College Planning for Homeschoolers FAQ

Do admission officers accept letters from religious mentors or extracurricular instructors for homeschooled students?

Yes. Admission officers understand that most homeschooled students don’t have a school counselor. They accept letters of recommendation from any adults who are influential in the students' lives. That said, they're interested in hearing from somebody who understands the applicant’s academic skills, so your child should try to get a letter from one of their course instructors—colleges prefer this not be the parent.

Students who aren’t homeschooled may also be able to submit recommendations from adults who aren't affiliated with their school, but some colleges ask specifically for one letter from a teacher and one from a school counselor. Students may have the option of providing a third letter from any other adult who knows them well.

Can students who are homeschooled take AP Exams?

Yes. Email AP Services for Students or call 888-225-5427 by September 4 for a list of schools in your area where your child may be able to take the exam.

How do homeschooled students create College Board accounts?

Homeschoolers can create a free College Board account by providing all the same information that traditionally schooled students provide. Instead of answering the question "Where do you go to school?" they should check the box next to "I am no longer in high school/My school is not listed."

What's the "high school code" for homeschooled students?

When your child registers for the SAT, they'll be asked for their high school code. The high school code for all homeschoolers is 970000.

Students who attend traditional schools can look up their school code online or get it from their school counselor.

If your child's school doesn't have a school code, they should use 000003 (in the U.S. or U.S. territories) or 000004 (outside the U.S.) when they register.

Where can I find more information to help my homeschooler apply to college?

BigFuture has lots of information to help any student through the college application process. It includes sections on how to find and compare colleges, apply for scholarships, get effective letters of recommendation, and more. It also features video interviews with college students and college admission officers to help your child navigate the application process.