Resources › For Students and Parents Can Online High School Graduates Go to College? Print For Students and Parents Distance Learning Online High School Online College Online Public Schools Free Courses Homework Help Private School Test Prep College Admissions College Life Graduate School Business School Law School View More By Jamie Littlefield Jamie Littlefield Education Expert M.A., Education, Claremont Graduate University B.A., English, Brigham Young University Jamie Littlefield is a writer, instructional designer, and teacher of high school and college distance education courses. Her work has appeared in Huffington Post, Psychology Today, and more. Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on July 31, 2019 By carefully choosing an online high school program and completing the necessary coursework, students are commonly accepted by the college of their choice. Recognizing what matters to university officials can help you plan for the future and ease your concerns. Here’s what you need to know. Accreditation agrobacter / Getty Images If you want to be accepted by a top-notch college, your best bet is to choose an online high school that is properly accredited. Make sure the school’s accreditor is recognized by the United States Department of Education. Regional accreditation is the most widely accepted form of accreditation. Coursework Most universities select applicants that have completed a college preparatory curriculum. Avoid online high schools aimed at giving students vocational training and opt instead for programs that provide college guidance. Some online high schools use a college-prep curriculum exclusively. Others allow students to choose between general and college-oriented programs. Grades, Recommendations, and Activities University applications generally ask students to turn in transcripts, recommendation letters, essays, and extracurricular activity lists. Even though you’re away from a traditional campus, it’s important to stay on top of these requirements. Keep in touch with your favorite teachers and mentors so that you can ask for a recommendation when the time comes. If your online high school is lacking in extracurricular opportunities, get involved with community volunteerism, clubs, and other projects. Standardized Test Scores Universities commonly require acceptable scores from the SAT or ACT exam. Even if your online high school doesn’t offer guidance in this area, it’s important to prepare. Consider checking out a preparation guide from your local library or hiring a tutor. The SAT or ACT should be taken in your junior year. Reputation For most universities, the above requirements will do. But, if you want to get into an Ivy League program or another top-notch school, you may need an additional boost to your application. Consider choosing an advanced online high school such as the Stanford Education Program for Gifted Youth. You’ll also want to increase your extracurricular activities, find ways to demonstrate leadership and develop a unique talent or project. Speaking with a college guidance counselor can help you solidify a plan. Cite this Article Format mla apa chicago Your Citation Littlefield, Jamie. "Can Online High School Graduates Go to College?" ThoughtCo, Apr. 5, 2023, thoughtco.com/can-online-graduates-go-to-college-1098461. Littlefield, Jamie. (2023, April 5). Can Online High School Graduates Go to College? Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/can-online-graduates-go-to-college-1098461 Littlefield, Jamie. "Can Online High School Graduates Go to College?" ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/can-online-graduates-go-to-college-1098461 (accessed April 25, 2024). copy citation