A counselor recommendation is a letter providing colleges with an overall perspective on a student's academic journey, character, and growth. For homeschoolers, the parent typically serves as the counselor and writes this letter.
What is a Counselor Recommendation?
A counselor recommendation is a letter of recommendation that gives college admissions officers a comprehensive view of a student's academic performance, personal character, and growth throughout high school. Unlike teacher recommendations that focus on classroom performance in specific subjects, the counselor letter offers a broader perspective on the student's journey, strengths, and readiness for college. Most colleges using the Common App require a counselor recommendation as part of the application. For homeschooled students, the parent typically writes this letter in their role as the student's primary educator and guidance counselor.
Key Takeaways
- Parents of homeschoolers serve as the school counselor and write this letter themselves
- The letter should provide context about the student's educational journey that grades alone can't convey
- Common App requires homeschool parents to create a separate counselor account to submit materials
- Strong counselor letters focus on growth, character, and unique opportunities—not just academics
What Colleges Expect from Homeschool Counselor Letters
Colleges understand that homeschool counselor letters come from parents. Admissions officers don't penalize this—in fact, they often appreciate the unique insights parents can provide. Your letter should explain why you chose homeschooling, describe how your student took advantage of the flexibility it offered, and provide context for anything unusual on the transcript. Did your student struggle with reading in early grades and then become a voracious reader? Did they pursue a passion project that wouldn't fit in a traditional school schedule? These stories belong in your counselor letter.
Writing Your Letter: Key Principles
The best counselor letters balance objectivity with personal insight. You're not writing as a proud parent gushing about your child—you're writing as an educator evaluating a student. Keep the letter to one to two pages. Choose three key traits to highlight: one academic, one social or extracurricular, and one personal character quality. Use specific anecdotes rather than generic praise. Address your dual role directly ("As both Sarah's parent and primary educator...") rather than pretending it doesn't exist. Conclude with a clear statement about why your student will contribute to the college community.
Common App Setup for Homeschool Counselors
The Common App treats homeschool parents as school counselors with specific setup requirements. Your student selects "Homeschooled" as their school type and invites you as their counselor. You'll create a separate counselor account (distinct from any parent account you may have). Through this account, you'll submit the School Report, counselor recommendation letter, transcript, course descriptions, and school profile. Some colleges also require Mid-Year and Final Reports. The Common App includes a special Homeschool Section with questions designed to help your student's unique education stand out.
Documents You'll Submit as Counselor
Documents You'll Submit as Counselor
- School Report
Required by all Common App colleges
- Counselor Recommendation Letter
Required by most colleges
- Transcript
Academic record with courses, grades, and credits
- Course Descriptions
Detailed explanations of coursework, especially for unique courses
- School Profile
Overview of your homeschool program and educational philosophy
- Mid-Year Report
Required by some colleges; submitted during senior year
- Final Report
Confirms graduation; submitted after school year ends
The Bottom Line
Writing your own child's counselor recommendation feels awkward at first, but colleges genuinely value what parents can contribute. You've watched your student grow for eighteen years—you have insights no school counselor managing 400 students could provide. Focus on specific stories that reveal character, explain the context of your homeschool program, and write as an educator rather than a parent. The strongest letters help admissions officers understand not just what your student accomplished, but who they've become.
