Happy Friday!

“What the…? That doesn’t belong on a transcript!”

I’ll never forget it. I met with an admissions rep, and she told me about a homeschooler who included babysitting on her transcript.

She was fired up.

And honestly? She was right. Babysitting didn’t belong on that transcript.

Because the moment a transcript reads like a catch-all list of everything your teen does, it loses credibility…and clarity.

But here’s the tricky part.

When you homeschool, the line between school and life is blurry.

There’s no clean line between academics and “extracurriculars.”

Learning shows up everywhere - passion projects, routines, side gigs, and yes, even babysitting.

That’s where many homeschoolers go wrong.

👉 Just because something is valuable doesn’t mean it belongs on the transcript.
​
In fact, sometimes it can do more harm than good.

And that was the day I came up with…

The Eye Roll Test.

Not sure if something belongs on the transcript?
​
Ask yourself if an admissions rep would give it one great big eye roll. 😂

Friday Tip: Ask Why Before Where

As a parent, it’s tempting to want every worthy effort by your teen on the transcript.

I usually hear it in these terms, “But he worked so hard; I want to give him credit.”

Fair! But the question then becomes, what kind of credit? High school credit or simple recognition?

I’ve seen parents go in circles when thinking their way through this.

Here’s the good news…

👉 Most applications have a built-in “Activities” section. That’s the perfect place for anything that shows your teen’s initiative, commitment, or passion.

Any activity - formal or not, part of an organization or not - can go in that section.

But parents often ask about these on The Transcript:

• Music
• Dance
• Sports
• Personal Health and Exercise Routines
• Arts (and Crafts)

Is there a right or wrong in what you decide? Nope, not at all!

But let’s break it down.

Reasons to put an activity on the Transcript:

• It includes real learning (not just participation)
• It has structure (scope, materials, goals - even loosely)
• It connects to your teen’s personal goals
• It supports an intended major
• It makes sense for your teen’s academic story
• It’s worth writing a Course Description for

Reason to put it on the Activities List:

• It’s your teen’s story to tell, not yours
• They can share why it matters in their own voice
• They could use more meaningful activities on the list
• Their transcript is already busy enough
• You’re not sure the course description will even be seen
  ​

Remember: More credits do not mean more impressive.

You don’t need to prove your teen is doing “enough.”
​
You (and your teen) need to show how what they’re doing already matters.

So, before you include that sewing project or jujitsu practice on the transcript, ask yourself, “Why?” and run it through your new favorite exercise:

The Eye Roll Test. 😉

Your Weekend To-Do

1. Review your transcript. Highlight anything that might not read as a course to an admissions rep. Ask: Is this academic? Is this structured? Would this raise questions or cause an eye roll?
2. Sit down with your teen and list all non-academic activities. Include lessons or hobbies you considered putting on the transcript.
3. Decide where each belongs. Transcript? Activities List? Counselor Letter? Nowhere at all? Be confident in your decision. Remember, there’s no right or wrong!
4. Turn one of them into a short activity description or course description. Use the 3 I’s from last week’s Fearless Friday: Initiative, Impact, and Insight.

Weekend Reading

Wanna know my favorite way to organize your transcript for the most impact? 🤔

Check out my blog post, Why Your Homeschool Transcript Should Be Organized by Year and I’ll show you why AND how!

From a Facebook Group Member

“I’m afraid my daughter’s transcript is a mess! How do I show the work she put in all 5 years?”

📌 Pop in the group to answer or see the answers!

Want more? Here are 4 ways I can help:

• ​Hourly Consultations
• 1:1 Consulting for High School Planning​
• 1:1 Consulting for Juniors and Seniors​
• Fearless Homeschoolers Template Shop for those who want to DIY their record-keeping and college application homeschool documents.

Reach out when you’re ready!

Want more like this?

I send one short, meaningful newsletter every Friday evening. Join thousands of homeschool families who are walking this road thoughtfully, not fearfully.

Subscribe to Fearless Fridays

Happy Friday!

By the time my son, Collin, was 15, his math skills were way beyond mine.

Fortunately, my friend’s father was a math professor and he invited Collin to audit classes at his university.

What a life changing opportunity for Collin.

He was finally surrounded by like-minded peers, he was challenged academically, and he was able to garner some great letters of recommendation.

It happens to most of us when high school rolls around.

We need to outsource some or all of our teen’s classes to meet their needs.

And our own!

Friday Tip: Choose Dual Enrollment Classes Wisely

One way you can outsource during high school is through Dual Enrollment (DE). Dual enrollment is a great way to earn college credit AND high school credit at the same time. Awesome, right?

And, these days, the options are plentiful. Your homeschooler no longer has to take DE classes in person at the local community college. They may be able to take them at a local high school or online from a college across the country.

Take a look at the benefits for your teen:

• They get a head start earning college credit
• Their credits may reduce college costs later on
• Their credits may reduce their time at a 4 year university
• They can double up on subjects if they want to or need to
• They can take classes in the summer
• They can take interesting electives or niche classes
• They gain independence and confidence
• They get exposed to different people & perspectives
• They demonstrate a readiness for college
• Their strong grades validate your homeschool transcript​
• They can get letters of recommendation from professors!

It’s not a surprise that homeschoolers have long taken advantage of DE classes.

But, often, they sign up through their local community college without thinking twice. And it’s not all unicorns and rainbows…especially when you have a college-bound teen.

Here’s the trouble with Dual Enrollment:

• College classes are not necessarily rigorous
• Some professors are better than others
• Online, asynchronous classes offer no engagement with professors or peers
• Live classes require weekly commitment & travel time
• Some community college systems are stronger than others
• Each state or region has its own rules and age limits for DE students
• DE students are often limited in the classes they’re allowed to take
• Your teen’s college credits may not be accepted by 4 year universities
• The community college transcript follows them forever
• DE professors may not be able to write STRONG letters of recommendation if they don’t really know your teen.

That last point is important. In order for your teen to get strong letters of rec for college applications, the instructor needs to know your teen beyond, “He earned an A.”

Are DE classes worth it? Absolutely! Just be a good researcher before signing up for one!

Your Weekend To-Do

1. Research your local community college’s Dual Enrollment program…even if you have an 8th grader.
2. Research other options out there. Local universities, online colleges.
3. Sit down with your teen and ask how they’d feel about taking college classes. Make a tentative high school plan that includes DE if you so choose.
4. Remember: if you have a junior, set your teen up for for strong letters of recommendation with professors who can get to know them.
5. Community Colleges will want a copy of your homeschool transcript. Update your record keeping and transcript template!

Weekend Reading

Not sure whether to create a transcript organized by subject or year? 🤷‍♀️

👉 Read my blog post, “Why Your Homeschool Transcript Should Be Organized by Year.”

From a Facebook Group Member

“My daughter has taken several university courses. Do I need to order, pay and send the official transcript to all colleges for the application deadline?”

📌 Pop in the group to answer or see the answers!

Have a fantastic weekend, my friends!

Want more like this?

I send one short, meaningful newsletter every Friday evening. Join thousands of homeschool families who are walking this road thoughtfully, not fearfully.

Subscribe to Fearless Fridays