Comprehensive Record Solution
Review by Molly Evert of My Audio School

I recently completed the records for my homeschooled son’s freshman year in high school.  I was nervous about writing his transcript and unsure about how to best showcase my child’s unique strengths, but Lee Binz demystified the process for me with her Comprehensive Record Solution.  In hindsight I needn’t have worried so much about the transcript, as it didn’t take me long to put it together once I had a good model to follow.

My son’s transcript shows that he received excellent grades, but a transcript is a limited document.  It cannot adequately reveal the academic rigor of my child’s coursework.  That’s where the Comprehensive Record Solution (CRS) comes in!  It is a useful tool which goes way beyond the transcript.  Lee taught me how to write course descriptions which authenticate the hard work my child has done, enabling me to show off areas where he shined.  In addition to descriptions for each of his classes, his comprehensive record also contains his reading list, an activities and awards list, and a selection of work samples from each of his classes.

Initially I was overwhelmed when I thought of documenting his high school records.  Lee’s encouragement helped me to overcome my fears and to tackle the process in bite sized chunks.  In the end, it didn’t take nearly as long as I thought it would, even though I wasn’t as organized as I should have been.  It will be even easier next year, now that I have the framework completed and know what I should be doing along the way to streamline the process.

The CRS was convenient to use since much of the information is presented in three formats: audio, video, and print format.  I could use the format that appeals most to me (video) to learn the system.  Then I could easily flip to one of the articles to refresh my memory on specific points as I was going through the process, and I was even able to download some of the audio sessions to listen to on the go.

The features I liked best about the CRS were the samples and templates included in the course.  I gleaned a lot from looking at sample records that others had put together, and she had tons of sample course descriptions which I could easily adapt for my own purposes.  It was easy to jump in and get started using the blank downloadable templates provided with the course.  I was able to prepare a professional looking product relatively quickly thanks to the previously formatted templates.  Lee even offers to review some of your course descriptions to make sure you are putting your child’s best foot forward.

I initially thought the price of this course was steep, but I changed my mind after using it.  My son is still in high school, so we have yet to see what kind of scholarships he will be offered based on his grades and test scores, but well prepared and thorough records can only serve to help him as he seeks to get the most scholarship money he can.  I truly believe he will receive many more scholarship offers because of his excellent records than he would have if I had not prepared a comprehensive record.  I feel confident that his comprehensive record highlights his unique strengths and effectively demonstrates the rigor of his course of study.  Lee relieved this busy homeschool mom’s stress, by giving me the tools and the know-how to prepare excellent and thorough records.  For those reasons, I believe I will get exponentially more value out of this product than what Lee is selling it for.  With that said, I received a free three month trial of Comprehensive Record Solution in exchange for my honest review, and was not compensated in any other way.

Applying to college doesn’t mean you’ll get in. And frankly, rejection HURTS. This letter is from Michelle, who shares her hurting heart and looks for words of encouragement and suggestions.

Hi Lee,

I guess I am writing you to just vent. My daughter applied to BYU-Idaho last month and she just received an email telling her that her homeschool transcript was not valid.

Here is the exact message: “Thank you for your interest in attending a CES school. We have received your home school transcript, but unfortunately, our office is unable to process it as it is not from an accredited institution. However, if you have attended an accredited high school institution and have additional credit from that institution, could you please send us that transcript? Thank you so much and have a nice day!”

I got your book a couple years ago, studied it and followed it very closely so I would have a transcript that would be taken seriously. I sent a transcript on official watermarked paper, used Transcript Pro to help me with the layout and included a separate course descriptions packet. Everything depended on the professionalism of the transcript and course descriptions because my daughter hasn’t take a single course that was accredited, due to finances. She took courses from accredited schools, but we couldn’t afford their record keeping services on top of the tuition. She did dual enrollment this year at a local private college and did very well.

Receiving this email from the college was like a slap in the face, especially since it was my and my husband’s alma mater. She has applied to two other colleges and now I am very nervous about her prospects and her future. Do you have any words of encouragement?

Thanks,
Michelle

Dear Michelle,

Vent away! Not everything works out perfectly, that’s for sure.

I checked the BYU website here: http://saas.byu.edu/catalog/2010-2011ucat/GeneralInfo/Admissions.php

High School Graduation: Applicants should be graduates of fully accredited high schools. Those who complete their secondary education through the General Education Development Test (GED), home study, home school, or other programs will be reviewed individually by the Admissions Committee to determine admissibility. Additional information (achievement tests, personal interview, etc.) may be required as part of the application process.

I’d say “push back.” The policy looks similar to the University of California policy. Call the admission office and ask that your application packet be “individually reviewed.”

Better still, have your child call the admission office. Have your child quote their policy and ask them to review her application individually.

My own Alma Mater gave me a slap in the face, too. The University of Washington rejected our application until I called and asked for an individual review. It was AFTER that and AFTER they read my course description that we were given admission and good scholarships.

BYU-Idaho has a different policy: http://www.byui.edu/admissions/students/apply/homeschool.shtml

Home/Private School Information: Home school, private school, and charter school diplomas are only accepted from schools accredited with the following accrediting organizations. If your program is not accredited with one of the above organizations, you will be required to submit one of the following in addition to your ACT or SAT scores for the academic portion of your admission review: GED, COMPASS, 15 credits at an accredited college/university.

Your daughter HAS taken some accredited courses (or good-as accredited) if she took some dual enrollment classes. I would be sure to point that out to them. Make sure you have that college send a transcript to the university as well. That alone could change everything.

You might also give them some feedback based on the wording of their rejection. Another mom did that, and was quite successful. You can read the story here: College Policy Discourages Homeschool Applicants.

And remember, this is not an easy college to get into anyway. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket, but apply to a variety of other schools as well. Another mom contributed to a blog post last year, and perhaps some of her words will also help you: Lessons Learned from College Rejections.

Dear Lee,

Your sign off “Blessings” is more true than you may realize. When I realized how much I needed some guidance from a successful homeschooler of upper level students, I decided that you would be the perfect person to call. I spent several days figuring out how to ask for your help. Can you imagine my relief when I saw your brochure? I could call you and not be begging for help, but accepting your talents!

Your positive and encouraging ways made me realize that I can succeed. You helped me stop useless duplication and time wasting. Tom was immediately more responsive and cooperative. I was not the slave driver or fun slayer, I was the person implementing a well ordered plan. You, of course, outlined all our work using the texts and courses that I had chosen. Between your organizing our study schedule and the bird clock which sings every hour, I am not the target of my son’s discomfort. I am a coach and teacher instead. We have had a wonderful year.

Your newsletter has been a great help. I have forwarded it to several people who also have teen aged students, whether they homeschool or not. I’m sure that with a few follow up meetings with you I’ll be able to guide my son successfully through the next few years. You’re worth your weight in gold.

So, Blessings to you, Lee.

~CJ in Washington

The HomeScholar provides a free monthly e-newsletter, daily blog support, low cost DVDs and private consultations — everything you need to successfully homeschool through high school.

“Thank you!! we are late to homeschooling. I am a grandparent of an 11th grader who is now raising her. Our decision to home was just made this week and we are doing ok, but floundering around at times. My daughter (her aunt) homeschools her kids and has been an enormous help. I have found your letter to have some really great stuff in it. We want her to go to college but she is so much happier doing this at home and I can use all the help I can get. great newsletter, thanks so much”

It reminded me of how many homeschooling grandmothers I met at the last homeschool convention. Here is my response to her:

“Dear Joyce,
You are so welcome! Boy, I’m seeing more and more grandparents homeschooling these days. Schools are just SO different than they used to be! I’m really proud of you for taking on such a big job. I must say, I’ve seen grandparents be EXTREMELY successful when the teen is willing and eager to stay home. If you ever feel like you are in over your head, my DVD is a nice overview. It’s intended for homeschoolers with 9th and 10th graders, but since you are just starting, it would be perfect.
Have a great day!
Blessings,
Lee“

“I’ve posted before about my amazing online homeschool support group.
Lee has been one of my loopy friends for many years. She no longer homeschools her boys but she stays on our list to inspire and encourage us. Even though her kids are much older than mine, she’s been a great source of support for me in topics like chess, Latin, math, literature, science and more.

Both of her boys went off to college this year. One of them was just 16. They both received full tuition scholarships to their first choice college, and both skipped their freshmen year entirely through CLEPing several classes.

Impressive? Yes.
Unusual? Maybe.
Smart boys? Yep.
Impossible? No, in fact entirely possible.

When Lee’s boys started college, instead of returning to her professional nursing career, she decided to continue doing what she knew, what she loved best–homeschooling. She started her own business to help other homeschool families successfully make the transition from home to college. She offers a wide variety of support services, including planning curriculum, creating transcripts, scholarship searches, and help with the college admissions process.

Check out her terrific website, The HomeScholar, and sign up for her free monthly newsletter. She’s full of great advice and her recent topics include:

• tips for studying and passing CLEP exams
• brilliant ideas such as planning a writing curriculum around scholarship essays
• how to keep skills sharp over the summer (like my post yesterday, although her newsletter didn’t come out until today)

Holly’s only going into 7th grade. But it’s not too early for me to keep an eye on high school and how those choices will affect college. This would be true whether or not we homeschool high school.

I am so grateful for those truly courageous families who forged the homeschool path ahead of us, making possible the many wonderful options we have now, which continue to grow each year. (Homeschooling wasn’t legal in every state until the mid-1990s.) Lee is one of those people who not only blessed her own sons by teaching them at home, but she’s also blessed so many of us, making a difference in the lives of our children. It’s amazing what you can do just by encouraging someone else.”

Thank you, Kristine, for your wonderful comments!