Testimonials ~~ HomeScholar Products

Teachable Moments: Getting the BIG Scholarships DVD

"I want to thank you for your DVD "Getting the BIG Scholarships". I was especially impressed with the indepth explanation on writing college admission essays ~ your tips on what to do and what not to do have already been helpful to us! As our older son, a senior this year, prepares to apply for college scholarships, we will use the information you gave on your DVD to help him stand out and be the one the colleges he's applying to are looking for. Our younger son, now in ninth grade, will be following your advice and begin writing his college admission essays this school year! Your DVD on getting big scholarships was very helpful, informative, insightful and practical in its advice and real world application. Now we are armed with the insider information we need to make our son's scholarship applications stand out above the crowd and get noticed ~ and bring in the BIG scholarships! Blessings,"

~ Trish in Arkansas

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"Lee,
Thank you so much for the DVD, "Getting the BIG Scholarships." It was so helpful and informative.It encouraged me that I am on track with my daughter in many areas and helped me see areas that we still need to work on.I am especially encouraged to think that private Christian college is not necessarily out of our reach.We have had friends with college-age kids tell us that full-ride scholarships are rare and too hard to get.From the information on this DVD I definitely feel their information is unnecessarily pessimistic.

The information on the DVD is extremely well organized as well, making the information easy to follow and understand. Because we have been homeschooling for so long, it was easy to see how so much of what we have been doing all along will help my daughter in searching for and attaining scholarship money. I loved hearing that my daughter’s specific and unique areas of specialization make up for any weak points she may have in her education, and will not hurt her chances at scholarships in the long run. For instance, her years of studying music should more than compensate for her lack of learning any art history.

I really liked the information you provided on writing college essays, although I do wish I had started my oldest writing those essays sooner. But we will start from where we are now and I will definitely follow your advice for my 13 yr. old daughter, having her write essays regularly from now on. Your DVD has also inspired me to get my daughter’s high school work organized. While I have her work together, I am definitely what you would call a “cubbie” and I’d like to become a “binder queen.” I found your suggestions extremely helpful andI plan on recommending this DVD to all of my homeschooling friends. Thanks again,"

~ Laura Stein in Illinois

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Lee Binz’s DVD, Finding a College, provides parents and students with a methodical approach to successfully searching for and identifying the right college; it is a wonderful tool and confidence booster. What a great resource for parents and students to get a quick but thorough overview of the overwhelming process of finding a college. It doesn't seem quite so overwhelming now!

Lee takes the viewer through the complete process in a highly organized fashion. She details her step-by-step approach including: finding colleges to visit, comparing college statistics, visiting colleges, and applying to the colleges that provide the best fit for your child. She fully explains each step in the process and provides first-hand examples from the experiences she had with the college selection process for her two sons. Throughout the presentation, she uses courtship as an analogy to the relationship between colleges and the families considering those colleges for their children; not only is your student seeking a college – the colleges are seeking your student as well. Lee coaches you on how to find the right match.

Lee style is engaging, clear, pleasant and motivational. Her DVD not only had great content, but it was also very encouraging. She shows the viewer how to do it in a way that gives the viewer confidence that the long and daunting process is one that anyone can overcome by using her systematic approach. The logic of that approach combined with her first-hand examples enhance the credibility of her presentation.

Also included with the DVD is a great handout that provides the outline of her thoughtful step-by-step approach. The handout is an excellent resource. It includes numerous publications and useful websites to help in the identification and comparison of an initial list of potential colleges. The handout further provides resources for planning visits and completing applications to the final choices you make.

The DVD was filmed in front of a live audience which gives you a sense of being in the room. The video and audio were clear. While there were some slight distractions early on in the presentation, from attendees stepping in front of the camera as they entered the room, they did not interfere with a complete understanding of the message. All in all, viewing the DVD was similar to being able to attend the presentation in person.

Lee’s DVD is a great jump start to diving into the overwhelming sea of information concerning the college search process. While I always knew there were numerous resources available on individual colleges and massive guidebooks comparing one college with another, I had trouble knowing exactly where to start. Homeschooling during the high school years is tough enough without having the college search process hanging over your head. Lee’s presentation helped me understand the process as one that my family can successfully negotiate if we begin and complete it in an organized manner. I’m confident that Lee’s step-by-step method will be a great roadmap to success in finding the right match for my children."

~ Dorette Taylor in Rogers, Arkansas

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I loved the way you compared "finding a college" to finding "the love of your life." That really put a perspective on college hunting that I hadn't thought of before watching this DVD. Your college education will last you a lifetime and therefore you should chose well.

Your step-by-step outline of the process used to help your sons' find a college is straight-forward and easy to understand. I had no idea there were so many scholarships available or how to go about applying for them. How I wish I'd had this information when I was helping my two oldest daughters find colleges. This information will be put to good use for my two younger daughters!

I really did enjoy watching the DVD and seeing you in action! You are an articulate and poised speaker. I wish I had a smidgen of your talent!"

~ Sue Conry in Hot Springs, Arkansas

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Preparing to Homeschool High School DVD

"Hi Lee!! I was so encouraged by your video! Now I know that though this journey may be tough it is possible to make it through with great success. I look forward to reading your newsletter!! I have already told a few friends about your DVD and will continue to spread the word. Thanks again for the encouragement!!!"

~ Shannon in Missouri

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"Lee Binz is a homeschooling mom who has graduated her two sons. Her boys ended up with full scholarships to their first choice college. They succeeded in many CLEP tests as well prior to starting school. Lee started a consulting business called The HomeScholar to help out those of us who feel like they are not prepared to homeschool a high schooler.

I was thrilled to check out the three disc set of DVD's about preparing to homeschool a high school student. I truly felt like it was a mini-homeschool conference right in my own living room. Lee had very practical advice to give. In fact, I plan to add two of the books she recommends in to my niece's curriculum as soon as possible. She was very reassuring. It's always easy to listen to people give advice, but there was even more credibility for me since Lee has been there & done that and has the proof in where her boys are now at school. They succeeded so I now feel I can get it in place to do the same for my niece & then my boys. Even though my oldest is 11, I now have the confidence to continue as I had planned & not feel like I'm in over my head. Thanks, Lee!"

~ Lisa in Maine

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"Dear Lee,

This is fantastic! I feel as though I was able to sit across the table from a close friend and mentor as she guided me through the process of homeschooling high school! I absolutely LOVED the fact that what you offered where PRINCIPLES that could be applied no matter what "style" of homeschooling one chooses. And even better, they can be applied to each unique student and situation within a family, allowing customization (and specialization). This is much better than the alternative of presenting some sort of one-size-fits-all, this-is-what-you-have-to-do-to-get-into-college regimen. You teach people how to take their unique homeschooling experience and translate it into a college-prep program. What a gift!! For me, you helped bring validation to some "scattered" learning experiences while also bringing clarity and focus to some areas that needed attention.

I appreciated your calm demeanor through out our "visit" - it was a soothing balm for someone like me who tends to get all worked up and stressed out. LOL I also truly appreciated your transparency. It was refreshing to know that you aren't perfect, that you have areas of weakness just like that rest of us (truly a surprise to me), and that you were scared too (really?!). You made me believe that anyone CAN do this! With this presentation, you made so many things come clearly into focus that I only wish I had seen it before my oldest was in high school! Instead, we are learning the hard way many of the very things you advocate - doing the next thing (the value of forward momentum); math every year (at whatever level is appropriate); etc. Also, your reasoning for providing *every* student with a college prep education was one of the very best I've ever heard! It makes perfect sense and was such an "a ha" moment for me! That may be one of the most valuable things I take away from this. I have 7 children and who knows what each will plan to do?? As you mention, this could be their only chance at a formal education! Conversely, plans do change as we are experiencing with the oldest son.

All my gushing aside, I thought the content was well thought-out, easy to follow, and logically presented. The production quality was on par with other homeschooling videos I have purchased. The breadth and depth of information was perfect - challenging, but not overwhelming.Your clear examples and "been-there-done-that" stories were invaluable

My overall impression of the presentation is that it is FABULOUS and fills a GAPING need in the homeschooling community.I absolutely can't wait to get my hands on your college series and I can promise you that I will buy anything you produce! Hugs,"

~Deann in Texas

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"Parents deciding to homeschool through high school need one attribute more than any other…confidence. It takes confidence, along with faith and sheer guts, to take homeschooling into the land of transcripts and college applications. Which is why Lee Binz focuses on helping parents grab hold of that vital confidence in her new DVD set "Preparing to Homeschool High School."

The three professionally done DVDs cover a wide range of high school topics. In addition to assuring parents that yes, they can do this, Lee covers choosing curriculum, lesson planning, keeping records (this is one of the best segments), socialization and college entrance exams among other vital subjects. At the end of each DVD, Lee spotlights the resources that she mentions in those segments which is quite helpful.

At the beginning, and all through the presentation, Lee stresses continuing to use what has worked for you in the past. She tries admirably to accommodate all the various homeschooling philosophies while focusing on a college prep education that will allow a child to have a range of choices after high school. Although this set may be best suited for traditional, classic, relaxed or eclectic homeschoolers, even unschoolers will find invaluable information on resources to provide for their children who want to go onto college.

Lee is teaching from both her very successful experience as a homeschool mom with two graduates who both earned full tuition scholarships to their first choice universities as well as a wealth of consulting experience. You could compare this DVD set to a one day seminar that would likely cost you much more in terms of time and money AND you can watch it over and over again!

In fact, if you are just starting into the high school years, or if you are stuck in the middle with serious issues, I recommend getting the $125 package that includes a one-hour telephone consultation. You can watch the DVDs making careful note of all your questions and then get them answered with the consultation. That is a serious prescription to fill the confidence Rx that we all need to homeschool high school."

~ Karen Davis in North Carolina

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"Last night while the rest of the family was watching junk on TV, I watched the first DVD. I think you've done a great job. You gave all the pertinent info about courses needed for high school which some parents may not know. I'm going to be looking for the Cohen book - I'll buy it if need be since college is so important. I LOVED your comment about homeschooling being a Vocation - I've not heard that outside of Catholic homeschool circles. It's nice to see that it's thought of that way by others as well. Now I need to know the truth - is that really your beautiful home library or is it a blue screen?"

~ Renée in Germany

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Sample Comprehensive Record

"I really love your comprehensive record. The very next day and evening I made an activity and awards sheet for my son. He is an up and coming yoyo star, that is his specialization at the moment. I came up with a full sheet covering his summer as well as the months of September and October. As you can see, I will have quite a transcript for him by the time he is a senior. I also put together a folder for all his subjects like you suggested and I hope it will work for him. I personally think it is a great idea. Thank you for your commitment to home schoolers,"

~ Mary Ann in Washington

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"I really enjoyed the Sample Comprehensive Record! It really helped to see how you scored your grades, particularly in areas where you did not use a textbook. I also enjoyed your booklists. Thanks again for all the encouragement your high school video and record book have given me. It really does help to see someone's complete coursework all documented."

~ Dorette in Arkansas

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