College transcripts are the closest thing a student has to a permanent record. They detail your academic history, including your grades, the courses you have completed, and whether or not you graduated. They may also list additional information, such as a history of academic probation, honor code violations, or awards for your school performance.
Your transcripts can unlock academic doors. They’re key to
transferring credits from one university to another and are the best way to
verify your prior academic performance. Yet many students struggle to get their
transcripts and don’t know how to ensure that their previous work follows them
from one institution to another. If you’ve found yourself struggling to
navigate this process yourself, here’s everything you need to know about
transcripts before applying to a college degree program.
What’s in a College Transcript?
A college transcript is a detailed record of your previous schoolwork. It includes:
- · A list of all classes you’ve taken. Depending on your school’s policies for dropping classes, it may also list classes you enrolled in but didn’t complete.
- · The scores you received for all classes. Most transcripts include a number and letter grade.
- · A list of dates attended and majors. The transcript will also list the dates during which you took certain classes.
- · Grade point average. The transcript may also list your GPA as of your last semester of enrolment, or itemize a GPA for each semester.
- · Student information. Depending on the information your school gathers, the transcript may also list your full name, date of birth, and student identification number.
- · Other institutions. The transcript may list other schools you attended, as well as transfer credits you received from those schools.
- · Official documentation. An official transcript also contains a seal, signature, or other official documentation indicating the document came from the registrar’s office.
Unofficial transcripts are free, and list the classes you’ve
taken and the grades you’ve received. You usually have to pay a fee for
official transcripts, which come directly from your school’s registrar. Most
schools will not let you enrol without an official transcript.
What are transcripts for?
So, you now know that transcripts are important if you want to go to
university; but, did you know that you may need transcripts at other points in
your child’s life, or even in your own professional life?
Here are some ways transcripts are used for adults:
- · When you want to finish an unfinished degree: Did you know that some academic credits expire and others last for decades? Once I helped a client piece together her undergraduate education spanning 3 decades. She was blocked and fearful of a four-year attempt to earn her degree. Using her transcripts from several universities, we were able to find her a way to graduate within three semesters of academic work.
- · When you want to go to graduate school: Yes, they will want to look at your undergraduate transcripts, even if many years have passed.
- · When you want to complete a professional postgraduate program of study – even if the program is not degree-awarding but rather for a certificate.
- · When you need to demonstrate a specific competency for a job. If you have taken a course in something like “instructional technology,“ “mastering design software”, or “conflict journalism” you may want to match that training to a job description when you apply.
- · When you need a professional permit or license to practice: For professions in medicine and education and others you may have to demonstrate academic experience in certain subject areas.
How to Get a Copy of Your Transcript
You can view an unofficial copy of your transcript by
logging into your student portal or account and printing out your history. This
transcript is free. It can be helpful as you begin the application process,
particularly if the school to which you apply wants a list of recent courses or
needs to know your GPA before it receives your transcript. Your unofficial
transcript may also help you assess whether you meet certain prerequisites for
the classes you hope to take or the program in which you want to enroll.
Most universities won’t accept an unofficial transcript.
There are numerous reasons for this, including that an unofficial transcript
may be incomplete. It’s also possible to forge an unofficial transcript. So at
some point during the application and admission process, you’ll need to supply
an official document. Each school’s rules for this vary slightly. Some only
require an official transcript upon admission, while others want the transcript
to be sent when you apply.
To get an official copy of your transcript, contact your
school’s registrar. In most cases, you don’t even have to call or go in person;
the registrar’s office may have an online form for requesting your transcript.
You can usually pay the transcript fee online too. If the school does not offer
such a form, you may need to download and print the right document, then send a
check.
The process can take several weeks, so plan ahead. If you’re
working under a tight deadline, contact the school to ask about transcript
processing times. In some cases, you may be able to expedite the process by
paying a transcript rush fee.
Do I Need a Transcript to Apply to College?
Students who attended college many years ago or who did not
get good grades the first time may wonder whether they need a transcript. Some
may even prefer to get a fresh start rather than transferring bad grades to a
new school.
The truth is that even if your grades aren’t great, you need
a transcript. Even a single transfer credit can help expedite your graduation.
Perhaps more importantly, most schools require you to submit all relevant
transcripts. It may even be an honor code violation to exclude a
school.
Where to Send Your Transcripts
In most cases, you cannot pick up a copy of your transcript
and take it to your new university. Instead, you’ll need your old school to
directly send transcripts to the new school. This process can take some time,
especially if you’re seeking a transcript from a larger school or your
transcripts are very old. So contact each school as early in the application
process as possible.
Most schools ask you to provide a specific address to which
to send your transcript. Your new school’s registrar can provide this
information. Contact them before completing a transcript request, because
sending a transcript to the wrong office can delay the process or incur
additional expenses.
A Simple Checklist for Getting Your College Transcripts
Applying for college can be stressful and time-consuming,
especially if you previously attended several schools. You don’t have to become
a transcript expert to navigate the process. Just follow this simple to-do
list:
- Check
with the admissions office of your chosen school for details about their
transcript policy.
- Make
a list of each school you have previously attended, no matter how long ago
or how briefly.
- Complete a
transcript request form with each school. You can usually fill
out the form online, and you may have to pay a small fee.
- If
the school from which you need a transcript is closed, contact the
organization that oversees higher education. They can tell you how to get
a transcript.
- Follow
up with the school to which you are applying to ensure they receive each
transcript.
- After
they have received your transcripts, meet with an academic advisor to
discuss which classes will transfer. In some cases, you may have to fill
out a form to request that your classes transfer or to appeal a denial of
transfer credit.
Final Thoughts
Wherever you or your children are attending school, it’s
always a good idea to ask who is in charge of transcripts, or official academic
records. You never know when you might need some!