Choosing a School

Is Community College the Best Option for Homeschoolers?

Community college has gained a reputation for being the ideal option for nontraditional students. Single parents, retirees, and individuals hoping to switch careers are some of the biggest beneficiaries of community college, but there is another group of students to think about – homeschoolers.

According to the National Household Education Survey Program (NHES), over 1.7 million K-12 students were homeschooled in the United States. Homeschooling has become increasingly more popular since it became a legal option in all 50 states in 1993.

There are many reasons why parents choose to homeschool their children. For some, it is a matter of wanting greater control over their child’s curriculum and schedule or a desire to create a program adapted to their child’s needs. Homeschooling can help parents create a stronger bond with their children, and it gives children the freedom to learn at their own pace. Homeschooling does come with its challenges, however, particularly when it comes to college applications.

College applications for homeschoolers are not as complex as they used to be, but it still takes time to complete them. More homeschoolers are turning to community college over traditional four-year colleges and universities. Keep reading to learn why and how to prepare your homeschooler for college.

Surprising Facts About Homeschoolers in College

Though more than 3% of the K-12 student population in the United States is homeschooled, many people still misunderstand this educational option. Here are some of the

For many students, the primary benefit of community college is that it is local to their community. In recent years, however, community colleges have begun to offer more classes online and plans for an all-online community college in California are underway.

So, what are the benefits of attending community college online, and are there any drawbacks? Keep reading to find out.

The Evolution of Online Education

The first American community college was born in 1901 and, over the past eleven decades, they have served the educational needs of nontraditional and financially constrained students. One of the biggest draws of community college, as compared to traditional colleges and universities, is that they were local, and they provided a more convenient, reduced-cost alternative.

From modest beginnings, the National Center for Education Statistics says that the community college student population has grown to over 6.4 million students. Of those students, nearly 2 million are enrolled in at least one online course.

Online education is nothing new, at least not in the realm of modern education. Technically speaking, however, the technology needed to facilitate online education (namely, computers) is over 170 years old. The precursor to online education was correspondence courses which were first offered in Great Britain. Instructors developed lessons and sent them to students by mail who then completed the assignment and mailed it back.

The advent of the Internet has made a great many things possible that were once unfathomable, and it has been an instrumental tool in the

How To Craft the Perfect College Admissions Essay

Every year, colleges receive thousands of applications from qualified students.

• Each school has its own criteria for admission, but test scores and your high school GPA will only get you so far.
• In addition to these metrics, colleges and universities use various other things to narrow down their list of applications.
• The college admissions essay is one of them.

When filling out college applications, you have the opportunity to highlight your accomplishments and relevant experiences.

• However, those things don’t necessarily paint an accurate picture of who you are.
• That’s where the admissions essay comes in.
• This is your chance to tell your story.
• This will give the admissions committee a clearer idea of what makes you unique.
• It will show why you would be a good fit for their school.

Writing a college admissions essay can be a nerve-wracking experience because there is so much riding on it. Keep reading to receive an in-depth guide to crafting the perfect college admissions essay.

General Guidelines for Admissions Essays

Before we get into the nitty-gritty details of crafting an unforgettable essay, let’s highlight some simple tips to keep in mind as you write:

• Keep it concise. Even if the application doesn’t specify a word limit, most admissions counselors will start to get bored around the 500-word mark. Definitely

Though many people assume that community college is somehow less of a "real" school than traditional colleges and universities, students at a community college must still go through the admissions process. Community colleges each have their own set of requirements for prospective students, which vary depending on a number of factors. The size of the school, its location, whether it has selective admissions programs, and the programs offered will all affect the admissions process.

Each school is unique in terms of its requirements; the same basic rules apply to most college applicants. You'll generally need a high school transcript or equivalent credential. Some community colleges may ask for standardized test scores for scholarship consideration or specific academic programs, though many now have test-optional or open-admission policies. You may also be required to submit letters of recommendation or a personal essay, particularly for competitive or limited-enrollment programs. The admissions team will also want to know about any extracurricular activities you've been involved in because they are looking to create a diverse, well-rounded student body. Keep reading to learn some simple tips for strengthening your community college application.

This video explains how to impress colleges with activities on your application.

What Do Admissions Officers Look For?

When a college admissions officer looks over your application, there are several things they're going to look for. First of all, they're going to look at your high school transcript but,

For many high school students, attending college is the next logical step after graduation. According to the U.S. Department of Education, there are more than 2,300 institutions that grant 4-year degrees and around 1,500 community colleges. With so many options out there, making a decision can be quite difficult. If you want to make sure that you end up going to the right school, take the time to think about your future before you start shopping for schools then consider each option in depth, focusing on three categories in particular – academics, student life, and finances.

Before You Start Looking

Though many students look at it this way, college is not just something you do after high school – it is a wonderful opportunity to shape your future and it is an important choice that will affect the rest of your life. This being the case, you need to do some thinking and planning before you actually start shopping for schools so you have some idea about what you are looking for. First, think about your professional goals for the future – what kind of job do you see yourself having ten years down the line? Next, take that idea and delve a little deeper into the industry – are there any requirements or certifications you will need and how stable is a job in that industry? Finally, think about where you want to go to school – do you want to stay close to home or take