College Admission Requirements for Online High School Students

September 17, 2024 byTrey Edgington

5 min to read

Adult female in a blue striped shirt wearing headphones smiling at a computer - Connections Academy

This article was originally published July 2022 and has been updated September 2024.

Junior year is often when college-bound high school students and their families start thinking about college admission applications, but many may still wonder how to get ready for college as an online school student. The good news is that the college application process for students enrolled in public online high schools like Connections Academy is the same as students who attend brick-and-mortar public schools. So whether your student is enrolled in online school full-time, part-time or a blend of in-person and online, use this guide to learn more about taking the next step in their education.

What do Colleges Commonly Look for from Applicants?

Colleges and universities are looking for students who will succeed at their institutions. To do this, admissions officers evaluate a student’s grades and standardized test scores, review well-written essays, evaluate academic rigor, and weigh extracurricular activities.

Beyond participation in extracurricular activities, many admissions committees want to see students who have held leadership roles in the organizations they’re a part of and a commitment to a specific cause. One often overlooked factor in college admissions is the student’s enthusiasm for the school itself. Students can show enthusiasm by connecting with the school on social media, signing up for newsletters, and even reaching out to local admissions counselors to learn more about their programs.

Do Colleges Look at Middle School Grades?

As some parents start to worry that colleges are being more selective, they may wonder if admissions committees take middle school grades into account. The answer is no, colleges typically do not look at middle school grades. The only exception is if the student takes high school level classes while still technically a middle school student. Outside of those circumstances, admissions officers understand that a lot of changes take place between middle school and high school. Students mature, their work ethics change, and they’re still learning good habits like time management.

Though colleges don’t look at middle school grades, it is still an important time, scholastically. The academic strategies learned in middle school can set them up for success far into the future.

5 Documents You’ll Need When You Apply to College

Each college’s admission requirements will vary some, but for most college admission applications, you should be prepared to compile and provide:

Completed college application
Academic transcripts 
ACT or SAT scores 
Recommendation letters 
Personal statement or essays 
Financial information

The second semester of junior year is a good time to reach out to one or two favorite or inspiring teachers to ask for a letter of recommendation. It is often best to contact a teacher who has worked closely with your student and has seen them develop through the year. It also may be a good idea to ask a teacher who taught the subject most relevant to your student’s academic goals.

If a college requires a personal statement or another form of essay to complete the application, this is a student’s chance to showcase their personality, writing skills, and what they are passionate about 

Do You Need to Take the SAT or ACT to Apply to College?

Traditionally, a high school student’s scores on the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test), the ACT (American College Test) or, more recently, the CLT (Classic Learning Test) were second only to their transcript in importance for college admission. But when the COVID-19 pandemic struck in 2020, many institutions made test scores optional due to the difficulties of social distancing at testing centers. Even before the pandemic, educators, parents, and others were disputing the validity of standardized tests for a number of reasons, such as a bias against minority students and challenges faced by anxious test-takers, gifted students, or those with special needs.

While many colleges and universities have stayed with the test-optional or test-blind policies, other schools—including MIT, Brown, and Dartmouth—are moving back to the traditional model of taking standardized test scores into account on college applications.  

These factors have led many schools to put less weight on test scores or to not require them at all. For example, the University of North Carolina System, which comprises of 16 member universities, says “homeschool or non-traditional high school graduate applications without standardized test scores will be reviewed holistically.”  

In other words, they recognize that the whole of a student’s academic potential is more than their scores on a standardized test. 

Are There Alternatives to Standardized Test Scores for College Applications?

While each school may have their own requirements for applicants, there are several alternative ways students can showcase their academic ability in place of standardized test scores, including:

A portfolio with coursework samples  
Advanced Placement® (AP®)* course grades
Grades from community college coursework or Coursera Certifications 
Explanations of extracurricular activities.
Annotated booklists 
Examples of artistic talent, such as a musical score, short film, or dance videos 
An academic paper or research abstract. 
Resume of summer or part-time employment and volunteer activities.

Check the application procedures and policies of your target school to make sure what’s acceptable before gathering your support materials. The Princeton Review says, “Colleges that accept supplements will list guidelines, such as how many art pieces to include in a portfolio, acceptable file formats, and how to submit. There might even be a small submission fee.” 

How Connections Academy Can Help with College Admissions

Connections Academy offers a variety of college planning assistance to help enrolled college-bound high schoolers transition from online virtual school to the college campuses of their choice, including:  

Guidance from our school counselors to help find college opportunities 
LiveLesson® online workshops about how to apply for college, including information about specific colleges and universities 
LiveLesson online workshops about college tuition, financial aid, and scholarships  
Free access to college admission test preparation courses online and information about test dates, locations, etc

We offer in-depth support to ensure that our online school graduates are well-prepared to excel in the next step of their academic journey and life beyond high school.  

*AP® and Advanced Placement® are registered trademarks of the College Board. Used with permission. 