College Prep

Homeschoolers can prepare themselves well for college.  Orem Scholar School classes teach good reading, writing, thinking and study skills.  The school will also offer AP test prep for certain subjects. 

High School Diploma

A high school diploma is not necessary to enter college. Because credits do not transfer freely between high schools, many homeschoolers choose not to "jump through the hoops" to get a diploma. Instead, they concentrate on earning a high ACT score, community involvement, activities and college credits to create a powerful college application.

If you do want to get a high school diploma by accrediting high school work done at home, you can do so through NARHS.  You just need to show adequate evidence for anything you want to be on the transcript.  This service does cost $425 a year, and $525 for the senior year.  

Another alternative would be to take the GED test.  In the past, many people looked down on the GED, thinking it was only for troubled teens and high school dropouts.  However, it is being looked upon more favorably now.  

**UPDATES (7/23/10): 

--Passing the GED will give you a high school diploma

--You can accredit your documentable courses you've done at home through Harmony to get a diploma from Merit Academy.  This is just like NARHS, but free!

New Century Scholarship

In Utah, homeschoolers can take advantage of the New Century Scholarship.  If a high school aged student earns an associates degree in general studies (60 college credits) by August of their senior year, the scholarship will pay for some of their tuition for the next two years of college.  Because of budget cuts, the amount for 2009-2010 is 40%, and 2010-2011 is projected to be 25%.  Even if the student doesn't actually earn their associate's degree, the student will have college credits to transfer when they begin college.  The student will also have a great portfolio to apply for OTHER scholarships, since it appears the New Century Scholarship was a bad idea that is on it's way out.

UPDATE: The state legislature is going to honor the 75% tuition scholarship for those earning the scholarship this year.  The problem is that the state government only promised scholarship money based on the amount in the budget, so the amount for future years can change at any time. 

In Utah valley, a student would earn the New Century Scholarship at UVU.  Click here to see what credits you'd need to earn and how to do it with AP credits.

Testing for College Credits 

You can earn college credits in a many ways as a high school student. These include:

Concurrent Enrollment - a course taken at the local high school with other high school students.  Generally taught by a trained high school teacher or college professor.  Fees would include public school fees, and possibly other fees related to the class.

Distance Education - a course taken at the local high school with other high school students on a live video feed from the university.  These classes are also offered for free except any public school fees and class fees. 

University Classes - courses taken at the local university.  This is the most expensive option.

Independent Study - courses taken through a university correspondence-style.  BYU Independent study courses typically cost around $423 for 3 credits plus text.

AP Tests - students can take AP tests every year in May for a fee of about $85.  If the student passes the test, 3 to 12 credits can be earned.  There are many AP tests that can be taken.  You do not have to take the official AP class, students may study at home.  The tests are taken at a local school (which needs to be arranged well in advance.) 

CLEP tests -  CLEP tests can be taken any time during the year and the fee is about the sameas the AP tests.  However, the CLEP test is not as prestigious as the AP tests.   UVU will accept CLEP test credit, BYU will not. 

Homeschoolers will probably do best to study for the AP tests and exams for the lowest cost method of earning college credit. 

BYU Admissions

In order to be accepted to BYU as a homeschooler without a transcript, it is recommended that student scores at least a 27 on the ACT.  You would also want to have other activities to list on your application to show you are well-rounded.  If a homeschooler attended any high school classes, that transcript also must be included.

BYU gives out scholarships to incoming freshmen based on this matrix.

College credit granted by passing AP tests transfers to BYU, but not CLEP test credits.  If you are transferring college credits to BYU from UVU, BYU has a transfer agreement which lists classes from other universities that will transfer. 

BYU-Idaho does require a high school diploma or GED score; BYU-Provo does not.

George Wythe

You can take online or distance ed George Wythe courses, however, the credits will only be good at George Wythe.  Prospective students can learn more on the site.  I do not believe George Wythe accepts any other college's credits or AP test scores either.

ACT test

The ACT test is a huge factor in college admission as well as winning scholarships, thus it behooves our teens to get really good at taking this test.  

Study Skills

BYU independent study has a course you can take for free here.