5 Tips for Homeschool Students Planning for College

Living on a small, rural street, I’ve noticed a growing number of homeschooled students in my own community. According to the National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI), more than 3.4 million students were homeschooled during the 2024-2025 school year, up from approximately 2.5 million in 2019. 

While this growing population may have a variety of reasons for choosing to homeschool (health concerns, participation in competitive sports, a desire to individualize the experience, etc.) there are some early steps a homeschool student can take to make themselves competitive in the college application process. 

Diversify Academic Coursework 

When reviewing applications, one of the primary questions I asked myself was, “Is this student academically prepared for my institution?” 

For traditionally educated students, colleges can often answer that question through the high school transcript and school profile. Homeschool applicants present a different challenge because curricula and grading practices can vary dramatically from family to family. Homeschool students are not at a disadvantage, but admissions counselors often have to look beyond the homeschool transcript to gauge rigor and the student’s academic abilities.   

So, one of the best things a homeschool student can do is diversify their academic coursework. That may mean taking courses at a local community college, sitting for AP exams, or completing online courses. Transcripted academic work outside of the home helps to standardize the measurement of academic readiness and rigor and gives the admissions counselor strong evidence that the student is academically prepared. For example, if a student is applying to a competitive engineering major and successfully completed Calculus II or Multivariable Calculus through a local college, that course offers tangible evidence of readiness for rigorous STEM study. 

Pay Attention to Testing Requirements 

There are still numerous colleges that have decided to remain test-optional but homeschool families should pay close attention to institutional testing policies. Many of the colleges where I worked required an SAT or ACT score for homeschool applicants, which helped us create a standardized benchmark for college readiness. In more selective applicant pools, a standardized test score helps admission officers compare applicants from vastly different educational backgrounds, which is one reason you see the requirement being readopted at more highly selective colleges. 

Beyond the SAT and ACT, homeschool students may want to explore opportunities to take AP exams, again providing another data point to help strengthen the overall academic picture. 

Demonstrate Readiness Beyond the Classroom 

Academic preparation is typically only part of the admission review process. As an admission counselor, I would also ask myself, “Will this student thrive within our campus community?” 

The admissions counselor is often looking for proof that the homeschool student can collaborate well with others, work on group projects, and engage with peers from a variety of backgrounds. It’s not just about building a resume, but demonstrating interpersonal skills, teamwork, leadership, and community engagement. 

Luckily, today’s homeschool students have more opportunities than ever to participate in extracurricular and community-based activities. It is important for them to think about how they are going to build their involvement and, if applying to selective colleges, how they are going to build that involvement over time in a distinguishing way. 

Context, however, matters. Some students are homeschooled because of medical conditions, disabilities, or other circumstances that may limit their ability to engage outside of the home. An admissions counselor will evaluate the student within that context. 

Be Strategic About Recommendation Letters 

There are a growing number of curricula and ways that families are choosing to homeschool. If the parent, however, is teaching the majority of the coursework, the student will want to think well in advance of applications about who might write their letters of recommendation. The parent may still write a letter, but it may not carry as much weight in the admission review process as a professor or community member not directly related to the student. 

Strong additional options for letters of recommendation may include coaches or employers, tutors, or community leaders. This again is where taking courses at a college or online may add value: a professor writing a letter that speaks about the student in the classroom can strengthen an application. It is important not to wait until senior year to think about who these individuals will be. Building strong relationships now will lead to stronger letters in the future.  

Additionally, if the parent is grading and leading the instruction, be sure to complete the parent information section of college applications, so the admissions counselor has context for their background and education. 

Tell the Complete Story 

Ultimately, a strong homeschool application will help the admissions counselor recognize the depth of academic achievement, what the student has learned, and how they have engaged with others. This helps make a perfect match for both the student and the college.