As a parent working to prepare your homeschooled student for college, you already know that his/her transcript is not the only information source admissions offices review. Credentials are definitely important, but some colleges might pay as much attention to a student’s portfolio as they do their transcript and diploma.
So what’s a “student portfolio” and how can you as a homeschool parent work with your student to develop a file that will positively complement official college application documents?
Traditionally, a student portfolio pertained to art school and artistic work produced by an art school applicant – or perhaps to writing samples created by students hoping to be accepted into a prestigious writing program. In today’s world, a homeschooled student can add credibility to their college application package by including a portfolio that illustrates the range of skills they have accumulated in high school, including:
- Personal goals,
- Organizational talents,
- Time management skills,
- Good study habits, and
- Extra-curricular activities.
If you, as a parent, take the time to help your student develop a portfolio package, the odds are good that colleges will get the idea that your homeschooled student is interested in maximizing their potential and will do well in a college atmosphere. Remember that, when your student applies to colleges, he/she may be called upon to demonstrate that their knowledge base is broad enough to handle moving into an atmosphere where their thoughts and ideas are challenged by students and teachers whose ideas are very different, from both an academic and a cultural standpoint. Demonstrating a strong life-knowledge and experience base can be a valuable approach for homeschooled students applying for college admission.
To further prepare your homeschool student for the diversity and cultural variety they will experience in college and teach them the hard-wired skills they will need to compete successfully in their new world, consider the following approaches:
- Work on note-taking skills – Teach effective note taking as part of your homeschool class program and include the skills as part of your grading system. Start with guided notes or perhaps a commercial note-taking system.
- Help your student listen and learn in a lecture format. Homeschooled high school students can benefit from taking a class outside the home that’s taught in a lecture format.
- Teach your student how to learn from a textbook – if your homeschool classroom process has been primarily digital, your student will have to get used to actual textbooks in college. Your student will have to know how to read carefully and be prepared to participate in discussions; determine how the textbook complements lecture content; know details such as tables, charts, and footnotes from the textbook; read textbooks “for the big picture;” and how to use textbooks as references.
- Assist your student in building computer and technical skills. A student entering college without substantial computer skills will have a much harder time adjusting to campus life than will a student who is computer literate.
- Prepare your student for the diversity of a college campus – Building positive identities and a respect for differences is one of the most important things you can do for your student as they prepare for college life. Try to promote an “inclusive” classroom free of racism and bigotry. Study other cultures and religions so your student knows there is more than one correct way to view most situations. Teach them how to deal with moral differences.
In closing, if you, as a homeschool parent, structure your student’s college preparation process by building on their particular interests and passions, your student will matriculate into the world of higher education with a set of skills that will serve them well in college and the work world. And you might surprise yourself and learn something useful in the process!
Taking a variety of electives can help your student’s high school experience stand out among the sea of college applications. United Digital Learning offers numerous high school electives at an affordable monthly price.
