The Catholic Homeschool Student & Parent Guide to Preparing for College Admission by Benedictine College

THE CATHOLIC HOMESCHOOL GUIDE TO Preparing for College Admission

FOLLOW THE COLLEGE PLANNING TIMELINE

Consider whether taking AP, CLEP, and DSST courses will be a part of your high school experience. Consider taking dual enrollment courses at a local or online accredited institution.

Sophomore Year Take a standardized test such as the PSAT, PLAN, and/or CLT10 for practice with standardized test taking and to get an idea of strengths and weaknesses.

Dual enrollment courses fulfill both high school credits and college credits simultaneously. Be in touch with your admission counselor regarding whether and how dual enrollment courses will transfer.

Prep diligently for the junior year PSAT for National Merit consideration. Research other major scholarship opportunities. For example, the National Hispanic Recognition Program may result in significant financial awards for students who are at least one quarter Hispanic. Reflect on and discuss the characteristics of the type of college that will be a good fit for you. Keep a list.

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Recommended College Planning Timeline

Consider establishing an email address to use for college-related communications (for example: catherinescollegeemail@gmail.com).

Throughout High School

Pray! Entrust your college search and application process to your patron saint and guardian angel. Visit potential colleges and take a tour whenever you get a chance while on vacation, visiting friends, traveling across the country, etc.

Freshman Year Take a standardized test online or at a local high school for practice with standardized test-taking in a classroom setting.

A tip from OfficeBenedictinetheCollegeofAdmission: We encourage you to use Transferology to help evaluate how specific college credits transfer. Create an account transferology.com.at

Identify 8-10 colleges or universities that might be a good option for you based on academic offerings, location, and campus culture factors. Let faithful Catholic colleges know you are interested in hearing from them. Go to the Cardinal Newman Society’s website (newmansociety.org) and complete the “Recruit Me” form.

Make college visits. Do your best to get a feel for the student body. Peers have a tremendous influence on your college success. Consider attending a summer enrichment program offered by colleges you are considering. Research college application requirements and deadlines. Keep a chart/excel file of requirements. Begin to discern a major. Go to Benedictine.MyMajors.com to take a brief assessment of your strengths, skills, interests, and aptitudes; you’ll receive a personalized list of potential majors.

Celebrate and begin your college career!

Junior Year Take the PSAT for National Merit and National Hispanic Recognition Program consideration.

A tip from OfficeBenedictinetheCollegeofAdmission: A completed FAFSA may be required for certain state aid, workparticipationscholarshipsendowmentandinsomestudyprograms.

Review financial aid requirements and deadlines. Check the financial aid section of a college’s website for this information. Start looking for outside scholarships. Be sure to consider local civic, county, and regional scholarships. Organize your list of scholarship deadlines in chronological order to ensure you meet the deadlines. Senior Year Be sure you have submitted applications and all supporting documents to the colleges or universities at which you intend to seek admission. Make any final campus visits in the fall. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid at studentaid.gov beginning October 1 of your senior year to be considered for federal financial aid. Evaluate financial aid offers and be sure you understand all costs associated with attending the college or university. Be attentive to on-campus scholarship programs and participate in any competitions at your schools of interest. Apply to special programs for which you may be eligible, such as honors or leadership programs. Select the college of your choice and be sure you have taken all the necessary steps to secure your place at that institution. Complete your high school coursework. Send your final high school transcript (and transcripts for dual enrollment and other college courses you have taken during high school) to the college of your choice.

Take the ACT, SAT, and/or CLT. College scholarships may be based in part on a student’s standardized test score. Be prepared that you may wish to retake a particular test in order to reach your full potential and maximize scholarship opportunities.

Memberships & achievements including National Honor Society, and any other academic honors, scholarships, or special recognitions College credit courses Tutoring experience Reading list of great works of literature Foreign language experience and involvement Academic enrichment experiences such as academic summer camps Academics 4

Short description of high school academic program, whatever it might be (even if you are creating it yourself). You may wish to include details such as the name of your homeschool, your anticipated graduation date, type of curriculum used, and a brief explanation of how the program complies with your state’s homeschool regulations (if any).

A tip from the Benedictine College Office of Admission: At Benedictine College, a resume is not required as part of the standard application. However, some of our Programs of Distinction applications do require the submission of a resume. Visit Benedictine.edu/programsofdistinction for more information. reate your resume, save it in a convenient and easily accessible location on your desktop, and update it at the end of each semester. When admission officers and scholarship committees request your resume as part of your application, you will be ready to provide it. Include information from the following areas: C

Cumulative StandardizedGPA& specialized exam scores and test dates including Classic Learning Test (CLT), ACT, SAT, and National Latin Exam, etc.

KEEP AN ACADEMIC & REXTRACURRICULARESUME

List activities and experiences that demonstrate your commitment and progression over a number of years. Reviewing this list will help you identify long-standing passions and interests and may help shape future goals. Work Experience Write a brief description of the primary responsibilities at each job. Include both paid and unpaid experiences, including babysitting.

Pro-lifeAthleticsactivities (parades, rallies, March for Life, etc.) 4-H or county fair activities Certifications (Safe Sitter, VIRTUS, etc.)

Extracurriculars

5 ACADEMIC & EXTRACURRICULAR RESUME

A tip from the Benedictine College Office of Admission: Keep in mind that colleges and scholarship committees prefer to see a depth of commitment in a few activities rather than a superficial level of involvement in a larger number of activities.

Homeschool co-op involvement

Mission trip experience (domestic international).and Describe the location and key responsibilities on the mission trip. Volunteer and community service, including an estimated number of hours volunteered, if desired. Write a brief description of each noteworthy experience. Parish involvement such as a lector, choir member, altar server, accompanist, member of youth group, pro-life group, volunteer, cleaning crew, funeral dinner helper, etc.

Service Music (years studying music, levels achieved, awards, competitions, etc.)

Homeschool newspaper/yearbook Theatre involvement with a short description of key onstage or behind-thescenes roles

FamilyNeighborsfriends who know you well Theatre production directors Chaperones for volunteer experiences and mission trips Music instructors and athletic coaches Parishioners who know you from parish activities (choir director, youth group coordinator, etc.)

ACADEMIC & EXTRACURRICULAR RESUME 6

A tip from the Benedictine College Office of Admission: Contact your references in advance and ask for their permission to be listed as a reference.

References Maintain a running list of potential references, their titles or relationship to you, and their contact information so that you will always have someone to call upon when a reference is needed. Good references may include: Pastor or other priest Teachers (including online course instructors) Employers, co-workers, and family friends who have observed your work ethic and abilities School consultant or NHS advisor (if enrolled with a formal homeschool program)

Interests Documenting your interests and activities may be help you narrow down college choices and scholarship opportunities, and eventually may help direct you toward a particular field of study.

Types of music and instruments Reading genres Radio stations

News FavoriteLanguagesPlacesHistoricalFavoritePro-lifeReligiousGamessourcesordersactivitiesmuseumsperiodstraveleddevotions

SAMPLE STUDENT RESUME Benedictine College Applicant JOHNSONCATHERINE 116 Silver St., Waterville, ME catherinescollegeemail@gmail.com04901913.367.5340 EDUCATION Sacred Heart Homeschool Anticipated graduation: May 25, 2024 Sacred Heart Homeschool’s curriculum is Catholic, college prep, and classical. Sacred Heart Homeschool complies with Maine’s Home Instruction Statute. Sacred Heart Homeschool does not compute class rank. Benedictine College Youth Conferences (BCYC) Immersion - Engineering Academic Track BCYC Immersion is a Catholic summer youth conference hosted by Benedictine College, combining a science and academic pre-college program and a Catholic youth camp. WORK EXPERIENCE Retail Associate / Waterville Books Summers 2021 and 2022 Opens and closes store, reconciles cash register, runs cash register, restocks merchandise, fulfills online orders, updates POS system, conducts inventory, assists customers, maintains clean and orderly store LEADERSHIP AND VOLUNTEER ROLES Notre Dame du Perpetual Secours Catholic Church 2020 – present Volunteer / Cleaning Crew 2020 – present Lector and Organ Accompanist 2020 Volunteer / Haiti House Fundraiser 2016 - present Chorister / Youth Choir 2020 - present Founder and President / Servants of St. Gianna Pro-Life Group Waterville Opera House 2012 – present Backstage Crew Member / Mainstage, Summerstage, and After School Players Productions Actor / Mainstage, After School Players, and Traveling Productions Stage Manager / After School Players and Traveling Productions Assistant Director / After School Players productions Catholic Charities 2016 – present Volunteer / Friendly Visitors program 2022 Coordinator / Angel Tree project • 3.82 GPA • 32 ACT • National Honor Society • National Junior Classical League Latin Honors Society • National Latin Exam perfect score award • Reporter and Editor-in-Chief of Waterville Area Catholic Homeschoolers Online Newspaper WHY BENEDICTINE? I desire to attend a Catholic college with a strong engineering program. Benedictine College is my choice college because I can grow in my faith while obtaining my degree. ACADEMIC HONORS 2014 – present Piano 2018 – 2020 Violin 2020 – present Organ MUSIC EXPERIENCE 7

reating a college transcript can seem like a daunting task for a homeschool family, but admission officials are simply looking for information about your high school academic experience that you already know.

C #3 SH 8

An “official” transcript for a homeschooler is any transcript that has been signed by the head of the school, which in this case is one of the parents of the student. List an anticipated graduation date (month, day, and year) on the transcript. You get to choose the date! Use “IP” to denote a course which is currently “In Progress.”

Ask the admission offices of the colleges to which you plan to apply whether they have any particular requirements you need to meet. Many college admission officials require at least six semesters of high school credits before a student can be officially considered for admission.

Denote dual enrollment courses with an asterisk (see sample transcript), indicating the name of the college where the course was taken. Keep dual enrollment course descriptions for your records. List your grading scale on the transcript. As the head of the school, the homeschool parent determines the grading scale. Calculate your Grade Point Average (GPA). Find instructions online (or use an online GPA calculator) to calculate your GPA. Send a final transcript to the college of your choice upon completion of high school. For dual enrollment courses, be sure to have the accredited institutions(s) send a final transcript to the college of your choice so that the courses can be evaluated for college credit.

SH MAKE OR OBTAIN YOUR TRANSCRIPTHOMESCHOOL

Pro Tips from the Benedictine College Office of Admission:

The admission counselor reviewing your application will want to see the list of courses you took, whether the course was a semester of yearlong, and what grades you earned. Find sample transcripts, transcript creation services, and transcript templates online. Customize the transcript to reflect your particular high school experience.

Official High School TranscriptAnticipated graduation: May 25, 2024 School Information: School: Sacred Heart Homeschool Address: 116 Silver St., Waterville, ME 04901Phone: 913.367.5340 Parent: Megan Johnson Email: johnsonfamily75@gmail.com Student Information: Full Name: Catherine Johnson Sex: F Date of Birth: August 19, 2006Address: 116 Silver St., Waterville, ME 04901Phone: 913.367.5340 Email: catherinescollegeemail@gmail.com Grading Scale: A (90-100) = 4.0, B (80-89) = 3.0, C (70-79) = 2.0, D (60-69) = 1.0, F (59 or below) = 0.0, PassKey: IP= In Progress, * = Dual enrollment at Kennebec Valley Community Authorized______________________________________College__________________SignatureDate 9th Grade (2020-2021) Courses 1st 2nd Credits GPAAlgebra I A B 1.00 3.50American Lit A A 1.00 4.00Earth Sci A A 1.00 4.00Faith & Morality A A 1.00 4.00Fine Arts: Music A A 1.00 4.00Grammar & Comp A A 1.00 4.00Latin I A A 1.00 4.00Physical Ed P .50US History A A 1.00 4.00 Credits 8.50 3.94 10th Grade (2021-2022) Courses 1st 2nd Credits GPAAncient Hist & Geog A A 1.00 4.00Ancient Lit A A 1.00 4.00Geometry B C 1.00 2.50Natural Sci A A 1.00 4.00Physical Ed P .50Sacraments & Apol A A 1.00 4.00Spanish I A A 1.00 4.00 Credits 6.50 3.75 11th Grade (2022-2023) Courses 1st 2nd Credits GPAAlgebra II B B 1.00 3.00Bible Study A A 1.00 4.00Biology A A 1.00 4.00Fine Arts: Performing Arts A .50 4.00Med European Lit B A 1.00 3.50Physical Ed P .50Spanish II A A 1.00 4.00Credits 6.00 3.77 12th Grade (2023-2024) Courses 1st 2nd Credits GPAAdv Am Gov & Econ IP Adv Math I: Geom, Trig & Alg III IP Biology: Human Anat & Phys IP British Lit IP Catholic Doctrine IP ART114 Drawing Techniques* IP Health IP Physical Ed IP Spanish III IP Credits 0.00 Total Credits: 21.00 Current GPA: 3.82 I certify that this is a true copy of the permanent record SH A tip from the Benedictine College Office of Admission: Every homeschool student’s transcript is unique, and reflects your individual academic path. No two transcripts will look exactly alike. August 1, 2023 9

• Are the facilities well-maintained?

• Will I be challenged in my courses?

• Do I see the coach as a good mentor?

• Will I have opportunities to grow in my faith/discern my vocation?

Chart WEIGH THE PROS & CONS

• Will I be equipped for a job/grad school?

• How far is it from home?

• Are the athletic facilities in good condition?

Academics Is the degree I want offered? How does the class size feel? Do I feel connected to the professors? Will I be challenged in my courses? Will I be equipped for a job/grad school? Does the school attract quality, mission-fit speakers, offering formation outside of the classroom? Campus & Location Do I like the size & setting of the campus? Do I like the geographical location? Are the facilities well-maintained? How far is it from home? Were the tour guides/students I encountered friendly and welcoming?

• Are there opportunties to join clubs?

Are there opportunities to join clubs? Is the college recommended by the Newman Guide as a Faithful Catholic College? Will I have opportunities to grow in my faith/discern my vocation? Does the college have a strong residence life program? Athletics Is my sport offered? Do I see the coach as a good mentor? Do I qualify for an athletic scholarship? Are the athletic facilities in good condition? Do fans support my sport? Are there opportunities to grow in my faith as an athlete? Costs & Aid With scholarships & aid, how much will it cost me to attend each year? How much can my family contribute? What will my estimated loan debt be? Other: ___________________________________

College & University Comparison

• With scholarships & aid, how much will it cost me to attend each year?

• How does the class size feel? Do I feel connected to the professors?

• Is the degree I want offered?

ImportanceCategoryofLevel

• Is the college recommended by the Cardinal Newman Society?

• Does the college have a strong residence life program? Athletics

• Do I qualify for an athletic scholarship?

• Do fans support my sport? Costs & Aid

• Were the tour guides/students I encountered friendly and welcoming? Student & Faith Life

• Do I like the size & setting of the campus? The geographical location?

• Is my sport offered?

Academics

Student & Faith Life

• What will my estimated loan debt be? Other:

• How much can my family contribute?

• Does the school attract quality, mission-fit speakers? Campus & Location

A tip from the Benedictine College Office of Admission: Check out the variety of visit days (personal campus visits, group visits, specialized experiences for homeschooled students, etc.) available at the colleges you are considering.

Consider which type of visit day will best serve your needs depending on where you are in your college decision-making process.

This is my school No, not this school This is my school No, not this school This is my school No, not this school

Benedictine College has been named one of America’s best colleges by the U.S. News & World Report as well as one of the top Catholic colleges in the nation by First Things magazine and the Newman Guide to Choosing a Catholic College more Benedictine.eduat Request additional copies of this guide at Benedictine.edu/homeschoolguide.

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Benedictine College’s mission is to educate men and women within a community of faith and scholarship.

Founded in 1858, Benedictine College is a Catholic, Benedictine, Residential, Liberal Arts college located on the bluffs of the Missouri River in Atchison, Kansas. The college prides itself on outstanding academics, extraordinary faith life, strong athletic programs, and an exceptional sense of community and belonging.