When you consider writing high school course descriptions do your palms really feel sweaty? Do you break out in hives? If so, I have to allow you in on a secret. Not everybody needs to create course descriptions for their high school students. Very cool, huh? Allow me explain how you are able to prevent this oft times dreaded task.
First of all, depending on your state law, you might not require course descriptions to graduate your student from high school. If your student will not be continuing on to college, and your state doesn’t require course descriptions for graduation, then you do not have to bother with it. But be cautious! At times (and I know this will come as a shock) teenagers will really alter their minds about things. No, seriously! Even if a student says “no way” to college now, they might say they wish to go to college later. The moral of the story is BE PREPARED! If and when your little “flip-flopper” finally flip-flops (trust me, it usually happens at the MOST inconvenient time) you’ll be glad you know you can still find techniques to make it to college with out writing course descriptions.
The great news is that not each college demands course descriptions. Check out the colleges that interest you and inquire about their homeschool admission policy. Some colleges want only a transcript. If you ask the proper questions, you are able to discover if your college is 1 that doesn’t want the extra paperwork or the hassle of examining through course descriptions (they can be a wee bit dry). Paula Wasley writes about the rise of homeschooled applicants. She says on the California State University web site:
“But sifting through homemade transcripts, extensive book lists, and portfolios could be unusually time-consuming for admissions officers. Eddie K. Tallent, director of admissions at George Mason University, recently received 1 application that contained a page of explanation for every class listed on the transcript. ‘That was a bit much,’ he says.”
In contrast, the University of Washington Admission policy is always to request a short course description: “Homeschooled applicants must present a homeschool transcript that includes course titles of every subject studied, duration of study, a short description of content, and grade or assessment of performance.” Other schools prefer significantly longer descriptions. This post from Harvard describes 1 applicant’s experience: “My mom wrote out exhaustive transcripts for us. Each class we took and what the class consisted of. It wouldn’t just say ‘English.’ It was what texts we used and how the grade was determined.”
Should you not wish to create course descriptions, look for a college that doesn’t WANT course descriptions. With out investigating, it is difficult to know which college would be an excellent match. Some big, public universities say they do not have the time to read long applications, and they do not want pages of documentation. Other big, public universities distrust homeschool education, and might request for course descriptions as “proof.” On the other hand, a smaller private college might say they’ve no need for course descriptions simply because they base decisions on a transcript or SAT/ACT tests alone. Other smaller private schools might feel they have to determine academic rigor and want comprehensive documentation as evidence of college preparation. My point is that you just do not know what a college will want with an application unless you ask. Not only that, but their policy might alter over time as they grow accustomed to homeschool applicants.
If your child truly wants to go to a college that demands course descriptions, what then? Before you speak to your lawyer about early emancipation choices, rest assured! There are even now methods to prevent writing them! Rather than enrolling in a crash training course in educational (a foreign language that few understand) you are able to hire somebody to translate. You will find individuals who can aid in writing a course description for people who “don’t speak the language.” I know they’re out there, simply because I’m 1 of them! Should you wish to explore what a successful comprehensive record looks like, you are able to check out my web site. Note towards the uninitiated: a flock of individual course descriptions is what I call a “comprehensive record.”
Should you wish to do it your self (homeschoolers do tend to be fairly independent) but you do not speak the language, then think about scrapping the course descriptions and merely create a course list instead – in English. It is like a shopping list of what you’ve done in your homeschool. And like a shopping list, you do not have to use complete sentences! Create a list of experiences or curriculum that you simply used for every class. What about this idea:
Economics
Economics in 1 Lesson by Hazlitt,
Basic Economics audio course by The Teaching Company,
Whatever Happened to Penny Candy by Richard Maybury,
Personal knowledge purchasing and selling on Ebay,
Etc, etc.
That wasn’t difficult, and it was in English, correct? Some thing like this might make an acceptable alternative to full-blown course descriptions. If you use mostly books, then list the books. Try this, for example:
English Literature:
English Literature by (choose a curriculum supplier)
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
David Copperfield by Charles Dickens
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
Etc, etc.
Notice that this looks a lot like a reading list. Numerous colleges will say they do not require course descriptions, but they will request for a transcript and reading list. I frequently wonder if these “reading list” colleges are really just searching for a course descriptions in list format. It is definitely easier to both create and read. No punctuation or grammar required!
Another strategy for getting into colleges with out writing course descriptions is always to go via the “back door.” Rather than going to college as high school students generally do, you are able to visit college the way adults do who continue their education after being in the work force. Your student can document that they’ve a general high school education by passing the GED test. That might eliminate the need for course descriptions. Students can also take college courses at a community college, giving them a foot in the door. Once they’ve proven themselves capable of college work, with adequate grades in a variety of classes, they can move into a university setting. Obtaining an Associates degree (AA or AS) from a community college will document the educational level of the student, rather than your homeschool transcript and course descriptions. Community college has its pros and cons, but it is definitely a viable technique of avoiding intimidating homeschool paperwork.
If your student is young or just beginning high school, you may wish to consider training your self to write course descriptions. In my experience, it seems like there are three kinds of colleges; those that only want a transcript, those that want a transcript plus a reading list, and those that want a transcript with reading list as well as course descriptions. You are able to be prepared for ANY type of college admission if you merely maintain high school records (see my article, “Cubbies, Tubbies and Binder Queens”). Maintain track of what books you use and what excellent homeschool experiences you’ve had. Save them, and later on you’ll have the information necessary to produce course descriptions. Plan ahead by keeping records. Even if you maintain everything in a box, you are able to still go back later and document what is required.
Do not be fearful of college! There are lots of viable methods of getting in. Most colleges adore homeschoolers, and you can easily discover the ideal college that will adore your student and appreciate your homeschool.
