Colleges, universities more welcoming of homeschooled students

And where colleges and universities once questioned how to accommodate homeschooled students -- and sometimes even shunned them -- institutions of higher learning now are increasingly more welcoming when their admission applications arrive.

In 2000, 52 percent of all colleges in the country had a formal evaluation policy for applications from homeschoolers, according to the National Association for College Admission Counseling.

Four years later, the number jumped to 83 percent. During that time, 45 percent of colleges reported receiving more applications from homeschoolers.

Tracy Morris, director of admissions at Illinois Valley Community College, said community colleges often are an ideal place for homeschooled students to begin their college careers since anyone age 16 or older can enroll through a fairly simple application process.

"IVCC is an open admissions institution," she said. "A home education diploma or GED is not required for admission. Transcripts are also not necessary for admission."