Show notes
389: Best College Application Resources for Homeschoolers
College applications can feel overwhelming, especially once senior year arrives. In this episode, I share several useful websites that can help homeschool families choose colleges, understand the application process, work through essays and recommendations, and make sense of what happens after applications are submitted.
These resources are useful for seniors, but many are worth exploring much earlier. Starting in middle or early high school gives students more time to think about what they want in a college and helps reduce stress later.
Resources mentioned in this episode
FAFSA
https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa
If your student may apply for financial aid or scholarships, be sure to complete the FAFSA. Parents and students will each need the appropriate accounts, so it is helpful to get those set up before the FAFSA opens.
College Scorecard
https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/
College Scorecard is a helpful place to start comparing colleges. You can filter schools by factors such as:
- Location
- Annual cost
- Degree or major
- Test scores
- Urban or rural setting
- Religious affiliation
You can also compare information such as graduation rates, average annual cost, and median earnings after graduation.
Appily
https://www.appily.com/
Appily offers college search tools, virtual college tours, scholarship information, and quizzes designed to help students think about possible majors and what type of college might be a good fit.
Students can also explore factors such as campus culture, demographics, clubs, and other aspects of college life.
Common App Resources
https://www.commonapp.org/apply/first-year-students
This provides a video walkthrough of the Common App.
https://www.commonapp.org/apply/fy-toolkit
The First-Year Toolkit also covers topics such as:
- Common App terminology
- Testing information
- Recommendation letters
- Family and teacher brag sheets
- Application fees and fee waivers
- Financial aid
- Resources for international applicants
BigFuture by College Board
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/plan-for-college/apply-to-college
BigFuture includes information about scholarships, college planning, and the application process.
Resources include:
- A 12th-grade college application timeline
- What to do after applying
- Early Action and Early Decision
- College placement tests
- General college admission guidance
BigFuture also has a College Planning for Homeschoolers FAQ, which answers questions specifically relevant to homeschool applicants, including questions about high school codes and account setup.
College Essay Guy
https://www.collegeessayguy.com/college-application-hub
The College Essay Guy’s resources extend well beyond the main Common App essay.
You can find information on:
- Creating a college list
- Early Action vs. Early Decision
- Personal statements
- Supplemental essays
- Recommendation letters
- College interviews
- Financial aid
- Understanding financial aid award letters
- Appealing financial aid decisions
There are also free resources for international students, first-generation students, and low-income students.
Start collecting resources early
Even if your child is not yet a senior, consider creating a digital folder where you can save useful college application information. When application season arrives, you will already have resources available rather than starting from scratch.
You can also search the FundaFunda Academy blog for additional articles about college applications, scholarships, and scholarship websites
Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies.
Join our Facebook Group, especially for the listeners of this podcast! You can ask questions and get advice as you try integrating technology in your homeschool.
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The post Best College Application Resources for Homeschoolers appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
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