Will Getting an Accredited Diploma Increase My Chances of Getting into College

Question: I am a homeschooler in the 11th grade, and I am starting to hear that I will need an accredited diploma to get into college. My mother has always chosen my curriculum, and I have never been in an umbrella program that would give me an accredited diploma. What should I do.

Answer: While it is true that accreditation may make getting into college easier sometimes, it is hardly necessary for a homeschooler to get into college. I have heard the same rumors that accreditation (a program that either dictates the students program or oversees it and gives a diploma) has been useful in helping a student get into college, or perhaps get a scholarship. It certainly removes the worry about having to prove to each and every separate college that your accomplishments are equal to or exceeds a high school diploma.

I know in my case, it would have helped to be working with an accreditation agency or umbrella school so my son could attend the local community college for dual enrollment. Even a GED would have have been helpful. In the end, he did not go there for dual enrollment because the requirements for homeschoolers were stringent. Fortunately we had other options.

It seems that it is primarily the public state colleges that give homeschoolers a hard time. If your heart is set on a certain state college and your test scores are not short of astronomical, then you should look into getting your homeschool program accredited.

On the other hand, if your colleges of choice are largely private, or if your test scores are in the 80th percentile or higher, you don't need accreditation to get into college. Most private colleges are very open to homeschooling, having enrolled many in the past and seeing a track record of hard working, successful students. Most of these colleges will want a home made transcript and possibly a portfolio showing what you have accomplished, along with your SAT or ACT test scores. Some will also want to see SAT 2 test scores in different subject areas.

I know many homeschooled students who have been accepted into college with no questions asked. All they have provided was test scores, a transcript, and maybe a portfolio. To help you decide which course you should take, you need to look at the homeshool requirements for the colleges you would like to apply to. I know the colleges my son plans to apply are happy with median or higher test scores, a transcript, and in a portfolio. For this reason, we are not seeking accreditation of his homeschool program.