What Is a High School Transcript
A high school transcript is an official document that provides a comprehensive record of a student's academic performance throughout their high school career. It serves as the primary academic document that colleges, universities, employers, and scholarship committees use to evaluate a student's educational background and achievement. Understanding what a high school transcript looks like and what information it contains is essential for students preparing for college applications, as the transcript is typically the single most important document in the admissions process.
The transcript is maintained by the school's registrar or guidance office and is considered an official document when it bears the school's seal and an authorized signature. Unlike a report card, which shows grades for a single grading period, the transcript provides a cumulative record that encompasses all courses taken, grades earned, credits received, and other academic information spanning the student's entire high school career. Most transcripts cover grades 9 through 12, though some include eighth-grade courses taken for high school credit, such as Algebra I or a foreign language.
Student Information Section
The top section of a high school transcript typically contains the student's personal and identifying information. This includes the student's full legal name, date of birth, student identification number, and the dates of enrollment at the school. The school's name, address, and contact information are also prominently displayed, along with the school's CEEB (College Entrance Examination Board) code, which colleges use to identify the specific high school. Some transcripts also include the student's Social Security number, though many schools have moved away from this practice for privacy reasons.
This section may also include the student's expected or actual graduation date, the type of diploma earned (standard, honors, advanced, IB diploma, etc.), and the student's class rank if the school calculates and reports class rankings. Some schools have eliminated class rank from their transcripts, as the practice can disadvantage students at highly competitive schools where even excellent students may have relatively low percentile rankings. In these cases, the school may instead provide a school profile document that gives colleges context about the school's academic rigor and student body.
Course Listings and Grade Information
The largest and most detailed section of the transcript is the course listing, which is typically organized by academic year and semester. For each course, the transcript lists the course name, the course level or designation (such as Regular, Honors, AP, IB, or Dual Enrollment), the grade earned, the number of credits received, and sometimes the number of credit hours or the quality points earned. Courses are usually listed chronologically, starting with the first semester of ninth grade and continuing through the most recent completed semester.
Grade formats vary between schools but typically use one of several common systems. Letter grades (A, B, C, D, F) are the most common, sometimes with plus and minus modifiers (A+, A, A-, B+, etc.). Some schools use numerical grades on a 100-point scale, while others use a 4.0 scale directly. The transcript will indicate which grading scale the school uses. Many transcripts also show whether a course was passed or failed and whether the student earned the full credit for the course. Incomplete grades, withdrawn courses, and courses taken at other institutions may also appear on the transcript with appropriate notations.
GPA and Academic Summary
One of the most important elements of the transcript is the Grade Point Average (GPA) calculation. Most transcripts display both a cumulative GPA (covering all courses) and sometimes a semester-by-semester GPA that shows the student's academic trajectory over time. The GPA may be presented as an unweighted GPA on a standard 4.0 scale, where an A equals 4.0 regardless of course level, and a weighted GPA, which assigns additional quality points to honors, AP, and IB courses to reflect their greater difficulty.
For example, on a weighted scale, an A in an AP course might be worth 5.0 points instead of 4.0, and an A in an Honors course might be worth 4.5 points. This weighting system rewards students who challenge themselves with more rigorous coursework, even if they earn slightly lower grades than they might in regular-level courses. Colleges are generally aware that GPA calculations vary between schools and will often recalculate GPAs using their own methodology to ensure fair comparisons between applicants from different schools. The transcript section will clearly indicate whether the displayed GPA is weighted or unweighted.
Standardized Test Scores
Many high school transcripts include a section for standardized test scores, though this practice varies by school and region. When included, this section typically lists SAT and ACT scores, including subscores for individual sections. AP exam scores may also appear on the transcript, showing the student's scores on a 1-5 scale for each AP exam taken. Some transcripts also include state-mandated standardized test scores, such as state achievement or proficiency exams that may be required for graduation.
It's worth noting that many colleges have moved to test-optional or test-blind admissions policies, reducing the weight given to standardized test scores in the admissions process. However, strong test scores can still benefit students, and having them included on the transcript provides a convenient, official record. Students who are not satisfied with their test scores or who chose not to take standardized tests should not be concerned about their absence from the transcript, as many schools allow students to request that test scores be excluded from the transcript or to submit them separately.
Attendance and Conduct Records
Some high school transcripts include attendance records, showing the number of days absent and tardy for each academic year. While attendance information is not always included, it can be an important factor for some employers and institutions. Consistent attendance demonstrates reliability and commitment, while excessive absences may raise concerns about a student's ability to handle the demands of college-level coursework or regular employment.
Conduct records, including disciplinary actions such as suspensions or expulsions, may also appear on certain transcripts, though this varies widely by school district. Many educators and advocates have raised concerns about the inclusion of disciplinary records on academic transcripts, arguing that it can disproportionately affect students from marginalized communities and that behavioral records should be separate from academic records. Some states have passed legislation limiting or prohibiting the inclusion of disciplinary information on academic transcripts.
How to Read and Interpret a Transcript
Reading a high school transcript effectively requires understanding the notations, abbreviations, and organizational structure used by the specific school. Most transcripts include a legend or key that explains the grading scale, course level designations, and any special symbols or abbreviations used. Common abbreviations include "CR" for credit, "NC" for no credit, "W" for withdrawn, "I" for incomplete, "P" for pass, and "T" for transfer credit.
When reviewing a transcript, college admissions officers look for several key indicators beyond just the GPA. They examine the rigor of the course load—are the courses taken at the honors, AP, or IB level? They look for trends—is the GPA improving over time, suggesting growing maturity and motivation, or declining, which might raise concerns? They also look at the breadth of coursework—has the student taken courses across multiple disciplines, including core subjects like English, math, science, social studies, and foreign language? These factors collectively tell a story about the student that a single GPA number cannot convey.
Requesting and Sending Your Transcript
Students can request their official transcript from their high school's guidance office or registrar. Many schools now use electronic transcript services such as Parchment, Naviance, or the Common Application's school forms to send transcripts directly to colleges and universities. These electronic systems streamline the process and reduce the risk of transcripts being lost in the mail. Some schools may charge a small fee for transcript requests, particularly for alumni requesting transcripts after graduation.
For current students applying to college, it's important to understand that colleges typically receive two transcripts during the admissions process: a mid-year transcript showing grades through the first semester of senior year, and a final transcript showing the completed senior year grades. Some students also submit transcripts after the junior year as part of early application processes. It's crucial to maintain strong academic performance throughout senior year, as colleges can and do rescind admissions offers if a student's final transcript shows a significant decline in grades from what was presented during the application process.
Common Transcript Issues and Solutions
Students sometimes encounter issues with their transcripts that can complicate the college application process. Transfer students who attended multiple high schools may have credits spread across different institutions, requiring careful coordination to ensure all coursework is properly reflected on the transcript. Students who took courses through online programs, community colleges, or other non-traditional providers should verify that these credits appear correctly on their official high school transcript.
If you discover an error on your transcript, contact your school's guidance office or registrar immediately to request a correction. Common errors include incorrect grades, missing courses, or incorrect course level designations (for example, a course listed as regular when it was actually an honors section). Schools have processes for reviewing and correcting transcript errors, though these corrections may require documentation such as original report cards or teacher confirmation. Catching and correcting errors before sending transcripts to colleges is essential, as discrepancies between your transcript and your application can raise red flags during the admissions review process.
