Hello I'm having a hard time getting accepted into colleges and don't know where to turn for help, so I'm posting this here. I live in Illinois. So, I went to a very very small private school of about 40 students my last year of high school where they basically home-schooled (Kind of like a co-op school), but went to get help and was taught the material 3 days a week. 25-40 minute classes. Basically, I struggled a lot throughout the year. I have a disability and they didn't give me any accommodations they had promised. Plus the workload was heavy and extremely fast paced (12 subjects) - so I didn't finish until Sept. of the year I "graduated". The day I turned the rest of my work in the head/director typed and printed out my "certificate" from his computer at school AND my "transcripts" and handed it over. I kept confronting him about it. About it not being professional and without a seal. He said he did the same thing for his other students and they didn't have problems. My community college didn't want to accept anything at first. We told them what had happened and they called him. After they spoke with him, everything was fine. He didn't tell us what he said though, for them to accept everything. I asked him because I wanted to get my daycare license and he wouldn't give me a straight answer and just said have them call me. No wonder everyone at the regional office didn't like him. I think he was surprised that I'm actually going to college. Anyway, since we were having a hard time - he forwarded me an email address from another parent whose kid was having a hard time getting into a nursing program. She said the school told her to get it notarized. So we did that. And the woman said I won't be able to do anything with it. And I'm still having a hard time getting into other programs. My mom is really upset that she wasted so much money. Should I just get a GED? I'm part-time, but already in my second year of college. I should study now; I know it'll take me forever to pass.
I don't really have anything useful to offer, but I'm wondering why you think you'll have such a hard time passing the GED test if you're doing well (I assume) already at a college level? I know you said you have a disability, but is it interfering with your work currently?
Some colleges are more readily accepting of homeschool diplomas than they are of diplomas from non-accredited schools. Are you sure this little private school is accredited? by whom? Was it an ACE school? There were a couple of ACE schools in this area, which just flat-out lied to people and said they were accredited. Well, they were, but not by the state, only by ACE. I've known several people who got diplomas from one or another of them, and when they presented these to either go to college or get a job, were told that they weren't worth the paper and ink it took to print them. Most I know of went and got their GED.
I know I'll struggle, because I'm struggling in college. Just like I struggled in high school, even with tutors and an IEP. I was also tested by a psychologist. My scores are nothing to brag about. Based on my scores I could be labeled as Borderline Intellectual Functioning. I'm barely getting by.
First of all, I wouldn't get a GED. Second, were you homeschooled until the last year? I'm not sure what you did that last year. According to the government, who was responsible for your education...your parents, or the "school" you attended? Who issues the diploma? Who is the "him" you refer to? Someone at the school?
The director. He's incharge of everything. He teaches half of the classes as well. Oh, and I was homeschooled for one year only.
Intense grammar courses and reading. Thank god. Grammar is on a different side of the brain though. My frontal lobe was damaged.
I wish it wasn't so late at night here. I hope I'm writing coherently! ...... I'm in Illinois and the community colleges I've spoken with in both IL and IA have been very positive about homeschooling and are eager to accept Ds's parent issued diploma when the time comes. Are your issues more to do with college entrance exams or your high school diploma? Here in IL, even homeschools are considered "private schools". We don't know anyone who has had a problem with a college yet.
So you were homeschooled your Junior year ONLY? Is this the director of the high school you attended? Who issued you a diploma?
What ever you have in terms of credit, credentials, and abilities/disabilities you need to continue to evaluate your options and move forward. Keep in mind that you are young and have your whole life ahead of you. You do not have to go to college full time and take a full course load. Take what you can take successfully at one time and no more. Perhaps you can work part time and go to school part time. What types of tests did the psychologist give you. We they measures of academic knowledge or were they measures of cognitive abilities and processing styles for the purpose of identifying learning style and possible learning disabilities. If they were the type of tests that might indicate what learning differences or disabilities you may have then that is a great resource to have when decision making. Perhaps you can schedule another appointment with the psychologist and discuss the findings and what they mean in terms of sucess in college and accomodations. Discuss what types of careers you might be best at. Many Community colleges have vocational certificates that do not take terribly long. Perhaps you could pursue this route at first to become employable at higher than entry level or minimum wages then attend a more academic path while working to gain a second career. It would seem that any other programs should accept your college transcripts at this point. If the college has accepted your HS diploma this should show on the college transcript. But then again you completed any courses sucessfully yet at the college. If not, perhaps you can take some remediation classes. Most community colleges have some remediation classes in math, reading, and other subjects as well as college skills classes that teach study skills and other things. Taking an academic or remediation course, a PE course ( I recommend volleyball LOL) and an art class might be a way to get at least a semester of good grades and some semester hours behind you to get a transcript from the college. Find out what your skills are geared towards, make a plan, take your time, and get a great work ethic started. It is all of the little decisions along the way that make us successful or not. It is the attitude toward life, work, and money that make the difference. You can be very sucessfull no matter where you are now. GED is not a bad option of you have to have another credential besides the college transcript. It does not cost much to take the test. There are study books available at most large bookstores for about 17.95 -29.95
Has the college mentioned anything about an ACT score? From my research, that is what is given the most weight when applying to colleges. Also, how your mom registered with the state during your senior year may come into play, although I don't know IL law.
ok, so I just re-read your original post....How were you schooled freshman-junior years? Could the problem perhaps be with transcripts/grades from a previous school? If your grades are poor for the first 3 yrs of high school, I can understand why a college might balk at an unprofessional certificate from a place you only attended 1 year. A 4 year university will almost always required: 1. transcripts from all 4 high school years (a detailed list of subjects taken and grades received, meeting state graduation requirements) and diploma (home, private, or public) 2. a minimum score achieved on ACT or SAT score Have you provided the college with this other info as well? Hope this helps?
our private school was non acredited and we had no problem. I have Universities who are begging my dd to sign with them because she was home schooled. check into GCU for one and Arizona Christian U for another they are both every much wanting Home schooled students because you know how to do it yourself and not have to have your hand held. Also -- Community Colleges will take you regardless.
