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Homeschool FAQ

Colorado State encourages applications from homeschoolers who have completed a rigorous college-preparatory education. We understand that homeschooling offers diverse teaching methods and learning environments personalized to fit you and your family.

If you have a calculated cumulative grade point average using either letter or percentile grades, Colorado State University will use that GPA for admission and scholarship decisions and for state reporting purposes.

Guidelines established by the Colorado Commission on Higher Education (CCHE) require that all applicants from non-graded educational settings (i.e., narrative or portfolio assessment) be assigned a 3.3 "proxy" GPA (on a 4.0 scale), regardless of the type of assessment system used by the family or curriculum. While the 3.3 proxy GPA is part of the academic profile, the admission decision process still includes a detailed, personal review of the actual assessment of student performance. It is critical that you provide information about your individual experience and achievements.

1. Am I a homeschool applicant?
2. What admissions requirements are unique to homeschooled applicants?
3. Are separate application or transcript forms required?
4. What tests are required?
5. Does Colorado State require or favor particular curricula?
6. What course work am I required to complete?
7. What information is necessary on the transcript?
8. How will my credentials be evaluated?
9. What should my essay be about?
10. Should I provide writing samples or a portfolio with sample work?
11. How many letters of recommendation are required?
12. Am I required to show "graduation" with a GED or an official high school diploma?
13. What if I have taken courses in a traditional school setting (high school or college)?
14. Can I receive transfer credit for college-level courses I complete while homeschooling?
15. Am I eligible for all majors?
16. Am I eligible for scholarship consideration?
17. Am I eligible for the Honors Program?
18. How many homeschooled students attend Colorado State University?

1. Am I a homeschool applicant?

We define a homeschool applicant as anyone who has received part or all of his or her high school education through a home-based environment. Applicants present a range of experiences, including homeschooling for one semester, concurrent enrollment in a traditional school and a homeschool setting throughout high school, homeschooling for grades 9-11 with senior year in a traditional setting, and homeschooling through high school graduation. Students from all backgrounds can qualify for admission to the University.

2. What admissions requirements are unique to homeschooled applicants?

Colorado State does not have any admissions requirements that are unique to homeschoolers. The documents required to complete the application for admission and the process of evaluating a student's credentials are basically the same as for students from traditional educational settings.

3. Are there separate application or transcript forms that are required?

No. You simply need to submit the regular application for admission along with a $50 nonrefundable application processing fee, an official transcript, ACT or SAT results, a personal essay (minimum 250 words), and one recommendation (preferably from a teacher or school-based counselor outside your family). Suggestions for the essay are included in this FAQ. Refer to our How to Apply section for additional details.

4. What tests are required?

Either the ACT or SAT is acceptable, and the written sections are NOT used for admission or scholarship consideration. Though we do not require a minimum test score, the typical profile of entering freshmen includes an average ACT composite of 22-26 and an average SAT critical reading/math combined score of 1020-1220 (mid-50%ile). ACT or SAT scores are not required if you are 23 years of age or older or have been out of high school five or more years.

Homeschooled applicants are not required to present additional test results (e.g., achievement tests, GED, College Board subject tests, etc.).

5. Does Colorado State require or favor particular curricula?

Colorado State does not require or prefer particular curricula, and we do not make recommendations about specific programs of study. However, we can help you formulate questions that may assist you in evaluating how well a program or curriculum will prepare you for University admission.

6. What course work am I required to complete?

Regardless of curriculum used, applicants are given priority consideration if they have completed our 18 Recommended High School Units (grades of C- or better preferred).

7. What information is necessary on the transcript?

Transcripts must include a complete list of courses taken in grades 9-12, comments on course content if the titles are not self-explanatory, and information about the duration of the course if something other than a traditional academic year is used.

The transcript also must include an assessment of student performance (e.g. letter grades, percentages, portfolio commentary, etc.) and an explanation of any applicable grading scales. In cases where objective grading is not used, provide an explanation of how you were deemed ready for promotion to the next academic level.

If you have completed course work concurrently at a local high school or college, please include an official transcript from the institution(s).

8. How will my credentials be evaluated?

If you have a calculated cumulative grade point average using either letter or percentile grades, Colorado State University will use that GPA for admission and scholarship decisions and for state reporting purposes.

Guidelines established by the Colorado Commission on Higher Education (CCHE) require that all applicants from non-graded educational settings (i.e., narrative or portfolio assessment) be assigned a 3.3 "proxy" GPA (on a 4.0 scale), regardless of the type of assessment system used by the family or curriculum. While the 3.3 proxy GPA is part of the academic profile, the admission decision process still includes a detailed, personal review of your high school performance and individual background.

We will verify that you have completed the recommended high school course work and evaluate your academic rigor and trends in performance. We also will consider your personal background, involvement in family/community/school activities and your ability to contribute to the campus community. It is important that you provide information about your individual experience and achievements.

Refer to our Freshman Admission Standards for more information.

9. What should my essay be about?

You are encouraged to utilize your essay to help us better understand your individual background and the context of your college preparation. Topics to cover may include:

a description of your high school learning environment(s)
an explanation of why you chose to homeschool and what curriculum you have used
an assessment of the pros/cons of your experience and your preparation for Colorado State
any other details that will help us better understand the context and content of your experience

10. Should I provide writing samples or a portfolio with sample work?

Writing samples and portfolios are not required components of the application for admission; however, you may choose to provide additional information (e.g., a resume, a reading list, a sample schedule, etc.) to support your application or to elaborate upon information included in the transcript or the essay if further explanation is necessary.

11. How many recommendations are required?

A completed application must include at least one recommendation, preferably from a teacher or school-based counselor outside of your family. Applicants may submit the printable recommendation form OR a letter OR both.

12. Am I required to show "graduation" with a GED or an official high school diploma?

Students must have achieved high school graduation or its equivalent to enroll at Colorado State. You are not required to present GED results or a diploma from a traditional school, but we do require a final transcript of your academic work to verify that you have completed the necessary academic units.

13. What if I have taken courses in a traditional school setting (high school or college)?

Please submit an official transcript from all academic institutions you have attended during your high school years. Not only does this help us better understand your general course of study, it also allows us to see your degree of success in differing environments.

14. Can I receive transfer credit for college-level courses I complete while homeschooling?

Transfer credit may be awarded for college-level course work completed while homeschooling. Submit an official college transcript with your application for admission. If you are admitted, it will be evaluated after your admission and academic, college-level courses in which you have earned a grade of C- or better may receive transfer credit.

15. Am I eligible for all majors?

Admission to some programs, including art, biomedical sciences, business, computer science, engineering, and technical journalism, may require a higher grade point average, test score, and/or specific course work. Entry into music majors requires an audition (taped auditions considered).

If you are admissible to the University but you do not meet the more competitive major requirements, we can admit you to a corresponding "pre" or "undeclared-exploring" program (e.g. undeclared-exploring life sciences) so that you may begin working toward the prerequisites for the major. Admission to a "pre" or "undeclared" program does not assure admission to the college, major, or professional program.

16. Am I eligible for scholarship consideration?

Yes. For information about institutional scholarships, please view the Student Financial Services website. Your eligibility for private scholarships (those that are not administered by the University) will be at the discretion of the donor.

17. Am I eligible to apply for the Honors Program?

Yes, and the Honors Program welcomes the participation of homeschoolers. For more information about application guidelines and deadlines, please consult the Honors Program website or contact the Honors Program staff directly at (970) 491-5679.

18. How many homeschooled students attend Colorado State University?

We do not track the number of homeschooled applicants, the number of admitted homeschoolers, or the number of homeschooled students who enroll. Based on the personal attention we give homeschooled applicants, we are confident that Colorado State's diverse student body includes many individuals with solid home-based college-preparatory backgrounds. We hope you will make your own contribution in the near future.