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Home School Policy

With more than 2 million students per year now being taught at home, the popularity of home schooling is at an all time high. We can assume that an increasing percentage of our applicant pool each year will be seeking admission from home schooled programs.

Basic Requirements:

To supplement the basic application components, home educated students must submit a comprehensive description of the program of study (including syllabi with textbooks, where applicable) a complete list of all literary texts completed, the method of instruction (specifically for laboratory sciences) and assessment (written essays/multiple choice examinations, homework, etc.), and a personal statement reflecting on the value of the home schooling experience. Most students who successfully gain admission to the University of Rochester have completed four years of English, four years of mathematics, four years of history/social studies, three years of laboratory science, and three years of foreign language study.

Objective Academic Requirements:

The committee on admission welcomes objective evidence to demonstrate the student's mastery of academic subjects. Standardized test scores (either the SAT I or the ACT) are a required element for the application for admission. While ordinarily only recommended, home educated students are strongly encouraged to submit at least three SAT II achievement test scores. Advanced Placement (AP) and/or International Baccalaureate (IB) examinations may be substituted for SAT II examinations. College or university transcripts from accredited institutions of higher learning should also be submitted for committee review (if applicable) and are highly recommended as most successful home-schooled applicants have completed college level course work.

Subjective Requirements:

While ordinarily listed as optional, home educated students are strongly encouraged to submit at least two letters of recommendation from outside instructors or employers. An on-campus or telephone interview with an admissions counselor is also required and should be initiated by the applicant.

Home schooled students, like all Rochester applicants, are eligible for merit scholarship consideration and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.