Category Archives: college prep

Sep 23 2025

Four Letters of Acceptance

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As of right now, four universities have accepted our son. The fifth university has not made a decision about him yet because they have not received all the documentation.

Teenager with his Chevy Colorado truck

Our son earned himself a truck by getting a really high SAT score.

Did you know that some homeschoolers should not fill out the Common App Homeschool Supplement? Don’t believe everything you hear on national homeschool podcasts… This very famous homeschool podcast insisted on the Homeschool Supplement inside the Common App. Well, it does not apply to everybody. Continue reading »

Aug 1 2025

The Common App Is Open

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On our journey from homeschool to college, our son created an account on the Common App back in July. Today, on August 1, the Common App opened up for applications. Our son is considering applying to about 10 colleges and nine of them are on the Common App.

The Common App

The Common App is used by over 1,000 colleges and universities.

There is nothing scary about the Common App. Like anything in homeschooling, one must face the fear and do it anyway. Click, read, fill out, research, ask around – the usual steps like for any other scholastic activity known to men and women in the 21st century. Continue reading »

Jun 27 2025

Homeschool to College: Our Journey, Part 2

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June is quickly coming to a close and I have two things on my mind: scholarships and college visits. This means updating the Master Calendar almost every day, as I discover scholarship deadlines and schedule various campus visits. In case you are looking for Part 1, here it is.

Homeschool to College: Our Journey

Homeschool to College: Our Journey, Part 2 covers scholarships and campus visits

I started a running list of scholarships and decide to spend one hour a day researching and refining it. The student applies for scholarships, but the homeschool mom does the research. After all, a homeschool mom is a guidance counselor.

Google is listening to my conversations with various members of my family. All of the sudden, my social media feed is flooded with Sponsored posts from different scholarship gurus who offer free webinars. I book two of them and learn a lot: The Scholarship System and PrepExpert.com.

No, I will not sign up for these done-for-you programs which cost anywhere from $700 to $4,000. As a scrappy homeschool mom, I am happy doing the research and implementing the findings; let the chips fall where they may. Continue reading »

Jun 20 2025

Homeschool to College: Our Journey, Part 1

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And so it begins: our adventure into the senior year. The plan is to blog about what we are learning and share it with you all as it happens. Naturally, it all starts with a plan and a goal. What is your goal for your children as they graduate high school? Please share it in a comment below. College is not for everybody.

Homeschool to College: Our Journey Series

Homeschool to College: Our Journey Series

For us, the goal is a four-year institution with a strong computer science program and a merit-based full ride scholarship. Geography plays a role, too. Our son wants to stay nearby. There are many options in Tennessee, where we live. However, we have cast a wider net in order to add certain other universities which have peaked his interest. Continue reading »

Feb 14 2025

SMHEA Conference

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Well, hello again. It is time to put my Sabbatical aside and start blogging again. So much has happened in the last six months – all good things, which have lead to many, many learning and growth opportunities. Not just for the children, but also for me.

Before I catch you up with our homeschool, let me announce that I will be speaking at the Smoky Mountain Home Education Association Event on February 22, 2025. If you can make it, you can meet and greet different co-ops in the area.

SMHEA Conference

I will be speaking on the power of words to shape our lives.

To recap the last six months, let us start with academics: Continue reading »

Sep 27 2024

SAT Scores by Colleges

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Well, well, well. I did a little research and took down the SAT scores needed for this year’s admission at different universities and colleges. I will only comment by saying that this list is eye-opening.

Harvard University Building

Building at Harvard

 

 

In Tennessee

TN Tech 1140 (1010-1250)

Southern Adventist University 1102 (940-1260)

Vanderbilt 1505 (1490-1570),but test optional until 2027

Continue reading »

Mar 25 2021

Spring Break

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Pandemic or not, we do not like to travel during spring break. This is a time for me to reorganize the school room, my records and curricula, and make plans for next year. The kids love their free time and extra play dates with friends. Besides, who wants to go to the beach when everybody else goes to the beach? We like going to the beach in May or September, when most people cannot go.

Thunder

One of our cats, Thunder, waiting impatiently at the vet

Unfortunately, I had a cold during spring break. I spent half of the break in bed, while my husband and the kids took care of themselves. It happens. Continue reading »