The Happy Homeschooler Podcast

We live in a world where there are so many options to save us time and make us more efficient. However, it’s also easy to stick with habits we know well- one of those may be creating your transcripts manually using spreadsheets or (gasp!) a typewriter!! Even though change can be hard, when you’re noticing errors, lack of consistency, or you’re frustrated, it might be time to upgrade from manual transcripts.
7 Ways you know you need to step away from the spreadsheet
Check out the episode to learn more about each of these signs that you need to put the spreadsheets away and try out a transcript app like Transcript Maker:
Mistakes are happening too frequently: Typos, spelling errors, or missing information are all signs that the manual process may not be working for you.
You’re struggling with GPA math: This type of math is no joke; it’s hard, and it needs to be correct. Math mistakes are easily made when you’re using spreadsheets, and dealing with weighted and non-weighted GPAs manually can be tedious.
You’re losing your work: If you don’t have a system that backs up, you run the risk of losing your work. You waste time (and money) trying to get all of it back.
There are inconsistencies: The transcripts that you create for your school should be consistent from the information on them to the overall look; this is hard to accomplish manually.
Changing something renders old transcripts obsolete: Your manual system doesn’t allow you to change information in one place (like a class title) and have it apply to other transcripts.
You’re wasting time: It’s time consuming to produce a transcript when you’re entering information piece by piece and transcript by transcript. Your time is probably better spent somewhere else.
Printing problems: Once you’ve created your manual transcript, you still need to print it and have it look the way you want; sometimes that’s easier said than done.
Feeling ready to upgrade?
Though it can be overwhelming to make changes, Transcript Maker aims to make the transition easy for you. During your free 14-day trial, we’ll get you onboarded and set up to try us out; since we’re focused on transcripts, you don’t have to worry about making lots of changes at once. And don’t forget, we’re here to answer questions along the way.
Resources Mentioned:Sign up for a free trial of Transcript MakerJoin our newsletter for blog posts, tips, and more

Getting into college is tough these days- there are so many students seeking admission. It’s important for students to do the best job they can to show that they are a good fit for the colleges they apply to. Parents and school administrators can support this process in a number of ways. In today’s episode, we share our best tips for helping your students get into college.
Our Top Tips
Application tips
The application is a critical part of what a student sends to each college they apply to. It’s not just about highlighting your test scores and grades (though those are important too). The application, and more specifically, the personal essay is an opportunity to show who you are, that you appreciate different perspectives, that you can think critically, and that you’re a team player. That’s a lot, but it’s worth it to take the time to create a great personal essay that stays true to who the applicant is.
When colleges have a huge list of applicants, you want to highlight how you stand out as an individual with varied interests. Schools can help students become more aware of what to put on the application to help show the applicant in the best light. And, in order to be seen positively, a social media check (and clean-up) is a must for college applicants. An additional step to standing out with your application is to have strong letters of recommendation; be sure to plan ahead (and talk to your students well ahead of time) about not only their letters, but all pieces of the application, as each school will have its own deadline, and you don’t want to miss one!
Cover letter tips
We don’t know when cover letters became the norm for college applications, but even if one isn’t requested, we encourage you to include it! That’s because it’s another opportunity to show who you are and help you stand out from the crowd. Be sure to customize each cover letter (don’t just cut and paste!), discussing why you’re interested in the particular school, and be sure that your application, essay, and cover letter are free from errors.
And, if you’re an educational institution, or a homeschooler, be sure to think about sending professional looking transcripts along with your application and cover letter so that you can be a triple threat.
Resources Mentioned:Not sure about what we mean by a professional transcript? Check out this episode of Beyond TranscriptsSign up for a free trial of Transcript MakerJoin our newsletter for blog posts, tips, and more

Orion High School is a digital school whose mission is empowering learning, renewing hope. Our guest, Dr. Gallegos, founded the school over a decade ago and shares with us what he’s learned and what makes his school unique. It was important to him and the other founders to find a way of teaching that better met the needs of the students. The school they created hires experts in their field to mentor students, as opposed to being teachers. At Orion, there is no way a student can pass a course without interacting regularly with their mentor, there are no multiple-choice tests, students are given tasks and not homework, and expectations are clearly set early and often for students at the school. Trailblazers, right?
Make sure your school is accredited
Not only is Orion High School nationally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, internationally by AdvancED, and by the Texas Private School Accreditation Commission, but these accreditations are part of what gives Orion High School its strength. When digital schools are appropriately accredited, this makes it much easier for students to secure financial aid when they enter college. Students and families find this very important!
Orion helped create digital standards of education
Because Orion High School was one of the first digital schools to go through the accreditation process, the reviewers didn’t quite know what to expect! The typical onsite standards didn’t work for a school of this nature, so Dr. Gallegos worked with AdvanceED to create the standards that are appropriate for digital schools.
Trends in digital learning
There has been a shift away from the traditional learning environment over the years; this is positive because it gives students and families more choice and flexibility, and provides better learning opportunities. At Orion, students can be fully enrolled, taking all of their classes through the school, or they can take classes as needed.
Since there are an increasing number of students seeking digital courses, administrators at the school are strongly encouraged to consider accreditation so that they can best serve their students, but also so that their school is appealing to those beyond their backyard. Orion has students from across the nation and outside of the U.S., and they have also worked with their home state of Texas to ensure smooth transfer of records between the schools. Dr. Gallegos began working with Transcript Maker not long after founding the school and has been able to create transcripts that lend credibility to his school while functioning in the way he needs.
We are so glad that Dr. Gallegos joined us on Beyond Transcripts to share his insights, experiences, and tips about digital education.
Resources Mentioned:Learn more about Orion High SchoolSign up for a free trial of Transcript MakerJoin our newsletter for blog posts, tips, and more