If you're homeschooling your child and thinking about college, you're probably wondering: Will they be prepared? Will colleges recognize their education? How do we handle applications and transcripts?

The good news is that homeschoolers don’t just get into college; they thrive there. Colleges value students who are independent thinkers, self-motivated, and engaged in learning.

Research shows that homeschooled students are more likely to attend and graduate from college. About 74% of homeschoolers go to college, compared to 44% of public school students, and they graduate at a higher rate — 67% versus 59%. But setting your child up for success takes planning.

I’m going through this with one of my kids, navigating the college application process and figuring out how to highlight their unique homeschool experience during interviews.

If college is in your child’s future, here’s what you can do now — whether they’re still in middle school or deep into high school — to make the transition easier.

Use Homeschooling’s Flexibility to Your Advantage

One of the most significant benefits of homeschooling is the ability to tailor education to your child’s interests, strengths, and goals.

If they already have a career in mind, you can help them build relevant skills early. A future engineer can dive into advanced math and science courses, while an aspiring writer can focus on essays, journalism, and creative writing projects.

Homeschooling also allows for deeper engagement in non-academic pursuits, such as athletics, art, dance, community service, and entrepreneurship, giving students the flexibility to explore activities relevant to their interests.

If they’re still figuring things out, that’s completely fine. Encourage them to explore a variety of subjects through electives, extracurriculars, and hands-on experiences. Developing independent research skills and gaining real-world exposure through internships or volunteer work will help them stand out when applying to college or starting their careers.

Keep a Strong, Well-Organized Transcript

Unlike traditional students, homeschoolers don’t receive an official school transcript, so you’ll need to create one.

Colleges want to see a clear academic record, including:

• Core subjects (English, math, science, history)

• Electives, honors courses, or any advanced study

• Dual enrollment or AP classes

• Extracurricular activities, internships, or independent projects

Course descriptions are also important, especially if your curriculum is non-traditional. Documenting your homeschool curriculum clearly on transcripts ensures colleges understand the rigor of your child’s education. Keeping good records from the start will save time and stress later.

We haven’t found a transcript creation tool we’re completely happy with, but if you choose to use one, make sure it connects to Parchment. This will make it easier to send transcripts to colleges and ensure they look more official.

Consider Dual Enrollment or College-Level Courses

One of the best ways to strengthen a homeschool transcript is by taking college-level courses in high school.

Dual enrollment programs allow high schoolers to take courses at local community colleges or online through various universities and earn both high school and college credit. I strongly recommend investigating your local community college, as many have started to offer free tuition for dual-enrollment students.

AP and CLEP exams can also demonstrate mastery of a subject and, in some cases, earn college credit.

Even just one or two college-level courses on a transcript can show admissions officers that your child is ready for higher education.

Make Sure They Can Write a Great College Essay

Writing is an essential skill for college and life. It shapes how we communicate, think critically, and express ideas effectively. For a solid foundation, I recommend the Institute for Excellence in Writing, which offers curricula designed to help students develop strong, structured writing skills that will serve them well beyond their academic years.

When it comes to the college application process, the personal statement is one of the most important parts. Many homeschooled students have unique learning experiences, which can be a huge advantage in telling their stories. Encourage your child to:

• Write about an experience that shaped them, a challenge they overcame, or something they’re passionate about

• Avoid a list of accomplishments — colleges want insight into who they are as a person

• Be authentic. A well-told, personal story is more compelling than a generic “perfect student” essay

Starting early and getting feedback from mentors (or teachers) can help strengthen their essays.

Extracurriculars Matter Even Outside of Traditional Schools

A common concern among homeschooling parents is whether their child will have strong enough extracurriculars. The reality is that homeschoolers often have more flexibility to build a unique, impressive resume.

Some ideas include:

• Starting a business, non-profit, or independent project

• Volunteering in their community

• Joining homeschool co-op debate teams, coding clubs, and athletic teams

• Taking part in competitions (science fairs, robotics, writing contests)

• Participating in competitive club athletic leagues

• Joining local activity clubs like 4H or Boy Scouts

Colleges don’t just want students who check boxes. They want students who pursue what excites them. Pursuing unique homeschool electives can make your kid’s application stand out.

Know the Key Steps for College Applications

Homeschooled students go through the same application process as traditional students, but there are a few extra things to keep in mind:

Standardized Tests (If Required) – Many colleges are now test-optional, but SAT/ACT scores can still strengthen an application. I recommend that high schoolers take the SAT/ACT regardless of whether it's required by the schools they apply to. They should also consider taking AP tests for subjects they're strong in, even if they haven't taken an official AP course.

Letters of Recommendation – If your kids attend a co-op or micro-school, recommendations will be easy to gather. However, since other homeschoolers don’t have school-issued teachers, recommendations can come from tutors, dual enrollment professors, mentors, or community leaders.

The Homeschool Parent Letter – Some colleges request a letter from the homeschooling parent explaining the student’s education and academic progress.

Understanding these details ahead of time makes the process much smoother when senior year arrives.

Homeschoolers Are Thriving in College

If you’re worried about whether homeschooling will affect your child’s chances of getting into college, you’re not alone. More and more colleges recognize the value of homeschoolers.

Their ability to self-direct their learning, manage their time, and pursue independent interests makes them highly successful students.

The key is to plan ahead, keep good records, and help them develop the skills they need for the next step.

As a father going through this process, I can say firsthand that watching my children take ownership of their education and work toward their future is one of the most rewarding experiences. Seeing their hard work, growth, and determination pay off makes every challenge along the way worth it!

Stay tuned for our next article, where we’ll break down how to build a strong homeschool transcript.

And if you missed last week's article, where I share my tips on how to transition from public school to homeschooling, read the blog post here.