleges advertise, “6.1 million in financial aid!”, they aren’t sharing the whole picture.

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How to Choose a Major

If you’ve started applying for scholarships already, you may have noticed that some scholarship applications are already asking your student to indicate a major of study. But not many sixteen-year-olds have a firm grasp on what they want to do with the rest of their lives! It’s completely normal for your high school student to delay choosing a major as she explores her interests and passions. However, it’s also helpful to have a general direction for her academic path. Choosing a major starts in high school, and narrowing down potential careers is easier than you’d think.

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Tutors, Testing, and the Tenth Grade Year

When I was being homeschooled the first month of the fall semester was my favorite time of the year. My books were new, the leaves were changing, and I couldn’t wait to tackle the list of books assigned for that semester! It might not feel like fall quite yet, but chances are your family is back to school after your summer break – ready to tackle another year of learning!

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Big Picture Planning

If there’s one thing homeschool parents view with trepidation, it’s the transition from middle to high school. This season contains a whole new level of accountability and pressure as your child enters his ninth grade year. The grades he achieves, the tests he takes, and the transcript he compiles has the power to determine future decisions about college and career. It’s no wonder parents are nervous about homeschooling the high school years!

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The Skinny on College Debt

Do you have to go into debt to attend college? Many people say you do. A quick glance at the finances of most recent college graduates would further prove their point: Debt is normal, even unavoidable, in today’s college culture. But is this entirely true?

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The Importance of Study Skills

The fall term is only a few weeks away, and your junior is already nervous. Between standardized tests, dual credit classes, and his normal homeschool workload, this year is shaping up to be a lot of work! Well, here’s some great news to alleviate those nerves: incorporating study skills into your homeschool routine will help your student not only retain all the information he’s learning, but increase his chances of high test scores and a great GPA. Here are some study skills to start working on this month:

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How’s It Going?

Senior year is just around the corner. Where has the time gone? Twelfth grade is the culmination of these years of hard work, discipleship, and patience. And at the end of this year, a homeschool graduate will stand before your family.

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Getting a Jump on Testing

It’s midsummer and the season of barbecues, pool days, and sunscreen – the last thing you may want to think about is standardized testing! Though not the most thrilling of subjects, now is the time to consider how your student will begin the intentional preparation that will equip him for the SAT and ACT.

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Transitioning from Homeschool to College

Often times homeschool students are more prepared academically than their traditional high school student counterparts.

Getting involved in community activities during middle school and high school can help with the social aspect of learning to get along with many different types of people.

Taking classes at a community college can help bridge the gap from homeschool to college.

Another option is to take one campus class and one online class as a hybrid approach.

Join TTD365 for Even More College Prep Resources!

Teach Them Diligently 365 is an online homeschool community and homeschool resource library designed to help you make the most out of your homeschool experience.

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TTD365 Audio Resources - College Prep (Members Only!)

Choosing a College/Major/Career: It’s Better to get it Right than Fast

Speaker: Jeff Reep In light of the fact that 66% of college students change their majors more than once and on the day of graduation 40% of college graduates wish they had a different major, it’s important to start early and take this decision seriously. Individuals often make decisions without much thought and with limited […]

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Thinking of taking a Gap Year?

Speaker: Brian Tanedo For years, you’ve instilled biblical values and guided your children through life. Now, as they prepare to leave your home, you can trust us to do the same. The Word of Life Bible Institute is an accredited, collegiate-level program where students spend one to two years studying the Bible and living in […]

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High-school/College Track Overview Session

Speaker: Matthew Bullington Have a teen? In this session TTD’s guidance counselor, Matthew Bullington, will outline the high-school sessions, and discuss how to get the most out of this conference for your high-school student. We will also do an overview of transcripts, credits, and mindset for success in high-school! Listen Now

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College Prep 101: How to Use Your Time So You Can Have a Life in College

Speaker: Mark Pruitt Time Management is THE BIGGEST challenge for every student. Learn ways to get more done in less time so you can have a blast in college. Listen Now

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A 4-Step Guide for Homeschooling High School

Speaker: Matthew Bullington Want to know what your teen should be focusing on to prepare for college and a career? In this session we will break high-school down into four crucial phases that build on each other, and give you the tools to determine what should be the priority for this next year, how to […]

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Out of the Box “Teenschooling”

Speaker: Rebecca Spooner Have some anxiety about high school? You aren’t alone! In this session, Rebecca talks about the teen years: how to keep your kids interested and break the narrative that finding something accredited or rigorous is the only way! You have a whole lot more options than you think you do. Yes, you […]

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Remain Steadfast During High School

Speaker: Connie Albers Your teen is changing, and they need you to stay the course through the most critical years of your homeschooling journey? While they struggle to figure out life, your steadiness helps them navigate the adulting process with less stress and great confidence. When you understand how to navigate the high school years, […]

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College Tools Simplified

Speaker: Matthew Bullington The number of standardized exam and expedited credit options has grown dramatically over the past several years. It can be overwhelming to determine what tools you should be utilizing (and when). In this workshop we’ll categorize and simplify the different options your teen has when it comes to standardized exams and college […]

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Preparing Your Students for College (It’s easier than you might think.)

Speaker: Pat Wesolowski How can a parent be sure their students are prepared for life after high school? When do you begin preparing and what all do you need to do in order to be sure your students are prepared for college? With intention and well-planning, it is not difficult to homeschool your high school […]

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Choosing a Major/College/Career: It’s Better to get it Right than Fast

Speaker: Jeff Reep In light of the fact that 66% of college students change their majors more than once and on the day of graduation 40% of college graduates wish they had a different major, it’s important to start early and take this decision seriously. Individuals often make decisions without much thought and with limited […]

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Is College (Still) Worth It? Data-driven insights to support the next generation

Speaker: Dr. Tim Rees Does the old axiom that if you have a college degree you will earn a half million dollars more over your lifetime than if you only have a high school diploma still hold true? Aren’t colleges just raising the price every year and forcing students further into student loan debt? Isn’t […]

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Dual Enrollment: When, Where, Why and How?

Speaker: Stephen Buettell There’s a national trend for students to take college classes while still in high school at increasingly younger ages. This presentation will provide an overview of how parents can know if their child is “college-ready” and what students should consider before enrolling in a dual credit course. Listen Now

Read More »

Helping Your Teen Find a Career Path

Speaker: Matthew Bullington What do you do if your teen has no idea what major/career they want to pursue? Or maybe they have an idea, but you’re not sure they really understand what’s involved (or the likelihood of getting a job)? In this session we’ll give you a 3-step framework to help your teen explore […]

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Round Rock, TX Audio Collection

A 4-Step Guide for Homeschooling High School

Speaker: Matthew Bullington Want to know what your teen should be focusing on to prepare for college and a career? In this session we will break high-school down into four crucial phases that build on each other, and give you the tools to determine what should be the priority for this next year, how to […]

Read More »
Round Rock, TX Audio Collection

College Tools Simplified

Speaker: Matthew Bullington The number of standardized exam and expedited credit options has grown dramatically over the past several years. It can be overwhelming to determine what tools you should be utilizing (and when). In this workshop we’ll categorize and simplify the different options your teen has when it comes to standardized exams and college […]

Read More »
Round Rock, TX Audio Collection

Helping Your Teen Find a Career Path

Speaker: Matthew Bullington What do you do if your teen has no idea what major/career they want to pursue? Or maybe they have an idea, but you’re not sure they really understand what’s involved (or the likelihood of getting a job)? In this session we’ll give you a 3-step framework to help your teen explore […]

Read More »
Round Rock, TX Audio Collection

Choosing a Major/College/Career: It’s Better to get it Right than Fast

Speaker: Jeff Reep In light of the fact that 66% of college students change their majors more than once and on the day of graduation 40% of college graduates wish they had a different major, it’s important to start early and take this decision seriously. Individuals often make decisions without much thought and with limited […]

Read More »
Round Rock, TX Audio Collection

Dual Enrollment: When, Where, Why and How?

Speaker: Stephen Buettell There’s a national trend for students to take college classes while still in high school at increasingly younger ages. This presentation will provide an overview of how parents can know if their child is “college-ready” and what students should consider before enrolling in a dual credit course. Listen Now

Read More »

Dual Enrollment: When, Where, Why and How?

Speaker: Shellie Doub There’s a national trend for students to take college classes while still in high school at increasingly younger ages. This presentation will provide an overview of how parents can know if their child is “college ready” and what students should consider before enrolling in a dual credit course. Listen Now

Read More »

Choosing a Major/College/Career: It’s Better to Get It Right Than Fast

Speaker: Jeff Reep In light of the fact that 66% of college students change their majors more than once and on the day of graduation 40% of college graduates wish they had a different major, it’s important to start early and take this decision seriously. Individuals often make decisions without much thought and with limited […]

Read More »

Simplifying College Prep

Speaker: Matthew Bullington There are a lot of options out there when it comes to college preparation. Do we dual enroll? Take the AP, CLEP, DSST? Is the PSAT necessary? How do I decide between the ACT/SAT? Should I take a gap year? If my child has no idea what he/she wants to do, should […]

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Graduating College Debt-Free and Early

Speaker: Samantha Shank Homeschool graduate Samantha Shank used the flexibility homeschooling offered to help her graduate from college debt-free and early, all while building a business. Learn the tips and tricks for earning college credits in high school, strategically developing a good schedule, and the memory technique Samantha used to study throughout college. Whether you […]

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Dual Credit Through Co-ops….Is It Possible?

Speaker: Kathy Burt TEL is excited to present to you a new option of dual credit. If you are a leader or participant of a co-op group, we invite you to come join us as we lay-out the details and the process of earning college credit through your co-op classes. Listen Now

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Struggling Learners in High School and College

Speaker: Hal and Melanie Young At eleven, one of our boys was just learning to read and at fourteen he still struggled to spell three-letter words. Little did we know that he’d be reading ancient philosophers for fun at seventeen and that he’d go to college on a full academic scholarship! In this workshop, we’ll […]

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Giving Your Teen Direction in an Uncertain Year

Speaker: Matthew Bullington How can you give your teen guidance on planning for a career path when the whole world seems to be upside-down? The past year has brought a lot of changes to the college-prep process, from test-optional application options, changing deadlines, and rapidly evolving standardized exams. We’ll cover the biggest changes for the […]

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