Online high school is still a relatively new way to earn your diploma, and many students are choosing this pathway because of its flexibility and convenience. However, for those who plan to go to college after graduation, they may wonder if going to school online has any impact on their ability to get into a good college. 

Do Colleges Accept Online High School Diplomas?

The short answer to this question is yes. Colleges do accept students who earned their high school diploma online. 

The long answer is that there are some things you need to consider before choosing an online high school, including accreditation, coursework, and—to a lesser degree—reputation.

Accreditation

Accreditation is the most important thing to consider when choosing an online high school. Simply put, accreditation means the school went through a review process by an accrediting organization that judges every aspect of the education. By meeting the standards established by a third-party organization, a high school earns its accreditation. 

If you attend a non-accredited high school, this could limit the colleges (and employers!) that will accept your diploma. Learn more about the importance of accreditation in our other blog post.

Coursework

Online high schools often offer a variety of courses, including college prep courses and classes geared toward students who want to jump straight into the workforce after graduation. When selecting an online high school and your course load, consider your goals and choose a school and classes that align with them.

Reputation

A school earning its accreditation generally means it has a good reputation. However, if you want to apply to a competitive school, like an Ivy League university, you may want to consider applying to online high schools with stellar reputations. See if there are any online high schools that specialize in whatever you are planning to major in, such as STEM or arts. Having a diploma from an institution with a specialized reputation could help you stand out from other applicants. 

Colleges don’t look down on online high schools or homeschooled students. With more and more high schoolers opting for these alternative learning environments, colleges are used to reviewing applications from students who earned their diploma online. As long as you choose an accredited school that offers college prep courses, you shouldn’t have an issue getting into a good college or university.

Preparing for College as an Online High School Student

Getting ready for college when you are an online high school student is similar to preparing for college when you attend an in-person school, but you may need to do a little extra legwork to ensure your application is well rounded and competitive. Here are a few tips for creating a stellar college application. 

Seek Out Extracurricular Activities

In-person schools have the benefit of offering lots of extracurricular activities like sports, arts, and clubs. These are all things you can add to your college application to make yourself a more appealing candidate for admission. 

As an online student, you’ll have to work a little harder to find opportunities to bolster your application. Look into after-school activities in your area and check with local community centers or arts centers to see if they offer any courses or programs that spark your interest. Homeschooled students are often eligible to participate in extracurricular activities through their local school districts as well, so reach out to your district to see if this is an option for you. 

While you may need to do a bit more research to find extracurricular activities, you’ll likely have more flexibility with your school schedule, so you can participate in lots of things that you enjoy.

Volunteer in Your Community

Volunteering is a great way to boost your application, but it’s also an opportunity to give back to your community and explore your interests. There are so many opportunities out there for volunteering, and you may even be able to get some work experience. 

If you’re interested in working in the healthcare field, you could volunteer at a local nursing home. Think you’d like to work with your hands? Consider volunteering with an organization like Habitat for Humanity. 

You could sign up for a recurring role where you volunteer every week or every month, or you could participate in single-day events. The possibilities are endless.

Prepare for the ACT/SAT

Test scores are another thing admissions officers look at when considering college applications. Many schools now offer test prep courses, which may be something you can take as an online student, but you might be on your own for the majority of your exam preparation. 

There are a variety of free resources available online, so start there. You can also check with your local library to see if there are any free test prep courses available in your area. The library should also have some test prep books that you can check out.

Strengthen Your Writing Skills

Writing skills are one of the most important things you can develop prior to college. Many colleges still require an admissions essay, so working on becoming the best writer you can be while you’re still in high school will make writing those essays a lot easier. 

Depending on your online high school, you may be able to take some classes specifically on writing. Regardless, you’ll have to write for class, so make sure you are putting your best effort into each assignment. Don’t cut corners or use AI to assist you — it may make it easier to turn in assignments on time, but it is academic dishonesty and is only hurting yourself.

Again, your local library or even your town’s parks and recreation department could have some classes or workshops to help you strengthen your writing skills for little to no cost. 

Online High School at The American Academy

The American Academy is an accredited private online high school for students ages 13 and older. We have students from all over the country enrolling in our diploma program as well as our individual courses to help them achieve their educational goals. 

We offer 100+ teacher-led online courses that can be completed anytime and anywhere. 

High School Diploma

Our high school diploma program allows students to earn an accredited diploma 100% online. Whether you’re a first-time high school student and need to start from scratch or have some credits under your belt, you’re welcome at The American Academy.

Every student receives personalized support from an Academic Coach and has 24/7 access to virtual tutors so they can get homework help any time of day or night.

Individual Courses

Students enroll in our individual courses for a variety of reasons. If you’re looking to make up credits or take a class that your regular high school doesn’t offer, our individual courses could be a good option for you. Check with your high school guidance counselor prior to enrolling to ensure credits will transfer to your school. 

In summary, you should not have any issues getting into a good college if you enroll in an accredited online high school and make sure to take courses that will prepare you for college. Use your time in high school to prepare for the next level of academics so you not only get into the college of your choice but also thrive once there!