Homeschooled Student Application Process

Applicants that have received their secondary education at home are encouraged to apply to Southern Virginia University. To be considered for admission, homeschooled applicants must submit the following items:

1Online Application

Incoming students must complete the online application along with the $35 application fee. The application contains your personal information, information from your parents and details of your educational and extracurricular activities, including service, athletics and fine arts.

The online application is your opportunity to tell us who you are, what you’ve accomplished and why you think Southern Virginia is a good fit for you. Applications for the fall semester should be submitted by June 1.

Begin Online Application

2Standardized Test Scores

All homeschooled applicants must submit an ACT or three-part SAT score report (score reports that appear on an official high school transcript are acceptable). The minimum standardized test scores for consideration for admission to Southern Virginia University are a 17 on the ACT or 1210 on the three-part SAT. However, the average freshman scores are approximately a 23 on the ACT or 1550 on the SAT.

Provisional acceptance may be offered to students with lower-than-average academic credentials. Applicants are encouraged to take the ACT and/or SAT two or more times.

It is recommended that students take the tests near the end of their junior year of high school (or the equivalent thereof) and again the following fall. The highest cumulative score(s) achieved on a single test date will be used for the admissions evaluation.

Please request that the College Board SAT or ACT send your scores directly to Southern Virginia University using the following codes:

  • Southern Virginia’s SAT code: 5625

  • Southern Virginia’s ACT code: 4400

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3One of the Following:

Official Transcripts

Homeschool students applying to Southern Virginia with zero to 24 college credits who have an accredited high school transcript are required to submit an official copy along with their application. Transcripts should be mailed directly to the Admissions Office:

Office of Admissions
Southern Virginia University
One University Hill Drive
Buena Vista, VA 24416

General Equivalency Diploma

The General Educational Development (or GED) tests are a group of five subject tests which, when passed, certify that the taker has American high-school level academic skills. The GED is also referred to as a General Equivalency Diploma, General Education Diploma, or Graduate Equivalency Degree.

Homeschool Portfolio

Homeschooled students are welcome to supply a homeschool portfolio for the acceptance committee’s consideration. Portfolios will be assessed in four categories: Language Arts, Math and Sciences, Social Sciences, and Electives and Extracurricular Activities.

Get advice on preparing the homeschool portfolio right-arrow

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4Ecclesiastical Endorsement

All students who wish to attend Southern Virginia University must submit an Ecclesiastical Endorsement regardless of their religious affiliation. Please print a copy of the Ecclesiastical Endorsement (PDF) and give it to your ecclesiastical leader to fill out and return to Southern Virginia’s Admissions Office.

The Ecclesiastical Endorsement, along with the student pledge in the online application, is a vital measurement by which Southern Virginia can assess your commitment to live by the principles expressed in our Code of Honor.

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Additional Application Information

Application Deadlines

Southern Virginia University uses a “rolling admissions” process that encourages students to complete their applications early and incentivizes those who do so with guaranteed decision notification dates and discounted registration deposits.

Students may be admitted after the third application deadline according to classroom space and residence hall availability. However, students who complete the admissions process early usually have more options for their class schedule and residence hall selections.

Fall 2012 Application Deadlines

 

  1. January 1, 2012: Applicants who complete and submit their applications (including test scores and/or transcripts) will receive notification of an admissions decision by January 15, 2012.
  2. April 1, 2012: Applicants who complete and submit their applications (including test scores and/or transcripts) will receive notification of an admissions decision by April 16, 2012.
  3. June 1, 2012: Applicants who complete and submit their applications (including test scores and/or transcripts) will receive notification of an admissions decision by June 11, 2012.

 

Applicants may be admitted after the June 1, 2012 deadline according to classroom and residence hall availability.

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Application Review Process

To be admitted to Southern Virginia University, all freshmen applications undergo a comprehensive review that considers the following elements:

  • Ecclesiastical Endorsement
  • Unweighted cumulative high school GPA or homeschool portfolio
  • ACT or SAT scores
  • Seminary attendance
  • Homeschool courses taken
  • Service, including mission, community, or other service
  • Leadership
  • Extracurricular activities and individual talents
  • Other special circumstances or accomplishments

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Recommended Homeschool Courses

Applicants should demonstrate completion of a strong college preparatory schedule by completing the following recommended homeschool courses:

  • Four years of English or literature
  • At least three years of math (algebra I and higher)
  • At least two years of science (one laboratory)
  • At least two years of social studies
  • At least two years of foreign language

Variations to this recommended distribution of courses may be appropriate for some college preparation programs and will be evaluated on an individual basis.

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Advice on Preparing the Homeschool Portfolio

Although we do not have a specific outline for the homeschool portfolio, past students have included such information as:

  • A Homeschool Transcript
  • Summaries of projects completed
  • A list of books read
  • Graded math tests or exams
  • Extracurricular activities
  • Field trips
  • Graded essays
  • Letters of recommendation

Students should feel free to show their creativity and individuality when putting together their portfolios. The point is to showcase their education and abilities and to give evidence of their ability to succeed at Southern Virginia.

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Other Questions?

Contact Your Admissions Counselor