Planning the curriculum, standardized testing and record keeping for high school homeschool students can be daunting. Parents may wonder where to begin to ensure their child is eligible to attend a certain university. Todd Rinehart, the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Enrollment and Director of Admission at the University of Denver, offered insider tips for how homeschool students and their parents can prepare.
When did you first get interested in education? What is your vision for the school?
I became interested in a career in education while I was in college, and have worked in higher education since the day I graduated. Twenty years later, I still find the work rewarding and exciting! I worked at two large, public universities prior to coming to the University of Denver 14 years ago. In 2004, I was promoted to Assistant Vice Chancellor and Director of Admission and have remained in that position the last seven years.
As for the great institution I work for – the University of Denver – we are a perfect blend of a small, liberal arts college and a large, research university. DU is a medium-sized university of 11,000 students (5,000 undergrad) offering personal attention, smaller classes and faculty interaction/access typical of a small college. Yet, we have the research activity, the distinguished faculty and the depth in majors and curriculum found at flagship state universities. We also have Division I athletics. Our location makes us very unique. The Rocky Mountains and the city of Denver provide our students a plethora of opportunities for research, internships, recreation, performing arts and much more. Add to the equation the great weather we receive in sunny Colorado and students have a place that at times, is almost too good to be true.
What records should a homeschool parent keep in preparation for college application and how far back?
In our admission process, the documents we require to make admission decisions are the same for all applicants, and we prefer to only receive materials related to academic work and activities completed while in grades 9 to 12. While we conduct a holistic review of each application that takes into account many factors, the majority of weight in our decision falls on a student’s curriculum, grades earned, and standardized test scores. The records students and parents should keep are the ones related to academic work, extracurricular activities, unique accomplishments, and other items deemed important by the student.
Are there any skills that you suggest homeschooled students work on before entering your school as a college freshman?
Home schooled students are typically very intelligent with a great deal of motivation and passion for learning. These students typically have done a great deal to pursue their academic interests, like taking courses at local colleges. Many have also perfected their skills regarding a particular activity or hobby. However, some students commit so much of their day to academics and those one or two activities that sometimes they forget to be kids and enjoy the ride a bit! The stereotype is that home schooled students are introverted and lack social skills. We certainly haven’t observed that of the students who enroll at DU. Our observation is that they place so much pressure on themselves to succeed, and therefore they should acquire skills to help them balance their lives and cope with the everyday stresses of navigating college life.
What SAT or ACT score should students aim for?
We accept both the SAT and ACT for our admission review, and if students submit both, we will use the highest composite score. For calculating the composite score, if students take either exam more than once, we “superscore” the subsections to maximize their composite score. The middle 50% of our admitted students for this fall for the SAT (1600 scale) is 1150-1320. For the ACT it is 25-30.
What types of extra curriculars do you like to see on a student’s transcript? What about volunteer work? Does that factor into the university’s decision about acceptance and scholarships?
Grades, test scores, and a student’s curriculum play the largest roles in our admission and scholarship processes, but an applicant’s activities, character and overall immersion into the fabric of their communities are important. DU is a private institution dedicated to the public good and we want students who will embrace and live that mission. The caveat, however, is that community service will never override low grades and/or low test scores. Parents oftentimes call me when their son/daughter has been denied and they speak at length about community service and overall involvement. They want to know why we wouldn’t take someone who will contribute in many ways to our campus. What they forget to realize is that the students we admitted with good grades and good test scores were also very involved and engaged in their communities. Finally, for students who are borderline academically, community service, character and overall involvement do make them more competitive when compared to other borderline students with limited involvement.
Overall, we don’t have a preference on the type or volume of a student’s activities, but we recommend that students focus on a few where they can make a genuine impact as opposed to a list of activities a mile wide but only an inch deep. DU is a great place for motivated and curious students who like to participate in class discussions, get involved in the community, travel abroad, conduct research, value diversity and who also love the outdoors and all that our great state of Colorado and city of Denver offer. We are looking for students who have been involved and made a difference in their schools and/or communities and will continue these activities while in college. During the admission process, we review every essay and recommendation and look carefully at the type and level of commitment a student has had with activities and organizations. We value a holistic review of a student’s academic record and personal qualities and characteristics. Finally, we are looking for students who have developed a sense of personal responsibility and have taken ownership of their education.
You have some amazing study abroad opportunities. Can you share a little about those programs and how many students typically participate?
DU has made significant commitments, both financially and philosophically, to enhance the academic culture and experiences of our students. One such investment is the Cherrington Global Scholars program. This program enables students to study abroad for the same cost as a term of attending DU. DU is ranked 4th in the nation among doctoral granting institutions for the percentage of students who study abroad. Nearly 70% of our students have an international, academic experience. Many schools sponsor a semester abroad that resembles a vacation with some academic work. At DU, we provide our students an intentional, transformative academic and cultural experience. We sponsor more than 150 program sites in 55 countries.
DU encourages students to meet with a representative and give an Ammi Hyde Interview. You even offer interviews in 30 different cities across the US to encourage this? How does this interview help an applicant?
The Ammi Hyde admission interview is an opportunity for students to provide “voice” to their application. I mentioned earlier that academic records play the largest role in our admission decisions, but an in-person interview provides great context to an application as well as transcripts, test scores and extracurricular activities. The interview allows students to show us the ways in which they are motivated to learn, concerned about integrity and honesty, and open to differences and new ideas.
What are some of the courses DU expects students to have completed by the end of high school?
DU looks for students who have challenged themselves academically and who have demonstrated success in English, math, social studies, science and languages. Our minimum academic requirements are the same as what is required at the applicant’s high school for graduation, but we encourage students to set their goals higher than the minimum. The curriculum and grades earned in classes at the secondary level are regarded as the most significant criteria in a student’s application. They have proven to be the soundest indicator of academic ability, potential and motivation.
Although no specific requirements concerning secondary school subjects are mandatory at DU, our Admission Committee recommends the following academic selection:
4 years of English
3-4 years of mathematics
3-4 years of natural sciences with at least 2 laboratory sciences
3-4 years of social sciences
3-4 years of foreign language.
Course work should show purpose and continuity and furnish a background for the curriculum offered by the University.
How might letters of recommendation help the student?
DU students assume responsibilities outside the classroom. They’re leaders, volunteers, artists, musicians, athletes, actors and people who lend a helping hand to benefit others. Our Admission Committee looks for well-rounded students who have contributed in their schools or local communities, and who will contribute to the DU community. Essays and letters of recommendation contribute greatly to our overall assessment of an applicant’s personal characteristics and their potential to contribute to our campus.
What information would you want to see on a transcript? Do students also need to send a portfolio of their work?
On the transcript we want to see a clear listing of the courses taken, grades earned as well as an explanation of the grading scale. We do not require a portfolio, but students may submit an abbreviated version if they believe it further explains the type of work they have completed and speaks to their potential as a student.
Since homeschoolers won’t have some of the information a traditionally schooled child would, such as class rank, is more weight given to things like SAT scores? Can you explain this a little?
Very few schools report class rank, so we stopped utilizing that information in our admission process years ago. In some cases, standardized test scores may play a larger role for home schooled students, but generally, they are reviewed in the same manner as traditional students.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Overall, I want people to know that DU provides many amazing opportunities for our students. I previously mentioned the wonderful experiences provided through our study abroad programs, but DU’s reputation is not limited to international education. We have received national recognition for a number of our programs. The Daniels College of Business was recently ranked 2nd for producing students with strong ethical standards; the Josef Korbel School of International Studies is ranked 12th in the nation by Foreign Policy magazine; the Writing Program is one of 24 programs internationally to be recognized for excellence; the Learning Effectiveness Program (LEP) for students with learning disabilities is generally considered one of the top two or three programs in the country.
One unique story about our Josef Korbel School of International Studies is that not only did Dr. Korbel found the school, he mentored two future Secretaries of State-his daughter, Madeline Albright and his former DU student, Condoleezza Rice.
We encourage home schooled students to apply to DU, and believe our enrollment size offers them a perfect environment as they take the next step in their education.