Will Harvard accept a Penn Foster high school diploma?
I'm currently enrolled in Penn Foster for my high school diploma since my local school situation wasn't working out for me. I've been working really hard and my GPA is strong, but I'm getting nervous as I start researching colleges. Especially places like Harvard.
I see mixed things online about whether they actually accept Penn Foster diplomas, since it's an online, national accreditation and not a traditional public or private school. Has anyone actually gotten into Harvard (or even applied) with a Penn Foster graduation? If so, did you run into trouble with the admissions process or have to provide extra info?
I just want to make sure I'm not investing all this time only to find out it won't be considered valid by top-tier schools. Any advice would be really appreciated!
I see mixed things online about whether they actually accept Penn Foster diplomas, since it's an online, national accreditation and not a traditional public or private school. Has anyone actually gotten into Harvard (or even applied) with a Penn Foster graduation? If so, did you run into trouble with the admissions process or have to provide extra info?
I just want to make sure I'm not investing all this time only to find out it won't be considered valid by top-tier schools. Any advice would be really appreciated!
3 weeks ago
•
47 views
Luis Nario-Malberg
• 3 weeks ago
Advisor
It's smart to research this early. Harvard, and other highly selective colleges, typically require applicants to have completed a rigorous college-preparatory high school curriculum at a school with recognized accreditation. Penn Foster is nationally accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), but not regionally accredited like most public and private schools.
This difference matters because many selective colleges, including Harvard, generally give greater weight to regionally accredited diplomas and may scrutinize online or nontraditional programs more closely. If you graduate from Penn Foster, your diploma is technically valid, but Harvard may not automatically accept it in lieu of a traditional high school diploma. In practice, applicants from programs like Penn Foster are sometimes required to provide additional documentation, such as
– detailed transcripts listing courses taken, grades, and descriptions of academic rigor,
– results from standardized tests (SAT, ACT, AP exams, etc.) as further evidence of academic preparation,
– or even GED scores in some cases, to demonstrate readiness and supplement the diploma.
There are very few publicly documented cases of students attending Harvard with only a Penn Foster diploma, and typically those students bring exceptional achievements or alternative proof of academic excellence, like top exam scores or unique talent. As an example, a student who completed Penn Foster and then excelled in national competitions or earned high scores on many AP exams could present a stronger case.
If you're aiming for Harvard or similar institutions, consider enhancing your application with dual enrollment classes at a local college, community college coursework, or Advanced Placement/IB courses if accessible. These steps will help show that you pursued a challenging curriculum and are well prepared for college-level work, regardless of your high school's structure.
It's also a good idea to contact Harvard's admissions office directly and ask about their policy on Penn Foster diplomas with your specific situation. They can tell you if you'll need additional documentation or if there are special considerations for your application. This way, you won't be caught off guard late in the process, and you'll be able to plan your academic path with more confidence.
This difference matters because many selective colleges, including Harvard, generally give greater weight to regionally accredited diplomas and may scrutinize online or nontraditional programs more closely. If you graduate from Penn Foster, your diploma is technically valid, but Harvard may not automatically accept it in lieu of a traditional high school diploma. In practice, applicants from programs like Penn Foster are sometimes required to provide additional documentation, such as
– detailed transcripts listing courses taken, grades, and descriptions of academic rigor,
– results from standardized tests (SAT, ACT, AP exams, etc.) as further evidence of academic preparation,
– or even GED scores in some cases, to demonstrate readiness and supplement the diploma.
There are very few publicly documented cases of students attending Harvard with only a Penn Foster diploma, and typically those students bring exceptional achievements or alternative proof of academic excellence, like top exam scores or unique talent. As an example, a student who completed Penn Foster and then excelled in national competitions or earned high scores on many AP exams could present a stronger case.
If you're aiming for Harvard or similar institutions, consider enhancing your application with dual enrollment classes at a local college, community college coursework, or Advanced Placement/IB courses if accessible. These steps will help show that you pursued a challenging curriculum and are well prepared for college-level work, regardless of your high school's structure.
It's also a good idea to contact Harvard's admissions office directly and ask about their policy on Penn Foster diplomas with your specific situation. They can tell you if you'll need additional documentation or if there are special considerations for your application. This way, you won't be caught off guard late in the process, and you'll be able to plan your academic path with more confidence.
Luis Nario-Malberg
Mooresville, North Carolina
Harvard College, Class of 2018, A.B. in Philosophy
Experience
5 years