Home school High School and Into College

More Info on Foreign Language Requirements

2011-11-03T11:21:00.000-07:00

Some more info that we found out last week . These are options for students (high school dual-enrollment --- and I believe also college students who are planning to take Spanish at SFC)

My daughter and I had an appointment with Dr. Little, head of the language department at SFC. to determine what route Nevis should take in regards to either Spanish 1 (SPAN 1120) and/or 2 (SPAN 1121) while at SFC . After sharing information with us, he suggested Nevis could make an appointment with Professor Alicia VonLehe who could evaluate Nevis to determine the route she could take. I didn't get to talk with Ms. Von Lehe (not in office), but was transferred to the high school Spanish teacher. This teacher told me that Ms. VonLehe developed a test that students can take to eliminate having to take the first level of the college Spanish However, what ever grade is received on the test IS the grade the student would be given for SPN 1120 (Spanish level one). This may be the drawback for my daughter since her and tests do not mix well, so I am not thinking this will be the option we chose.

Regarding taking the CLEP at SFC - one needs to go to the assessment center (bldg G) and get a form to take to the academic/program adviser (for HS stds - the dual-enrollment counselor) for approval and signature. Next you pay $30 (for SFC to administer test). Then you go back to assessment center and pay $70 CLEP test fee. You will make an appointment, then, to take the test (so you cannot just walk in and take the CLEP like a student could to take the CPT). Again, based on scores a student will either NOT "CLEP out" Spanish or could CLEP either first level only or both levels. AND AGAIN, please check with the specific university your child might enroll in to make sure they accept CLEP as a course substitute on transcript. BY the way, a student ONLY gets college credit for the subjects CLEPPED; they do not get a grade, and CLEP will not be used in computing the students GPA .

(this info provided to assist you; please confirm for yourself in your std's specific situation. You can call college admissions at the universities or check websites)

Feed Back on Foreign Language Requirements

2011-11-03T11:19:00.000-07:00

Here is some feedback affirming a couple things about foreign language requirements !

Very good info. One thing we ran into was the major our son choose (political science) has some other stips on the foreign lang so even though he had 2 years of Spanish through FLVS he had to take 2 more at UF.

However they did say if he had them through dual enrollment he would not have had to repeat so might be a better idea to take as DE if you are in it.

Foreign Language Requirements

2011-11-03T11:16:00.000-07:00

Hello all,

I was asked for info regarding foreign language requirements. The info given below is specific for UF; you would need to confirm with the admissions office at UF or other universities as you plan out your student's high school classes.

UF admissions AA degree transfer - must have 2 years DOCUMENTED foreign language during high school OR documentation of 8-10 hours of college level foreign language (same language) - DOCUMENTATION for these has to be through a regionally accredited program - IE: Fla Virtual, dual-enrollment, public school. Student can take the 2 semesters language (college level) while in "high school" or during the 2 years while seeking AA degree. Another option of documentation is through scoring more than 430 on a SAT II Language test (that is the score for Spanish; could be a different score for another language) . The last option is via CLEP test. A high school std can CLEP out of the first semester of a college level Spanish class with a score between 50-65; can CLEP second level of a Spanish course with score more than 66.

Remember languages in college - one semester college level equals one year high school level. College level language class count for 4 college credits (rather than typical 3 credits for college level classes - that is why a student needs "8-10" hours of foreign language in college if didn't take in high school).

For homeschoolers documentation cannot be via "Rosetta Stone" program or another similar type program and then written on a transcript a parent generates.

NOTE: if std seeking freshman admission to UF std would need 2 years high school Spanish via above methods or could earn 2 semesters of college level to meet admission requirements via dual-enrollment, but would need to complete this BEFORE high school graduation !!!

My suggestion would be to get the 2 years of high school foreign language done before graduation via accredited organization especially if you do not know what your stds plans are for after graduation. If std would be dual-enrolling and could get in 2 semesters of college level language PRIOR to high school graduation this would count for 2 years high school credit AND 2 semesters college credit (typically 8 hours for both levels). An option would be to CLEP one or 2 semesters - did read for a std to CLEP one or two semesters college level language, the std should have had 2-3 years foreign lang. study).

IT IS MOST IMPORTANT to know where the student plans to attend college because in many cases college-level foreign language courses may be required in certain degree programs as pre-reqs. THE SOONER your student KNOWS the route they are taking AFTER high school graduation, the EASIER it will to MEET entrance requirements for a college or requirements for a scholarship, etc !

Bright Futures Power Point Presentation

2011-11-03T11:08:00.001-07:00

I ran into a great "power point" presentation regarding Florida Bright Futures scholarships that I wanted to share with you.

I think this power point might be used for presentations to students and/or parents. I found it a good review of information. It is from 2009-10, and most of it would still be applicable in the coming year or two. We did discuss this topic at the November HS through HS meeting; remember that SAT/ACT test scores requirements for homeschoolers will continue to be raised over the next couple of years. See this website for that info: http://www.da-arts.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/bf_initial_eligibility_requirements_2009-10_students.pdf

And check this website for the power point presentation:

http://www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org/SSFAD/bf/newsrenew.htm

Here is the website link for Florida Bright Futures homeschool applicants:

http://www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org/SSFAD/bf/homepac.htm

By the way, for questions you can contact the Office of Student Financial Assistance at 1-888-827-2004. I have called before and got answers.

You may also email questions to :

OSFA@fldoe.org

UPDATE: Bright Futures

2011-11-03T11:04:00.001-07:00

Bright Futures scholarship requirements and especially that mentioned below here. Also click on the link I am providing for specifics on requirements and awards for those graduating over the next couple of years. Refer back to this site often to become familiar with the requirements and to begin the application process in January of the senior year.

2011-12 Awardees

Students are now required to submit a complete, error-free FAFSA for Bright Futures, Florida Resident Access Grant, and Access to Better Learning and Education Grant initial and renewal eligibility any time prior to disbursement. No FAFSA = No $

2011-12 High School Graduates

Increase in community service requirement (and hours increase for Florida Academic Scholars) for all three Bright Futures award levels. Bright Futures Florida Academic Scholars (FAS), Florida Medallion Scholars (FMS), and Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars (GSV) during the 2011-12 academic year, and thereafter, must complete:

FAS – 100 hours (my comment - prior years required only 75 hours

FMS – 75 hours for FAS and none for other levels --- I think this IS

GSV – 30 hours good for the student, though)

NEW: The Florida Department of Education is required to approve home education community service hours for Bright Futures initial eligibility.

A pilot program was created at the University of Florida to provide for a Bright futures cohort of initial students whose program funding will be limited to spring and summer on-campus classes beginning with the 2012-13 academic year.

Click on this link to the website to READ and EXPLORE so you are well-informed on what your student (and you need to do). As homeschool parents, we are the "guidance counselor" during our teens high school years...and this does require time as you need to "learn as you go".

http://www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org/SSFAD/bf/

Santa Fe College Dual Enrollment

2011-11-03T11:01:00.001-07:00

UPDATE: New web address for Dual Enrollment at Santa Fe College www.sfcollege.edu/dualenrollment/index.php

2010-09-10T11:01:00.000-07:00

PSAT

this is the student guide which has all the info: National Merit

The homeschool code: 991099Florida
Using this code means you will get the score and not the school where your student is taking the test. Give this code to your student as the testing site might not have this code for homeschoolers - put the code in the "school code" section on the test answer sheet.

HSLDA (homeschool legal defense association) encourages all homeschooled students who are taking this test to use the “Homeschool Code” for their state. Also collegeboard.com (the PSAT and SAT test makers) says this on their website: "If you're a home-schooled student, your PSAT/NMSQT score report is sent directly to your home address. On the test day, when completing the basic information on the answer sheet, be sure to enter your state's home school code in the "school code" section. "

There is mention on page 5 about only qualifying for the National Merit status when taking the test in the Junior year (of a 4-year high school time line). It doesn't say you cannot take the test in the sophomore year, but that it just does not count for scholarships because you need to take the test the in the junior year of high school. Even if your student (in 11th gr.) gets a great score, there are more steps to take and applications and deadlines ,etc. I'll tell you UF takes 70 national merit scholars; Texas A and M (I think it was) takes over 100; most big public universities will fund a few students, but most are like 15 or less.

Also after about page 25 there is mention of what I was talking about (and one reason to maybe take the test in 10th grade) - gaining the access code from the student's PSAT score sheet that allows you to access to the college planning section of the collegeboard.com website.... including answers and explanations to your student PSAT after he has taken it, personality test, a practice SAT test,college and major matching, college planning, etc.

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PSAT test -when, how, what, why, etc.
This test is October. On the College Board website put in a search for PSAT and follow links to search for locations in your city or in your zip code. Many schools offer this to homeschoolers (private and public).... you will need to make sure they will have the test for you student as they need to order test booklets.

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PSAT Online Course
PSAT Online Course

Steps to Dual Enrollment at Santa Fe College

2009-08-19T13:16:00.000-07:00

First I want to clear up something about CPT (college placement tests). These tests are NOT pass/fail tests. They are only used by the dual-enrollment counselors to “place” homeschool 11th and 12th grade students in appropriate level classes.

Up-coming 11th and 12th grade students will first need to complete an application which includes basic information and an essay question. In the meantime your teen can obtain a prep guide from the Assessment Center, Bldg G, room 25 at SFC or go on line to CPT

After you have turned in your application you will receive a letter in the mail requesting your teenager to go on campus and take the CPT. An appointment does NOT need to be made. Hours and location for testing center are in the letter.

The test is multiple choice (no calculators) and is on a computer. There are three sections – math, reading, and writing (you will not be writing essays or sentences). You will not be able to go to the previous questions once you put an answer. You will be asked, though, if you are sure this is the answer you want when you chose your answer (with a mouse). The test taking time is on average about 1 and ½ hours however you can take as long as needed as the test is not timed. Once the test is finished the results are printed and you are instructed to take the test results to a counselor in the dual-enrollment office.

An appointment is NOT necessary for this. The counselor will talk to the teenager and parent about the scores. Based on these scores (and if your teen is accepted into the program) your teen will be placed in either
(1) high school level courses,
(2) college-prep courses (also known as remedial-this term to me sounds out of place but it means “remedial” in the context of a college-aged student) or
(3) college level courses.

At this point a homeschooler is not committing to the program. In May a letter of acceptance is mailed out…..that is when you will commit to attending the dual enrollment program or not.

Also I believe a homeschooling teen does not have to take a full load of classes on campus, although that is an option, but may rather be able to just take one or two classes each semester. You would need to talk to the guidance counselor about this as these decisions are made on an individual basis. If these couple of classes are high school level or college prep, they would be “high school courses” on your teen’s transcripts if you teen has to have high school transcripts for scholarship applications, etc. If your teen just took a government course, he/she would still need to take English, Math, etc from home.

Disability Testing for Santa Fe College and Dual Enrollment

2009-08-19T13:08:00.000-07:00

April 2009

Our daughter has just finished two semesters at Santa Fe College Dual Enrollment program. She turned 17 recently and still has another year to go. She only is taking a few classes each semester and so will still continue college after she's done with the dual enrollment program. We have found her dual enrollment counselor to be helpful, friendly and understanding. We've had meetings where my 5 year old sat on the floor coloring while we've discussed our daughter's classes. We have also had great help from the Disabilities Office.

She was tested at Debbie Harris' Office, a license school psychologist, and diagnosed with:
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Combined Type
Asperger's Disorder
Mathematics Disorder
Disorder of Written Expression
Expressive Language Disorder
Developmental Coordination Disorder

Her Prep class teachers all have been understanding and wonderful. She had Prep Reading, Writing, and Elementary Algebra. Sierra has had the opportunity to get and understand the material at a pace that agrees with her. With the disability accommodations she is able to take tests in another building in a quiet room for an extended period of time. But it is her responsibility to get a test packet three days prior to the test, hand it to her teacher so he/she can prepare test and turn it into back into the Disability Office. She has also done college level English and an art class.

We are proud and excited for our daughter. It has always been very difficult for her to feel "ok" in large group situations but the desire to dual enroll was hers, not ours. This was a thing God worked out and His timing is always right. Amen. :-)

The CPT for our daughter didn't quite spell it all out correctly. She had place in the Prep levels for Reading and Writing (which didn't surprise us because she has had a reading disability and didn't start reading till about age 11) but placed in College level algebra. So, last fall she was enrolled in the two prep classes and Intermediate Algebra. Well, the math proved to be too difficult and after a month, she dropped it and took a "W" ... withdraw.

Our daughter said the CPT was easy to guess at the correct answers. It is a multiply choice test and she had had enough Algebra 2 at home to guess good! But in truth, if she had to work out the answers with paper and pencil her score would have been quite different. So, we had to go to the Prep department and ask if she could step down to a prep math even though she had placed higher on the CPT. And they were fine with it.

Well, this past semester in Prep Math she is loving it and understanding it! Amen again! :-) For our daughter, Santa Fe College seems to be a good fit.

I just thought I'd share our experience and if anyone is helped by it, great. :-)

Registration in Name Only at Local Highschool for Dual Enrollment in Alachua County

2009-08-19T13:03:00.000-07:00

We just finished the registration in name only for our daughter at GHS. It's not a big deal.

You can do it in one trip if you:
bring a birth certificate
bring her social security card
bring 2 proof-of-address documentations (they are very specific and will only accept a cable bill, a phone bill, an electric bill, a city property tax bill--all in parents name and with your current address)
bring the letter of acceptance into the dual-enrollment program at SFCC
bring your immunization form or waiver completed within the last year
bring your health physical form completed within the last year

The student doesn't have to come - I went by myself to register our child.

The packet contains about 4 pages and took me about 10 minutes to fill out (I write fast). It's the usual stuff. They are standardized forms set up for students who will be attending all day and emergency contact info, etc, and not for students who are only filling out the forms to get their kid at SFCC. It has meant free books for all my kids, so I had no problem with it as I didn't see an ethical boundary being crossed.

Summer Job

2009-02-08T12:36:00.001-08:00

Find the Perfect Summer Job
www.collegeboard.com/student/plan/high-school/8913.html?CampaignID=34365

Majors

2009-02-08T12:33:00.001-08:00

Majors
www.collegeboard.com/student/csearch/majors_careers/index.html

"Official and Unofficial" Transcripts

2009-01-17T07:53:00.000-08:00

An official transcript usually goes directly from school to school and I believe even has a seal on it.

An unofficial transcript is just a copy of the transcript.

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Unofficial transcripts are those that are not signed and sealed. Many times it is because classes and grades are not yet final but it means they just want something to look at.
Did that make sense?

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Unofficial transcript means you just print it off the website of the high school or college and send it. Official transcript means the college officially sends it, for which they may charge a fee of a few dollars. Unofficial comes from you; official comes from the school. As a homeschooler, you just send them the transcript you have for unofficial. For an official one, we put signature lines at the bottom for my husband and for our evaluator and have both signatures notarized.

Careers

2008-09-01T20:13:00.000-07:00

Mapping-Your-Future
Welcome to the guided tour for middle and high school students. On this tour, you'll be able to find out more about planning for your future.
You can leave the tour at any time to find out more about a subject by clicking on the highlighted text.
www.mapping-your-future.org/MHSS

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Career of the Week
www.collegeboard.com/student/csearch/majors_careers/49485.html

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Life Purpose Planning Workbook
Understanding God’s purpose for your life sets you apart! By clearly knowing who God is calling you to be and what He is calling you to do, you will be better equipped to make wise decisions and evaluate opportunities with purpose in mind. This workbook is a practical tool to help you explore God’s working in your life, write a life purpose statement, and develop a wise and balanced plan of action to prepare for what God has set before you.
Paperback; 58 pageshttp://store.iblp.org/products/LPPW/

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How to Find an Internship; Not Just Any Internship
—One That Fits Your Needs
www.collegeboard.com/student/plan/high-school/8382.html

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Career Planning
from christianconnection.com
Article author: Mary F. Flaherty Director of Career Services Roberts Wesleyan College

Senior year of high school is a wonderful time filled with lots of senior year activities, friends, college applications and plans for the future. As you plan for the future and begin making decisions, the following steps may help. First, identify colleges that are of interest to you.
What’s important to you in a college campus?

Questions you should ask yourself include:
What kind of college do I want to attend?
How large?
Public or private?
Christian or secular?

If you are visiting this web site you obviously have some interest or desire in exploring a private or Christian college. Even among private colleges there are plenty of differences. How about the location of the campus and its distance from home? Does it have the academic program(s) you’re interested in? What are the academic requirements for admissions? What Co-curricular activities do they offer?

Once you have determined the colleges that meet your criteria, one of the best pieces of advice I can give to a high school student is to visit each college. To truly understand and know a campus a visit is necessary. Campus visits may differ between colleges, but typically college visits include a meeting with a representative from the admissions office, a campus tour, possibly a meal in the dining hall, and at some colleges the opportunity to sit in on a class.

One office on campus that may be overlooked during a campus visit is the college’s Career Services Office. The Career Services Office can often provide you with important data on how well graduates from the college are doing in their careers as well as average salaries and help in gaining admissions to graduate and professional schools.

Choosing a career or even a major can be a frustrating and confusing time for college students. It is the goal of the Career Services Office to provide assistance and answers to questions students may have concerning career or life planning, including:

What do I want to with my life?
Which major should I select?
What type of jobs are available to graduates in my major?
What sort of experiences do I need to be hired after I graduate?

Many, if not most, Career Centers provide individual or group career counseling, workshops, job listings and career fairs. Often times the Career Centers have assessment programs available: Myers-Briggs, Strong, Holland, Discover, Choices, and Pinpoint, to name a few. This is often the best place to start your career planning process. These programs can help you and your advisor identify personality type, occupational interest, personal attributes, strengths, etc. all of which contribute to job satisfaction and success. Knowing this information can empower you to make wise decisions when it comes to choosing a major and a career.

Career Centers often provide a variety of events to assist students in learning more about career options as well. One such example is alumni panels where students can ask questions of alumni and begin networking with professionals currently working in their field of interest. “Shadowing” opportunities where students have the opportunity to spend a day with an alum or member of the community is another possibility. Opportunities like these can often provide insight that a student may not receive in a classroom setting.

So once you have decided on a major and a career path, what’s next? Many academic majors require or strongly recommend that before a student graduates they take part in a semester or perhaps a yearlong internship. Internships provide practical training in your particular field. Often times internship opportunities are listed in the Career Services Office. The Career Center staff can provide more details about the requirements for that internship; assist you in writing a resume, and perhaps even conduct a mock interview.

While some students may wait until their senior year to visit the Career Center, my strongest recommendation to college students is to visit the Career Center early and often. Today’s job market can be a tough one and the Career Center staff is there to assist students in identifying their strengths as well as marketable skills, and to make your transition from college student to working professional as smooth as possible.

College Helps

2008-09-01T20:12:00.000-07:00

Rate My Professor
Start here to see if a professor is rated well.
It's nationwide!
www.ratemyprofessor.com

On-line High School

2008-09-01T19:58:00.000-07:00

FLVS (Florida Virtual School)
www.flvs.net

College Application Process

2008-07-29T04:43:00.000-07:00

From christianconnection.com

THE APPLICATION PROCESS – PART I
One of the first issues to consider as relates to applying is that the schools you are interested in may have different application deadlines. Other than a regular deadline date, some may have an early decision deadline as well. Other schools have rolling admissions, which means there is not any specific deadline. Even with a rolling admissions policy, I recommend applying early in the fall of your senior year or even during the summer before your senior year. It is wise to obtain application deadlines before your senior year begins. This may mean that you need to apply before visiting the campus in some cases. Bear in mind that schools act on applications at different times, so it's a good idea to ask when you can expect a decision so that you aren't waiting by the mail box for several weeks.

Some schools may offer an application fee waiver to students who apply by a certain date. If you are applying to a number of schools at $25 - $50 each, this can save a considerable amount of money. Call during the summer before your senior year to see if the school has an early application fee waiver program.

A final point to stress here is that you are a unique individual. While one college may be perfect for your best friend, it may be less than ideal for you. You and your family need to consider all factors involved - academic, social, financial, spiritual, etc. Give yourself a chance to truly explore all your options, you will then feel more comfortable regardless of where your final decision may lead.

HOW TO APPLY FOR ADMISSION
Once you know the colleges and/or universities to which you wish to apply, your attention must turn to the task of gaining acceptance. This process may seem simple, or it may push you to the edge of a nervous breakdown. There are some fundamental principles that must be followed as you work toward two separate and important goals.

The first goal in applying is straight forward - to gain acceptance. However, a second goal must be considered. The second goal is to demonstrate that you are the type of quality student and person the school wants to enroll. Accomplishing the first goal will get you in the door, but it's the second goal that will help position you for financial aid consideration. It's important to remember both goals in considering the application process.

While working in college admissions, the majority of applications that crossed my desk were adequate. A small number appeared to have been completed by the applicant's third grade brother, and finally there were a small number that I actually enjoyed reading. Needless to say, if you are reading this, you want to be in this final group. So how do you get there?

Let's begin by recognizing that nearly every school that does not have an open admissions policy represents a different level of challenge in gaining acceptance. A college or university with an average SAT of 1100 may not seem difficult to gain acceptance into if you have an SAT of 1250. Obviously, that same college or university may be very difficult to gain acceptance to for a student with an SAT of 900. Both the 1250 and the 900 SAT student should realize that the application process should be viewed with both of the goals mentioned above in mind. One of the mistakes that an academically stronger student can make is in not realizing that the application could impact their financial aid. The point is, never treat the application process lightly, even if you have a 1300 SAT and are applying to a relatively non-competitive school. Regardless of your situation, the following principles should hold true.

1. Type Everything
Does this seem obvious? While it may be obvious to you, believe me when I say that it must not be obvious to everyone. If the admissions office can't read your application, it is impossible to make a favorable impression. Every piece of communication and correspondence you have with the admissions office has the potential to influence a decision - negatively or positively.

The admissions application is your opportunity to "shine". Don't put yourself at a disadvantage because you didn't want to take the time to make your application look professional. When I saw a typed application, I concluded that the student was serious about the school and the admissions process.

2. The Extra Essay
Have you considered writing an extra essay? This will almost certainly set your application apart. If the application requires no essays, take the initiative to include one anyway. I recommend a 250 to 500 word essay. Remember, the goal is to stand out and be noticed! Schools want students that they believe will positively influence their campus. Write an essay explaining how you will make a positive impact at the school.

Let me stress the importance of knowing the difference between confidence and arrogance. You do not want to give the impression that the college or university would be foolish to overlook your amazing intellect and potential contributions. I recommend one extra essay. Please do not make the mistake of "overkill". The extra essay can backfire if you write a novel. You do not want to be remembered as the student whose application took an hour to read. Focus on your most unique characteristic or quality and strive for confidence rather than arrogance. One way to strike the proper balance is to also include how you believe the school will assist you in reaching your goals.

3. Honors And Activities
You may find that the application gives you the opportunity to list your honors and activities. I suggest typing SEE ATTACHED HONORS AND ACTIVITY SHEET in this space. Make it easy for the admissions representatives to see your accomplishments. Remember you are marketing yourself! Include everything you can think of - a community clean-up project, girl/boy scouts, church youth group, academic competitions, music competitions, student government, athletic awards, volunteer positions, and any other awards you may have received in high school. You may be pleasantly surprised at the length of your list once you take the time to sit down and think about what you have done for the past four years (parents can be a great help with this). If you have a lengthy list, you may want to have different headings such as: COMMUNITY/VOLUNTEER POSITIONS, SCHOOL ACTIVITIES, CHURCH ACTIVITIES, HONORS, ACADEMIC AWARDS, ATHLETIC AWARDS. If the application does not request such a list, include it anyway.

4. Fill Out The Application Completely
If a question is important enough to be included on the application, you need to answer it. Don't give the impression that you only felt the "important" questions were worth your time. A school may have a good reason for including a question that seems irrelevant to you. Even the "optional" questions are wise to complete.

5. Meet Deadlines
This point may be obvious, but sending in your application ahead of the deadline is even better. Demonstrating that you are organized and genuinely interested in the school by having your completed application in early can only help your cause.

6. The Interview
The interview is one of the most feared parts of the application process. While some colleges and universities require interviews, many may not. I would encourage you to seek out an “interview” even if it is not required. The interview provides the opportunity for you to have your face literally in front of the admissions representative. What better way is there to make a positive impression? I believe it is human nature to be more sympathetic and positive toward someone you have met. Admissions representatives are people too, and it is more difficult to discount a person than it is to discount an application.

You should dress to make a positive impression. Be prepared to have a clear answer to questions like:
o Why do you want to come to "College of the Clouds"?
o What can you contribute to the school?
o What is important to you in choosing a school?
o What opportunities were you involved with during high school?
o Where do you see yourself in ten years?
o Why are you interested in Biology? (insert your intended major)
o Describe the type of person you are.

You should practice answering these types of questions before your interview. You should also have questions ready to ask when given the chance. This will help demonstrate your interest in the school and will show that you are well prepared. If the school does not require an interview, it is likely that the admissions "interview" may simply be a time for the admissions representative to answer your questions and tell you more about the school.

7. Recommendations
Recommendations can be one of the most powerful and positive tools in the application process. Having said this, I also believe that this is one of the most overlooked parts of the application process. I was amazed at what some people sent in as "recommendations." This is not always the student's fault, but it still reflects negatively on him/her. Consider this - you have the opportunity to have any teacher, clergy member, employer, coach, etc. complete a recommendation. What does it say to the admissions office to have a recommendation sent in on your behalf that is poorly written, incomplete, or not very positive? You should consider it your responsibility to ensure this doesn't happen.

First, make certain you are asking someone who already thinks highly of you. Ask the individual if they feel comfortable and confident in writing a favorable recommendation. Let the person know that they can say "no". You should be ready to ask someone else do a recommendation if this person seems to be at all reluctant.

Second, after the person agrees to write the recommendation, make sure they understand how important this recommendation is to you. Don't just say "thanks" and leave it at that.

Third, make sure you ask that they complete the recommendation by a specific date. I would recommend within one to two weeks. If they are "too busy" or can't promise to do so, find someone else. Communicate the importance of their recommendation in your acceptance and possibly your financial aid. If the school does not require a recommendation, send one anyway. If they require one, send two. If they require two or more, I’d suggest just sending the number requested.

The recommendation provides an opportunity for a third party to brag about you to the admissions office. Do not overlook the weight a recommendation could carry!

8. The SAT/ACT
Plan to take both the ACT and the SAT. Compare your scores to determine which is stronger. You can then take at least the stronger test a second time. This means additional time and expense, but I believe it is time and money well spent. Students with a weak score on one test may score significantly higher on the other. You could also experience dramatic improvement on the second try of the same test.

There are countless reasons why you may do poorly, so give yourself at least a couple of chances to put forth your best effort. Your high school may provide you with the opportunity to take the ACT and/or SAT practice test. If not, find another way to take one of these by contacting a school in your area. This will help prepare you for the real thing.

I recommend taking both the ACT and the SAT toward the end of your junior year and then at least the stronger again in the fall of your senior year. This should give you time to take either test again, if necessary. Before losing too much sleep over these tests, remember that although important, they are only one part of the application process.

9. Ask For Help
If you get stuck at any point, be sure to ask a parent or guidance counselor for help. Make certain the lines of communication with your guidance counselor are open. You will need their help in sending out your transcripts. Some high schools may require that you submit your application to the guidance office for review prior to sending it on to the college. The important point is that there are likely well-qualified people around to assist you – please take advantage of this opportunity. If you are homeschooled, give the college a call and ask about the school's policies relating to homeschooled students.

10. Take Your Time
By planning ahead you should not feel rushed as you work through the application process. Whether filling out the application, preparing for an interview, writing your essays, or getting a recommendation, put forth your best effort. Do not put yourself in a position of saying, "If only I would have..." If you do not gain acceptance to a particular college or university, be prepared to move on. Your school is out there, stick with it until you find it.

S.F.C.C. & U.F. -- Foreign Language / Transcripts/ Diplomas/ Porfolios

2008-07-29T04:17:00.001-07:00

There seems to be some confusion about transcripts and diplomas for homeschooled students. If your student is registered under the superintendent of schools he DOES NOT need a transcript or diploma or proof that he took ANY classes to get into a community college OR to qualify for a Bright Futures Scholarship. He also does not need foreign language.He does not need foreign language to get into the community college where he can take the mandatory foreign language needed to get into a state university, such as UF. Three of our students waited until getting into SFCC to get their foreign language.Three of our students have received Bright Futures scholarships and four of them have gone straight into SFCC. One has gone on to UF. They needed nothing except 1) our signature on the affidavit at SFCC saying they were homeschooled, and 2) to take CPT (Computerized Placement Test). That's it. This is true of ANY community college in Florida.However, if your student wants to go straight from homeschool into UF, they will need both a transcript and a foreign language. Neither needs to be accredited, just documented by you. Homeschool students are evaluated individually at UF and the admissions interview is very important.
Also, if your student wants to attend a private college, go to school outside of Florida, or apply for a merit-based scholarship that asks for one - then a transcript would also be helpful. I made a transcript for Kate when she applied for a nursing scholarship (and our evaluator gave it a thumbs-up as very well done).But, remember - it's a LOT of work for nothing if your student doesn't need it.

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"--it is important to keep a copy of the contents pages of any High School Textbooks in your portfolio. I had twp colleges that asked for copies of those. One also asked for "your curriculum plan" -- which I ended up making up from the blurbs from BJU or ABEKA or Rocksolid websites on that particular product. I just cut and pasted into a word file, reformatted so all the type was uniform and that was fine for them. But two asked for copies of the contents pages of all textbooks we had used for HS. I had not kept those in my portfolio so I had to go thru all my bookcases and copy those."

Scholarships & Aid

2008-07-29T04:13:00.000-07:00

College Board.com
www.collegeboard.com/student/pay/scholarships-and-aid/index.html

Bright Futures Scholarship
www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org/ssfad/bf/

Hispanic Scholarship Fund
http://www.hsf.net/scholarships.php#find

FPEA Scholarship Fund
http://www.fpeascholarshipfund.com/

Understanding Financial Aid Award Letters
http://newsletters.collegeanswer.com/deciding/content/ac_awdltr.jsp

Math

2008-07-28T15:52:00.001-07:00

Curriculum
One suggestion I do have is a Math curriculum. When we hit Algebra I we had a hard time finding something that would work for my daughter. In fact, we tried 3 different texts before we settled on the 4th. We use Teaching Textbooks. It's a wonderful program! I think their website is www.teachingtextbooks.com . We didn't need to get the instructional disks until she got into Algebra II. My 7th grader is doing the Pre-Algebra and likes it. The approach is similar to Saxon in the way it is presented, but it's written by a homeschooling family. The examples can be very humorous.

Math Article
www.collegeboard.com/student/plan/boost-your-skills/10268.html

Other Testing

2008-07-28T15:49:00.001-07:00

BJU
http://www.bjupress.com/services/testing/

Seton
http://www.setontesting.com/

Clep Tests - when student finishes say Algebra I, have he/she take the Clep test now and earn a college credit while it's fresh in their minds.The web site is www.collegeboard.com Also, SAT questions of the Day sent to your e-mail inbox!!

SAT/ ACT

2008-07-28T15:48:00.001-07:00

College Board.com
Any student can register w/the collegeboard.com site and receive one SAT prep question in their inbox each day. That will also give you a very good idea of the types of questions they will see. Go to www.collegeboard.com .

County Library
There are also SAT prep materials in the library.

SAT for Dummies
A helpful book.

SAT/ACT MATH REVIEW
A valuable tutorial for anyone planning to take the Scholastic Aptitude Test or American College Test for college entry. Includes a review of high school algebra and geometry problems commonly found on these standardized tests.SAT/ACT

VERBAL PREP
Get prepared for the Scholastic Aptitude Test or American College Test for college entry. Includes a review of the three sections in the test: sentence completions and critical reading. You will also review vocabulary needed and test-taking strategies.

Sample College Essays
www.collegeboard.com/student/apply/essay-skills/index.html

SAT and ACT Prep Materials available thanks to the generosity of NFL players, and the coordinated efforts of eKnowledge and HSLDA, homeschoolers can get important test prep materials for only $9.95! Many families have found it beneficial for their students. Homeschooler Kevin Paddock writes: "This is our second time ordering the donated program--first child is in college. He took the SAT and did very well, thanks in great part to the SAT CD from eKnowledge."Read more about it at: http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=3208

Resources

2008-07-28T15:46:00.000-07:00

Web sites:
http://www.flhef.org - H.E.F. -- This site has info from Brenda Dickinson, our homeschool lobbyist.
http://www.ratemyprofessor.com - Rate My Professor, nationwide
http://www.summit.org - Summit Ministries
http://www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org/ssfad/bf/ - Bright Futures Scholarship

http://www.thefreemans.org

http://members.cox.net/mandjstewart/t2/#_HIGH_SCHOOL_&_1
http://www.fpea.com -- click on the "guide to homeschooling" on the left side and in the booklet that pops up, find the section on high school
http://www.facts.org -- then click on Counselors & Educators > Online Training Modules > FACTS.org for Home Education Students. There you will find the tutorial for home educators on how to use FACTS.org.

College Prep Books
The Homeschooler's Guide to Preparing for College AND Say What You Mean: Defending the Faith written by a homeschooler, for homeschoolers
http://artofeloquence.com/catalog.php?item=48&ret=index.php

High School Basic Help
http://forms.donnayoung.org/help/highsc.htm

High School Forms
http://forms.donnayoung.org/planners/hischl.htm

Heart of Wisdom Reading Lists
On the left-hand side of the web page scroll down to see 9-12 reading list ideas!
http://heartofwisdom.com/index.html

Encouragement
www.hslda.org/highschool/youcan.asp#encouragement

Homeschool Oasis
http://www.homeschooloasis.com/high_school_helps_main.htm

H.S.L.S.A.
http://www.hslda.org
http://www.hslda.org/highschool/curriculum.asp

Senior High: A Home-Designed Form+U+La
http://www.homeschooloasis.com/shop.cfm?page=list.cfm&action=list&criteria=173

Careers
http://admn.sfcc.edu/~ce/classes.html#career

Top 100 Books for the College Bound
www.collegeboard.com/student/plan/boost-your-skills/23628.html

God's World News for High Schoolers
In order to better serve our student subscribers, WORLD has partnered with StudentNewsDaily.com to provide critical thinking and comprehension questions based on a story in that week's WORLD. http://www.gwnews.com/forstudents.cfm

Books
"....... I wanted to recommend a book I just read (for the second time). It is called When You Rise Up by R.C. Sproul, Jr. The book covers the covenantal approach to homeschooling. I feel that God has called me to do this and it talks about raising children and homeschooling them for the kingdom of God. I would encourage you not to get too caught up in curriculum choices, but pray about what His will is for each of your children..............."

Barbara Frank’s book, Life Prep for Homeschooled Teenagers. This resource provides projects, a reading list for both parents and students, and also helpful charts and worksheets for life skills projects.

Life Skills for Kids: Equipping Your Child for the Real World by Christine Field.

Driver's Ed & Getting License

2008-07-28T15:33:00.000-07:00

This is the website recommended for driver's training for teens...and it is set up specifically for homeschoolers according to the website.http://www.usdrivertraining.com/

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I have a 16yo daughter who currently doesn't have her driver license b/c of the cost of insurance. We have FL Farm Bureau which is the most economical insurance I have found. To add her to our policy (she would not have her own car) with a 1999 car and a 1992 car it would be an additional $100 per MONTH. That doubles our insurance monthly. We do testing, not evals. The ins. co. wanted an official transcript on her. So currently we're not eligible for a discount. She is an A student and starts SFCC this January. The discount would save about $20 per month. The situation is very frustrating and we're not sure what to do about it. Most driver ed courses that include car time are very expensive. We can't do that right now. I just wanted to share our situation in relation to other parents who may be getting ready to go through the same thing. Right now my daughter is considering getting a job so that she can get her license. This is not what I wanted for her. She currently babysits regularly, but this is not enough money to pay for insurance, gas, and a car.

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A year and a half ago, my daughter was ready to get her license. Fortunately, State Farm simply asked for her most current report card. I put together on a Word document, printed out in landscape mode, signed, and sent to State Farm. Because of her good grades, we were given the good student discount. She had just finished the 11th grade as a dual enrolled high-schooler. That semester was a very BUSY one for her; most kids will not do so much as is in this report! You can go to the HSLDA website and download their template, if you are members. I used either 120 hours of coursework (I estimated), or I used the completion of the textbook to determine 1 credit.

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We have StateFarm Ins. (auto & car). They have a steer-clear discount program and a good student discount. My 19 year old son pays the ins. for the mini van that he drives & it is under $300 for 6 months with all discounts applied. They accepted his ACT scores for good student discount last year but want full-time college grades of B average now that he is getting grades. When he was getting close to getting his license (and we were close to auto ins.renewal) we shopped around & changed homeowners & auto insurance to get this deal.

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Here is the website for FREE Alachua County Sherrif Dept teen driver's class. It is held almost monthly - on a Friday evening and all day Saturday -- it is for teen driver's WITH learner's permits.

www.alachuasheriff.org/news_media/announcements/teen_driver

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We received information from one insurance company that will give the "good student" discount as well as "driver's ed" discount. I imagine most companies do. To get the good student discount as a home schooler it may be as simple as asking your child's evaluator for a letter to send to the insurance company (check with your insurance company, though). If your child takes a driver's ed course make sure he/she will get a certificate that can be presented to the insurance company as well for that discount (and make sure the insurance company will accept the certificate from the company you plan to have your teen take a course from !).

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Our daughter just got her temporary Driver's License! Yea!! ... I think. :-)

She did the following:

Sierra took the FLVS Driver's Ed class and that counted towards the Traffic Law Substance Abuse Education (TLSAE). And it's FREE! :-)

Then she went to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles web site at: http://hsmv.state.fl.us/ to make an appointment to take her road sign and rules test. She also read over what she all needed to know and bring with her that day. (Her State I.D. and paper certificate that she took that FLVS class)( Otherwise you need birth cert. and S.S.# card)

She then visited The Florida Learners Permit web site at: www.highschooldriver.com/learner.shtml to take practice tests on rules and signs!!

DMV Practice Test Road Signs
http://www.highschooldriver.com/learner_permit_signs.shtml

DMV Practice Tests Florida Drivers License
http://www.highschooldriver.com/learner_permit_rules.shtml

Showed up the day and time of appt. and took the test. She had to do one time do-over which was $5 more. It's $27 for license. It's $1 more if you use a credit card.

Hope this is helpful. Now, that's it's over, mom can relax. Well ...... then again. :-)

How Did Dual Enrollment at Local Community College Work For You?

2008-07-09T13:37:00.000-07:00

My daughter took the CPT’s and scored at the highest end of the college-prep level, one point away from college level classes….not just in one of the three areas, but in ALL three areas. My daughter and I both believe that this was a message that it was not time for her to go to “college” this fall. Since her scores were all just one point away from college level the counselor said my daughter could “challenge” the test. I believe this means she would have permission to retake. We choose to work more in all areas and then possibly retake the CPT late fall to enter possibly in the Spring of 2010. In the meantime there will be much prayer seeking our Lord’s direction.

A few more comments.
(1) If your student happens to be on the lowest end of the college level scoring range you may still want to consider whether to put them in the college level class. The student may find the class quite difficult and grades may be low…and these grades ARE recorded on college transcripts.
(2) One homeschooler I know has grown tremendously in her life skills and is showing improvement in her learning. She enjoys subjects that she didn’t before. However, again, EACH teenager and family need to decide what is best for the high schooler.
(3) Taking high school courses on a college campus MAY or MAY NOT be for your teen. Do they know the Lord ? Does your teen show maturity when handling various situations (driving, peer influence, etc)?
(4) Having to drive your teen to high school classes 5 days a week and being on the college calendar may also NOT be what you or your teen wants. College-prep classes are Monday thru Thursday while college classes can be 2-3 days per week.

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I've registered 4 kids through DE using the local high school in name only. I just registered Patrick at Newberry High School 2 days ago.

The packet contains about 4 pages and took me about 10 minutes to fill out (I write fast). It's the usual stuff. They are standardized forms set up for students who will be attending all day and emergency contact info, etc, and not for students who are only filling out the forms to get their kid at SFCC. It has meant free books for all my kids, so I had no prob with it as I didn't see an ethical boundary being crossed. but does ask how many other children living in the home, their names and ages, etc. I just filled it out because it was no big deal to me - not a battle I wanted to fight as it doesn't make any difference to me if Newberry knows Patrick has a younger brother or not.

Anyway, the part I keep forgetting about when I go to register a child in name only is that 1) the student doesn't have to come - I went by myself to register Patrick), 2) I need 2 letters that proved my residency, like the light bill and phone bill, 3) his SS number and birth certificate.

The whole process at Newberry takes as long as it takes me to fill out the paperwork. It was the same for Hawthorne High when I registered a kid through them when we lived in Waldo. Very easy, they know what to do, you just fill it out and they will give you paperwork you must take to SFCC, and as soon as you walk in the DE door, Kate Marks, the DE secretary whose desk is to the right of the door, will probably give Sierra an appointment to register.

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Dual enrolled 2 oldest @ SFCC Watson center in Keystone.
No big packet of anything. I had to prove they were schooling through the school board (one paper from them), get a release from St John's County (because we live in Clay not Bradford). I don't believe we had to do anything at all with the local school because we homeschool - I was the counselor - I wrote the desired schedule on a piece of notebook paper & signed it & that was it. That was my experience! Hope all works out well.

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We live in Putnam County. Elizabeth did and Mary Anne will attend SFCC Watson Center in Keystone in Clay County. All that I submitted to them was their ACT or SAT scores, a two-page high school dual enrollment application (I signed it because I am the guidance counselor), and a release letter from St. Johns River CC in Palatka (this does not pertain to you). My daughters took the CPT, then registered. It was that easy. The public school was not involved in any way.

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If you are registered as a homeschooler with your county all you need to do is go to the county office and get a letter from them stating your child is a homeschooler and has abided by the law (which means you are up to date with the county and have turned in your evaluations or test scores, and are registered with them). Then you take that to the Community Collage with the CPT scores. You will have a couple of papers to sign or fill out with the collage but not many. We just done this a couple of weeks ago in Lake City. You should not have to go through a school at all as far as I know of. Are you registered through a school to homeschool? If not it should only be through the Cty. School Brd. If you Duel enroll as a homeschooler you will have to pay for books. If you go through a school you don't. If I can help you in any way just give me a call or e-mail me. I will try to help. Thanks Kelly Patterson 386-454-7112

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We obtained the dual enrollment packet from SFCC. It was for all dual enrollment students and not specific for homeschoolers. We completed the forms and Chris took the CPT.

In addition to the regular forms filled out by any dual enrollment student (public school or home schooled) we filled out an additional form that we obtained at the dual enrollment office. The form was called Home School Articulation for Dual Enrollment. It looks like a very long contract (5 pages long).

We turned that in with the dual enrollment app.
We did not register with a school.

We were out of county so we also had to get a letter from our school board releasing Chris from their district. I think you are in Alachua County? So you won't have to worry about that. We ended paying for books because we were out of county. Otherwise I think the books are loaned to students for the semester.

Note about the Dual Enrollment office: More than once we encountered rude or uninformed individuals at the front desk. They just want a warm body at the front desk. The most helpful person was actually the director of high school dual enrollment: Linda Lanza-Kaduce. She is very busy and hard to reach, but when she is available she is extremely helpful, infomed, and home-school friendly. Her office is in the dual enrollment office and is the one closest to the front desk to the right (makes sense?).

Call us if you need more help 386-454-2152. My husband is Lazaro (or he goes by Larry also if you prefer). Or his cell phone number is 352-222-1636.

Keep in mind that this isn't really as difficult as it sometimes sounds. If it becomes difficult you may have gotten wrong information at some step.

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We just finished the registration in name only for Kimberly at GHS. It's not a big deal.You can do it in one trip if you:bring a birth certificatebring her social security cardbring 2 proof-of-address documentations (they are very specific and will only accept a cable bill, a phone bill, an electric bill, a city property tax bill--all in parents name and with your current address)bring the letter of acceptance into the dual-enrollment program at SFCCbring your immunization form or waiver completed within the last yearbring your health physical form completed within the last year I think that is all we needed to bring, but call the school to be sure. Make it very clear that you are a homeschooler registering in name only in order to do the dual-enrollment program and ask what you need to bring. Sometimes they are so rushed that they forget to mention something to bring and then you get there and find out that you need something else and have to make another trip.Then while you are there, you can fill out the forms. They are basic forms with name, address, emergency contacts, whether you want bus transportation, basic health information. The forms don't really take long to fill out and at GHS there were tables right there where you could sit down and fill them out. Also call ahead as to the summer hours, since sometimes they close for a week, or are closed on Fridays, or have limited hours on some days. Make sure you find out if you are to go to the guidance office or the main office, since their hours may differ. At GHS you go to guidance.

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Remember, registering in name only is so that you can receive "free" books. They are provided to the dual enrollment students. What does this mean in dollars? My daughter took 2 classes Summer A and the books would have cost us $240!!! That's a big savings. It's an easy process. Just fill out the papers and go. Blessings!

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While registering for Dual Enrollment in Duval County is very different I remember what it was like to register a child for DO.E. in Alachua county almost 10 years ago, when Elsa (the middle child) went into the program.

We had just arrived from Puerto Rico, and we were given a package with a lot of documents, some of which had to be completed by her old high school back on the Island. We also had to go to the school counselor at Buchholz (where we were zoned for) and do some sort of "fake registration". If I recall correctly the school where the child is zoned for must give "permission" for the child to attend the dual enrollment program physically at FCCJ. For the most part, high schools have thier own dual enrollment program within the physical school. A student that wants to take dual enrollmetn classes physically at FCC, must be released by the high school to take FCCJ's D.E. program.

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My daughter went and took the CPT yesterday at SFCC. She is in 10th grade. She passed into all college level courses. We applied for dual enrollment, but are waiting to hear if she's accepted. I'm not sure how much of that we'll do next year, but we wanted to have the choice. A lot of parents give up home schooling in the high school years b/c they are overwhelmed and don't feel they can teach their children at this level. I think the pressures of the world catch up with a lot of us at this point. I just keep praying about it. Also, I try to remember that the only one I have to answer to is God when it's all over.

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UPDATE: New web address for Dual Enrollment at Santa Fe College www.sfcollege.edu/dualenrollment/index.php