3 Powerful Ways to Enhance a Transcript

By Vicki on 08 May 2011 / Curricula, High School / 2 Comments

Competition is fierce for entrance into some colleges.

For many homeschoolers, college is the next step after high school. How can he/she add power to a good transcript?

1) Develop expertise in a talent.

Colleges are often impressed when a transcript shows that a student has put quality time into a talent and developed expertise in that area.

Various ones of my homeschool alumni family- photo by Joanna

When my daughter was in high school, she was passionate about photography and showed talent in that area. In order to develop that gift, she took courses at the local community college- earning a certificate in Visual Communications at the same time she was graduating from high school.

When she interviewed with the department chair at the college she liked best, she came armed with a professional quality portfolio and walked out with an extra scholarship.

2) Find appropriate competitions.

One of my sons had skill in film production. We looked for competitions to show his determination and skill in that arena.

-As part of our Cinematography Club in our homeschool support group, we took some teens and their film entries to the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival for several years.

-He entered, with his friends, music videos into Association of Christian Schools International’s Regional Fine Arts Competition. (ACSI allowed our support group to participate as a non-member school.)

-He kept his eyes open for other, smaller competitions and, with his friends, produced small videos to enter.

3) Volunteer in the Talent Area

Find a community organization or ministry that could use your teen’s skill.

Urban Promise- my favorite local ministry!

Both my son and my daughter used their skills to help out the local Urban Promise ministry. Ezra produced a promotional video. Joanna did photography for their promotional brochures.

All these things go work to make a powerful transcript. List special courses under curriculum, competitions and volunteer work in separate sections on the transcript.

You can find more information about building a powerful transcript by clicking "High School" in our archives.

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ALSO- If you'd like support and encouragement in transcript building, check out our coaching page. Vicki, Marilyn, Kym, and Sabrina are standing by to help.

Related Posts:

• Enhance Your Homeschool Transcript with Movies
• How to Earn Homeschool Transcript Credit in Filmmaking
• 5 Cool Ways to Earn Homeschool High School Credits
• 26 Credits Your Homeschool High School Transcript Needs