You donu2019t need a traditional transcript. Colleges accept them because schools run as factories and thatu2019s the best schools can do. Homeschoolers have the opportunity to stand out from the crowd. They can show what theyu2019re capable of, what theyu2019ve accomplished and what theyu2019re passionate about.What colleges really care about is, Are you prepared with the knowledge youu2019ll need to use? Are you capable of the type of work done in their college? And, are you a good fit?If homeschooled students donu2019t create a traditional transcript, they can be seen by admissions more like adult applicants. An adult applicant may have a high school transcript thatu2019s too old (more than five years) to be relevant. And yet they can get into college through what theyu2019ve been doing.If youu2019re doing some form of school at home, your parents can write up a transcript similar to the one schools do.Include a narrative description of what you worked on in the standard subject areas. Itu2019s not recommended that grades be added. Thereu2019s no accrediting agency overseeing parents, so grades given out by parents are basically meaningless. Some admissions offices may see grades that are essentially made up as a strike against an applicant.If youu2019re an eclectic or unschooler, in your transcript focus on the areas youu2019ve been exploring and want to further study in college u2025 for instance, everything related to fashion, Japanese culture, or bioscience. Also include how youu2019ve been building knowledge in skills like math, writing, and anything outside your areas of interest, including community service.It can also be helpful to take some community college courses in your areas of interest. That will not only show your interest in what you want to study in college, but show a college youu2019re capable of college work. In most states, you can dual enroll in community college as a junior and senior. In some states itu2019s free, even for homeschoolers, since itu2019s considered part of a free public school education.Many community colleges will require placement tests to test knowledge of math, reading and writing. (Placement Assessments has a good description and links to practice tests.) The college will require completion of courses that bring a student up to college level in those areas. (The courses can be taken concurrently with other courses.) Note: these assessments are in place because schooled students are arriving at college without the necessary skills. A homeschooled student shouldnu2019t see not being up to college level as a negative. If a homeschooled student can get up to speed in a semester or two without having spent 12 years in formal study, thatu2019s a bonus in saved time!Hereu2019s an example of a grade 11 narrative transcript provided by Houghton College in New York. u201cTextsu201d doesnu2019t need to be textbooks. For unschoolers and eclectic homeschoolers, they generally wonu2019t be textbooks.http://www.houghton.edu/am-site/...Grade 11 (non-graded)English/American LiteratureTexts:* The Beginnings of American Literature (Property Books, 1991)* Anthology of American Literature (University Press, 1992)* The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne* The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald* Selected Short Series (University Press, 1988)* The Sound and the Fury, John Steinback* The Last of the Mohicans, James Fenimore CooperEnrichment Activities:Attended performances of Harvey, Carousel, and A Streetcar Named Desire, wrote classic book column for Central Michigan Home Schoolers quarterly newsletterMathematicsTexts:* Algebra 2 and Trigonometry (Academic Press, 1994)HistoryTexts:* Development of American Government, 1750-1950 (College Books, 1991)* Michigan State History (Michigan Collegium Press, 1982)Enrichment Activities:Two-week summer tour of Michigan historical sites, attended lectures u201cFootnote Characters in MI Historyu201d and u201cThe Future of Michigan-Canadian Relationsu201d at Mid Michigan CollegePhysical ScienceTexts:* Basic Physics (Science Academy Press, 1995)* God in the Physical World (Providence Books, 1992)Enrichment Activities:Completed 10 physics experiments under supervision of a physicist who attends our churchGermanTexts:* Intermediate German/German 3 (Modern Language Press, 1990)* German History and the Holocaust (Academy Press, 1996)* Modern Germany (Academy Press, 1994)Enrichment Activities:Visited Holocaust Museum, Washington, D.C., established pen pal connection with teen in Bonn, GermanyBible/ReligionTexts:* Preparing Christians for the Next Century (Spirit Books, 1997)* Church History: 1900-1970 (Christian University Books, 1993)Enrichment Activities:Attended two day-long seminars on youth leadership, Christ Community ChurchMiscellaneous activities, awards & involvementsMusic and Art* Sang Handelu2019s Messiah with community chorus* Voice lessons with Mary Smith (Michigan Chorale)* Toured Detroit and Anne Arbor art museumsComputer Skills* Familiar with Internet use and various software, including Claris Works, Quicken, WordPerfect,Quattro Pro and PageMakerSports and Recreation* Played on homeschool basketball team in Central Michigan YMCA league, November-March,weekly* Rock climbing expeditions, Christian Climbers ClubSpeech* Recited u201cThe Ravenu201d and u201cCasey at the Batu201d at Michigan homeschool conventionCommunity Service* Volunteer (awarded medal for 60 hours) at Parkside Nursing Home* Letter to the editor, published (3) The Daily Standard* Assistant coach, Central Michigan t-ballChurch* Member, First Community Church* Attend worship and youth services weekly* Counselor at churchu2019s summer childrenu2019s camp* Participated in missions trip to Appalachia (work project)