This is a chapter from my book, Setting the Records Straight: How to Craft Homeschool Transcripts and Course Descriptions for College Admission and Scholarships. You can purchase a copy in print or Kindle version on Amazon.
The Love Languages of College
A homeschool transcript is the “love language” of colleges. A transcript is your homeschool experience translated into words and numbers that colleges understand. When homeschoolers talk among themselves, they may say, “Today we had so much fun! We had a great lesson, and combined it with a wonderful hands-on experience, and then read a book in the park together. It was wonderful!” A transcript is just translating these conversations into words like “course titles” and numbers like “grades and credits.”
You don’t have to change the way that you homeschool to make it fit a transcript! It goes the other way. You take what you are already doing in your homeschool – what is already working – and create the words and numbers that colleges understand. What you are doing is taking your wonderful educational experiences and translating them into “college-ese.” Document your homeschool “as-is.”
Parent-made homeschool transcripts work! My students were admitted to all four colleges they applied to, and they were given fabulous scholarships from each one. In fact, both of my sons were given four-year full-tuition scholarships to their first choice university. They applied using my homeschool transcript with my own “mommy grades.” You don’t need to worry about accreditation or fancy paper or getting software to do it the right way. You can make your transcript the right way just by doing it yourself.
Setting the Records Straight
Creating an impressive homeschool transcript that colleges will love is easy and completely possible. The best thing about transcripts is that there is really no right or wrong way to do them. The process is more of an art than a science. There are so many ways you can make a transcript, and each way is OK! There is freedom in making your homeschool transcript! My transcripts were nothing particularly fancy. They were created as Word documents on my home computer and printed on regular printer paper. And still, the colleges LOVED THEM!
Why would you make your own homeschool transcript? By making your own, you retain your status as an independent homeschooler. That gives you complete control over your student’s academic record, and you can make sure that it truly represents who they are and what they know. A homeschool transcript can include all your academic experiences.
Your transcript can also save you money if your children go to college. Properly documented transcripts can earn big scholarships. Creating your own transcript is a very important piece of documentation that colleges need from all applicants. Your transcript is as official as your homeschool. Don’t be shy about it! These days, almost every college will accept a homeschool transcript made by a parent. Homeschooling is a very popular educational option, and colleges want our students!
Don’t worry about whether you can create a winning homeschool transcript. I’m living proof that you can! There is no reason to feel overwhelmed. You can learn how to make an AMAZING transcript that will perfectly represent your student and your homeschool.
From the Back Cover
What keeps you up at night? Transcripts and credits? Course descriptions and grading criteria? Grade point averages? Great News! You can prepare homeschool records that impress colleges! This book provides the information and confidence you need. Setting the Records Straight is a complete resource for homeschool records! Easy to read and logically organized, it provides plenty of examples from real homeschool families. If you have ever longed for a visual example of successful homeschool documentation, this is the book for you.
“This is a must-read for those of us planning to homeschool through high school. If you are thinking about high school records, this book will answer all your questions!”
~ Heidi Strawser, The Old Schoolhouse Magazine
“This book was the most VALUABLE tool I’ve seen on the nuts and bolts of transcripts and course descriptions! You literally answered EVERY question that came to mind.”
~ Lori MacMath, Heart of the Matter Magazine
“I was very, very impressed. I have already recommended it to others. It really is amazing information… well organized, well written, and professionally put together.”
~ Robin E. Williams, Homeschooling mother of 5
“With humor, understanding, and simple step-by-step instructions, you’ll be encouraged and equipped to consolidate your educational experiences with excellence.”
~ Ann Dunagan, Author of The Mission-Minded Family, Homeschooling mother of 7
“Your transcripts and records were the best organized and documented I have seen” – Bryan Jones, Associate Director of Admissions, Seattle Pacific University
Setting the Records Straight is available in Kindle or paperback versions on Amazon:
Learn more in my review below!
This is a chapter from my book, Setting the Records Straight: How to Craft Homeschool Transcripts and Course Descriptions for College Admission and Scholarships. You can purchase a copy in print or Kindle version on Amazon.
