How To Get Into An Ivy Being Homeschooled? HELP!? *EASY & SIMPLE Points! WILL pick BEST ANSWER!!*?

Okay, so I'm a freshman and this year my mom started home-schooling me, mostly because the academics at my high school aren't the best:-S but ever since I was little I've wanted to go to in Ivy League school (such as Harvard, Yale, Princeton, etc.). What can I do to "guarantee" I can get into one of those schools being home-schooled? How do I "prove" myself? It has been a life long dream to go to in Ivy and I don't want it crushed because I'm now being home-schooled, so how do I get in? What extracurricular(s) should I do? Would online classes be a good idea? What about taking some courses at my Community College?



Fell free to add anything!



Thanks!=]

How To Get Into An Ivy Being Homeschooled? HELP!? *EASY %26amp; SIMPLE Points! WILL pick BEST ANSWER!!*?
My 9th grade son has the same goal...



Here is what we are doing:



Rigorous college prep courses.

Get some college credits under your belt.

Take either the ACT or the SAT - perhaps both.

You can take the ACT as practice and only the test you specify will be sent to colleges (some accept both tests some prefer the SAT)



My 9th grader has already taken the ACT twice...



Take the PSAT your sophomore and junior year. This is a practice SAT. Sophmore is a practice-practice test and junior year is a practice test that will put you in the running for National Merit Scholarships and help you get noticed by colleges if you score well enough.



A word of advice on extracurriculars... we have been told by admissions at a top college that they DO NOT like to see bunches and bunches of extracurricular like some kids do - they know that with bunches it is unlikely that the student contributed in any significant way - it is most likely "resume padding."



We were told they like to see a few extracurriculars with some demonstration of meaningful participation (being an officer, successfully leading a project to completion, etc.).



Meaningful community service is good too - something out of the ordinary is especially helpful... Volunteering with an established charitable organization is good but if you can find a way to uniquely give back to your community that is great.



Top colleges are not just looking at grades and test scores - they want students that offer something that will enrich their school and fellow students.



Figure out a way to be of interest and a way to show that you are an "interesting" individual that brings something unique to the table.



***UPDATE: You don't have email on... I do... If you will email me I will send you a link to my son's online portfolio. It will give you an idea of his course of study and plans. Don't want to post the link publicly.



Extracurriculars note: You should pick a few things that are of special interest to you and reflect your interests - and really get involved and committed for your entire high school "career."



Online courses: We plan on a few online dual credit courses. We like the program offered by Indiana University and we may also try (e.g. a bit pricey) fitting in an online Harvard dual credit course or two. You can find links to these two below.



CC: Definitely!



If you can afford, get into some summer programs.



Also: by the admissions officer, we were told that a homeschooer's grades / transcripts are looked at in much the way they look at a public school applicant from a small school from which they have recieved few if any applications: They have nothing with which to compare as with a large high school where they get lots of applicants. They know that a 4.0 at one school is not equal to a 4.0 at another. They will be looking a lot more closely at your test scores and other documented activities and accomplishments. Does that make sense?



***UPDATE: What in the world is Flora talking about? I guess she doesn't care much for high aspirations for oneself...
Reply:There are plenty of homeschoolers who get into Ivy league schools. I believe Harvard even has a minimum number of places set aside just for homeschoolers.



The thing to do is to contact the schools in question, ask them about their current policies regarding homeschooling students, then ask about any specific recommendations they have for a homeschooling plan, and plan your high school accordingly--checking in each year to find out if their policies have changed or not. You don't have to do online--just making sure to get a good education, having sample work, doing the SATs and all that will be fine. Extra-curriculars should reflect your interests, although not too one-sided; there's no preference given to someone who has done soccer instead of baseball, or not done any sports at all and filled up time with dance and volunteering. (Volunteering is always EXCELLENT for admissions or job applications.)



If you feel ready to take community college classes in a year or two, they certainly wouldn't do you any harm.



Good luck!
Reply:http://www.pahomeschoolers.com/courses/i...



You'll get a grade for your transcript, and an AP score which will count for college credit. Courses at community college would be good.



Do the most advanced work you can do -but remember, there's no point in trying to work through a college-level book if you don't understand it- and keep records of what you do.



But, one thing college admissions people really look at is hobbies, so don't eliminate all your free time. You can tell a lot about a person by looking at what they most love to do. Also, to be honest, there are real people looking at your application who will know when you're trying to suck up. Do something interesting that isn't what all the other Ivy-bound kids are doing. Take the summer off -or go easy- so you don't burn out.



Nobody can guarantee that they'll get in to an Ivy league school, but if you work hard, have a good portfolio, and do a good job on the SATs, you'll be fine.



EDIT: I just thought of something else. Please, please, please don't neglect your personal development because you're trying to get in to Harvard. At some point, you will leave school. There won't be any tests or admissions officers after you graduate. I'm not saying it's not a worthy goal, but you have to have a core self beyond your grades. And for that to develop, you need time alone, with nothing scheduled, to walk around in the woods, to read, or even just to lie on your bed thinking about stuff. You don't have to constantly be pondering the meaning of existence. In fact, if you do, you're screwed. You need to leave yourself time to develop as a person or you could be facing serious problems like depression. Don't be afraid to cut yourself some slack.
Reply:In the 1980's there was a homeschooling family in Northern California who sent 3 of their 4 homeschooled kids to Harvard. They wrote a book about it: Homeschooling for Excellence by David and Micki Colfax--you might want to read it for inspiration!



Ivy league schools know that homeschooled kids can be self-starting, unique and brilliant candidates for their programs. If you have a specific school in mind, contact them for their admission policies regarding homeschooled applicants.



If this is important to you, I know you will succeed!



All the Best to you.
Reply:I would start by seeing a doctor. You don't want to over do it and you want to do it safely. Your health is the most important factor. You might can even find a support group to help you through some bad times. I am sure you will improve but only if you really want too. I wish you well and good luck.

C++