Preparing for College

NOTE: Course day and time are to be determined.

On what should the student spend her time in high school? What are her priorities? How does the student tell a story throughout his application that reflects who he is while making him appealing to colleges? How important are test scores anyway? Which college is the right one? How can the parent best serve as both mom and guidance counselor? How can one find the right folks to give great recommendations?

This course seeks to help homeschooling families looking toward college navigate the high school years. Offered by a veteran homeschool parent and successful college application tutor, it is designed to provide answers to the questions and concerns parents and students may be asking as they enter high school and beyond, from planning a student’s course and activity trajectory through high school and creating a solid transcript, to coming to terms with the difficulties presented by today’s intense college application landscape.

The two-hour webinar on [DATE] will be followed by three (FOUR?) hours of personal mentoring by the instructor, scheduled in one-hour increments by mutual agreement over the following seven weeks. For students or parents just entering the high school years, we can focus on discussing values and priorities, course selection, transcripts, and choosing from among the good. For those preparing for the college application season, we can spend that time helping the student write an essay that tells his story, creating a knockout resume, and helping parents create all the formal documentation colleges require as part of the application process. It’s up to you!

Syllabus

1. Heading into High School

   • planning with both the short-term and the long-term in mind
   • focusing on your family’s values
   • investing in your child’s abilities and interests
   • charting priorities
   • crafting a high school record that reflects the individual student
   • plotting course selection/trajectory
   • creating transcripts and understanding state-specific graduation requirements
   • choosing outside courses and activities

2. The High School Experience

   • revisiting the plan, making adjustments as needed
   • pouring into your child, making the most of the time
   • cultivating relationships with mentors and outside teachers (recommendations)

3. What Comes Next?

   • determining whether college is the right path
   • understanding today’s college application landscape
   • supporting the student’s needs
   • making a college list… and checking it twice
   • scheduling time to apply
   • showing “demonstrated interest"
   • explaining the Common App: overview, parent responsibilities
   • becoming a child’s “official guidance counselor: determining what each college requires, and creating a professional-looking product to submit
   • having an essay strategy that works
   • completing other applications and essays (supplemental materials, scholarships)
   • preparing for interviews
   • taking the time to tell your story well

Texts

• none