Have any homeschoolers gotten a GED?
I will have to get one when I graduate, but it just seems like a GED is going to look very bad when I apply to a college, even though my cousin was homeschooled and he got a GED then got accepted into a university and got a masters degree.
Please, I would like a real answer.
Thanks, themein, and everyone else who answers clearly after the first 3 people.
hsmomlovinit
Favorite Answer
Actually, you don't need one; there are homeschoolers that are accepted to Ivy League schools on their homeschool diploma and transcript along with their SAT/ACT scores.
There are tracking programs (Homeschool Tracker, Edu-Track for example) that will print out your grades, transcript, etc. These are completely legit and regarded as highly as anything from a public or private school; you just need to make sure that you've documented everything you've done - the texts you use, test scores, books read, any special projects completed, etc.
You can also get a homeschool diploma that your parents sign, as they are technically your school administrators. It's also completely legit. A diploma is basically certification that you've completed your coursework and are eligible for graduation; from what I've seen from your other posts, that shouldn't be a problem. And honestly, in the 15 years since I graduated, I've never had to show my diploma once, including college admittance and registration. It's sat in a box or on a bookshelf that entire time.
http://www.homeschooldiploma.com/index.php
Here's one company that provides diplomas for homeschool grads. There are many others, as well.
Lindsay W
I was homeschooled up until highschool. A GED is treated the same way as a diploma completion by schools, it just has a negative connotation with people because they assume you dropped out of highschool and finished with a GED, as this is more often the case. People are ignorant about homeschooling, very ignorant. However, it is NECESSARY to have high SAT or ACT scores. I would suggest taking both, taking them as much as you can - definitely not once. Study for them, maybe take study classes. These will matter a LOT and will decide where you are placed since your high school equivilency will be determined off your general knowledge of this. If you do poorly on these, start with an AA at a community college of the same city as the university you go too, often after receving an AA they simply will not turn you down to the University. I went to highschool in public school to get a 'real' diploma. I wish I hadn't, even in advanced placement classes the other students were holding me back. Public schools are just not equipped for intelligent students who need to be challenged, and lucky for you, universities do realize this.
Thrice Blessed
You do not need to get a GED, in fact even if you get one, I recommend not mentioning it to college officials right away, show them you SAT or ACT scores and your homeschool transcript. Most colleges don't require a GED of homeschoolers, so you probably won't be asked for it. The most important thing is getting an education, make sure you are studying hard and preparing for the SAT or ACT test. If you do that then you will already be more than prepared to take the GED if it is ever needed, which it probably won't be.
homeschoolmom
If you are in the US, you do NOT *need* to get a GED. There are NO states that still require the GED for graduation from homeschool. Many colleges and universities are now recruiting homeschooler (yes, seeking them out) because they have proven to be more mature and self-directed than their peers.
You will likely need to take the SAT or ACT and it certainly wouldn't hurt to take a community or junior college course or two during your 'junior' or 'senior' year. Doing well in these classes will show colleges that you are prepared for university-level work.
Jazzie
These days unless you are going somewhere that has extremly high expectations it really doesn't matter about a GED. What most people look at is the fact that you can actually finish a task you start without giving up. If you do your reseaech you will learn that most jobs look for someone who have the ability to complete an assignment without quitting. Blieve me there is some people out there with College degrees that don't have GED sense. you'll catch that later...