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Everything You Need To Know About Getting Transcripts for Colleges

A high school transcript is like an official and thorough report card. It’s a record of your academic performance and accomplishments throughout high school, making it one of the most important factors in college admissions decisions, if not the most important.

What information is included in my high school transcript?

Transcripts include tons of information, such as:

• The name of each class you took, from freshman year to the present
• The grade you received in each class
• When you took each class
• Your GPA ( weighted and unweighted )
• Your class rank (if your school does class rankings )
• In some cases, your attendance record and any serious disciplinary actions (e.g. suspensions)
• Sometimes, your standardized test scores and honors/awards

The transcript demonstrates your strength of schedule, improvement over time (if applicable), and overall performance in high school. Colleges view the transcript as a solid way to predict how you’ll perform in college.

It’s your job to earn the best grades possible, but it’s not your job to send your transcripts to schools. However, you do need to understand the basics of getting transcripts for colleges so that this vital step in the application process goes smoothly.

Who sends my transcripts?

Your high school guidance counselor will be responsible for sending your transcripts to colleges. You can’t personally provide the transcript because it must be an “official transcript” received directly from your high school.

If a college does accept unofficial transcripts, you can request one from your guidance counselor and send it yourself. However, most schools will specifically request an official copy of your transcript. These are verified transcripts that may have a stamp, seal, or letterhead from your school.

In some cases, your guidance counselor will also need to send a mid-year report and/or final report of your grades. This is so colleges can ensure that you’ve kept your grades up and didn’t stop taking school seriously after receiving your acceptance letter. (So no matter what, be sure to finish senior year strong!)

How are transcripts sent?

Different high schools have different procedures for sending transcripts to schools. It’s likely that your guidance counselor(s) will host a presentation explaining this process sometime during your junior year, often through English classes or a grade-level assembly.

If not, or if you miss the presentation, visit your guidance counselor and ask about the procedure for requesting transcripts. You may need to fill out a request form on paper or online, and some schools require a small fee per transcript. Some high schools will have you request the transcript via a third-party site, which will carry a fee.

Whatever the procedure is, follow all instructions precisely. Provide your guidance counselor with a complete list of the colleges you’re applying to, and do this well in advance of the deadlines.

You should also pay attention to each college’s instructions for sending transcripts. You may simply need to have your guidance counselor attach it to your School Report in the Common Application or Coalition Application, or it may need to be sent individually via snail mail, email, or another type of form. If you’re confused, your counselor can help.

Some colleges do not require a transcript at the time of admission. They’ll allow you to unofficially report your grades, then request an official transcript if you’re accepted.

If this is the case, be sure to tell the truth when self-reporting. If you’re caught in a lie, your application will be rescinded. This is basically the school telling you, “Never mind. You’re not accepted after all,” and it’s not fun.

What’s my role in getting transcripts to colleges?

Your role is to ensure that your guidance counselor has all the information he or she needs to get your transcripts to colleges in a timely fashion.

If you’re not absolutely certain that your counselor has already sent your transcripts, follow up two weeks before the deadline. Remember, guidance counselors are busy, and many are working with hundreds of students. It’s your job to make sure that your transcripts don’t fall through the cracks.

You’ll also need to verify that colleges have actually received your transcript. In most cases, you will be able to do so through the applicant portal on the school’s website. If there is an issue, talk to your guidance counselor and/or call the school’s admission office.

How will colleges evaluate my transcript?

Colleges evaluate your transcript in context. This means they do much more than simply glance at your GPA. They’ll consider the difficulty level of your school and the courses available to you. For instance, a 3.7 GPA at your school could be a greater accomplishment than a 4.0 at a less challenging school.

Admissions teams also look at the difficulty level of the classes you took. Did you choose to challenge yourself with some of the most difficult courses available at your school? If you received straight “A’s” while taking several AP and honors courses, this is a much more significant accomplishment than receiving straight “A’s” in only entry-level courses.

And, of course, they will review your performance in each class. Have you consistently earned solid grades in your classes? If you struggled early in your high school career, did you recover and finish strong?

Through a combination of these factors, colleges will try to predict how well you’ll perform in rigorous college courses.

Overall, you should aim to perform well in the most challenging courses available at your school. Your transcripts will show colleges that you’re capable of successfully navigating college-level work.

Final Thoughts: Everything You Need To Know About Getting Transcripts for Colleges

• High school transcripts provide colleges with extremely valuable information about your academic performance throughout high school. It’s essential that this part of your application(s) is handled in an effective and timely manner.
• Your guidance counselor will mostly handle sending college transcripts, but you need to stay on top of the process to ensure all of your colleges receive your transcripts by the deadline .
• Prepare a list of the colleges you’re applying to, along with their deadlines, and provide it to your counselor. Check with your guidance counselor about the process for requesting transcripts, and follow all directions exactly.
• Follow up with your guidance counselor two weeks before the deadline to ensure your transcripts have been sent. Then, continue checking the college’s application portal and/or your Common Application until you see confirmation that your transcripts have been received.

If it’s not quite time for you to send transcripts yet, make sure yours are up to scratch. Take challenging courses, study hard, complete assignments on time, and earn the highest grades possible.

This way, you’ll be sure to submit impressive transcripts that give you a major advantage during the college admissions process.

Author: Jason Patel

Jason Patel is the founder of Transizion, a college counseling and career services company that provides mentorship and consulting on college applications, college essays, resumes, cover letters, interviews, and finding jobs and internships. Jason’s work has been cited in The Washington Post, BBC, NBC News, Forbes, Fast Company, Bustle, Inc., Fox Business, and other great outlets. Transizion donates a portion of profits to underserved students and veterans in of college prep and career development assistance.

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Apply to college

Whether you're applying to college for the first time or transferring to complete your degree, here’s how to get started on your college application.

What is Common App?

Each year, more than 1 million students apply to more than 1,000 Common App member colleges worldwide through our online college application platform.

Follow the steps below to get started, or visit our first-year and transfer application guides for more information.

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Create your profile.

Your Common App profile is your chance to shine. It’s everything you want a college or university to know about you - from your academic coursework to your extracurricular activities.

Add colleges to your list

Now you get to decide what’s most important to you in a college or university. Search through the characteristics and add colleges that align with them.

Gather requirements

Once you’ve decided where you want to apply, make a checklist of everything required. Each college and university is different, so make sure you stay on top of their application requirements.

Submit applications

Be sure to take a moment to celebrate this huge accomplishment! And remember to finish the academic year on a high note, apply for financial aid and prepare for the future.

The application guides

Now that you know what to expect from the process, you’re ready to apply. We’ve created two simple guides, one for first-year and one for transfer applicants.

For first-time students

Use this guide if you’re in high school and intend to apply as a first-time full-time freshman. It will walk you through the application from start to finish.

For transfer students

If you’re looking to transfer to a four-year institution or intend to restart your college journey, this is the place to get started.

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The Common App essay prompts provide an amazing opportunity for you to tell colleges and universities about who you are and how you can contribute to your future campus experience.

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Search more than 1,000 member colleges and universities using Common App. See application requirements, access virtual tours, learn about academic programs, testing policies and student experience on campus. Get started today to add colleges to your My Colleges tab in application.

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Take Common App with you where ever you go. Our mobile app helps you track your progress, stay on top of application requirements, and manage deadlines.

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There are so many important factors involved in finding the right college for you. Here are some resources to help you discover the most important qualities in your future college campus.

Whether you're at home or on the go, we're here to support you throughout your journey in applying to college. 

Download Common App for mobile . 

We want to make sure you have the opportunity to provide details about how COVID-19 has impact you personally and academically on your college applications. If you need it, there is a question on the Common App this year and you will only have to complete the question once. The question is located in the Additional Information section of the application, and will allow colleges and universities to better understand your experience. Your school counselor will also have space in the Common App recommender system to talk about how the pandemic affected your school.

Learn how to plan for the question, and if responding to the question is right for you, by visiting our blog .

Wondering how to approach the college essay? Common App's Scott Anderson offers his timely advice on sharing your personal and academic experience. Learn more on our blog .

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Transfer applicants.

• Transcripts and College Report

An official high school transcript (or equivalent, such as a GED), official transcript(s) from every college/university attended, and a college report are required.

Transcripts

• Ask your high school to submit your official high school transcript (including your graduation date). If you attended an international high school and you have leaving exams (such as A-Levels or IB results), you are required to submit these scores. If there are challenges to obtaining your high school transcript, you may send a copy of your high school diploma, a document that indicates you have graduated from high school, or a copy of your leaving exams.
• Request official transcripts from every college/university attended.
• A mid-term grade report is not required for transfer admission.

College Report

In a college report, your academic dean, advisor or other school administrator enters your college GPA and information regarding your academic standing at the institution. This information is essential for the review of your application.

• To locate the Common Application College Report form, go to the Common App Program Materials page and scroll down to "Offline Documents."

How to Submit Required Materials

• High school and college officials may submit application materials online through the application or by email attachment to [email protected] .
• When ordering college transcripts, please use [email protected] as the contact email.
• Give school personnel ample time to complete and send the forms prior to the March 15 application deadline. It is your responsibility to ensure that we receive official copies of all college transcripts.
• Materials submitted by others may take several days to process. If your checklist is not complete by the deadline, please simply check your Stanford portal regularly until we have processed all items.

College Curriculum Recommendations

The primary criterion for admission to Stanford is academic excellence. We seek evidence of your preparation and potential to succeed in your academic record. Your college transcript should reflect that you have taken a rigorous curriculum. There are no required courses for admission to Stanford. If you have attended college for more than one year, we expect that you have begun to focus on a potential major area of study.

If you are applying during your second year of college, or later, your college record will receive more attention than your high school results. If you are applying during your first year of college, your high school transcript will receive increased attention.

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Undergraduate Admission

Application checklist for transfer applicants.

• Transfer Applicants

Application Checklist

• Application fee of $75 or a fee waiver.
• Common Application (Transfer Application).
• Brown’s supplemental essays are submitted through the Common Application.
• Official copy of your high school transcript.
• Official copy of your college transcript(s) and final grades from all previous college coursework. This should include grades from your most recently completed semester or quarter work and a list of your current course enrollments. If you are not currently enrolled in college, please submit an official copy of all college transcripts. The Common Application provides the ability for you to upload your college transcript, which Brown will consider unofficial. You must submit your official transcript by asking your Registrar to submit your transcript directly to our office.
• College Report (Report of Good Standing) Please ask the appropriate college administrator to complete the College Report. The administrator must print it and scan and email the completed document to  [email protected].
• Two instructor evaluations from faculty who have taught you at your current college. Alternatively, we will accept evaluations from TAs who have been your instructors. These letters must be submitted through the Common Application or sent via email to [email protected] or by fax to 401-863-9300. Material sent by email or fax should include the applicant's name, date of birth and college or university. Letters sent by email should be sent as PDF attachments. If there are not two faculty members or TAs from whom you are able to request an evaluation, you may replace one of the required letters with a recommendation from a teacher from your senior year of high school.
• Mid Term Report , also found on the Common Application. If you are currently enrolled in college, you should list your current courses and then ask each of your professors to provide a progress grade. Please upload the completed Mid Term Report through your Brown Applicant Portal. If you are not currently enrolled in college, we will waive the Mid Term Report. 
• Brown is test optional for transfer applicants through the 2023-2024 admission cycle, meaning that test scores are not a required component of the transfer application this year. If you would like to include test scores for review in your application, testing must be completed by September (spring entry application) or February (fall entry application) to ensure receipt of scores. You may use your Brown Applicant Portal to self-report test scores that were not included on your Common Application. More information on our standardized testing policies can be found on our website .
• Financial Aid Applicants must submit the appropriate financial aid documents when they apply. For more information visit the Office of Financial Aid .

We understand that the cost of applying to college can be prohibitive for some applicants and their families. If the application fee constitutes a financial hardship, we will accept a fee waiver in lieu of the application fee itself. The College Board provides fee waivers to students who take the SAT, and these fee waivers are accepted by our office. We will also accept a fee waiver in the form of a letter (printed on college letterhead) from a dean, advisor or financial aid officer at your home institution certifying that the application fee constitutes a financial hardship.

Important Notes on Submitting Documents

• Applicants should submit the majority of their application using the  Common Application  website.
• All official documents (high school and college transcripts, the College Report, and Instructor Evaluations) must be submitted to the Office of College Admission by the institutions or parties that created those documents and should be submitted through the Common App. If this is not possible, they may also be submitted by email to [email protected] or by fax to 401-863-9300. In the rare circumstances that none of these alternatives are possible, materials can be mailed to Brown University, Office of College Admission, Box 1876, Providence, RI, 02912. You may submit your official college transcript either by sending a request to your Registrar through the Common Application or asking your Registrar to submit your transcript directly to our office. Please note that we cannot accept official documents that have been sent to our office by applicants themselves with the exception of the Mid Term Report, which you may upload through your Brown Applicant Portal.
• By mid-March or mid-October (depending on which application deadline you have chosen), the Office of Admission will send transfer applicants a username and password that they can use to check the completeness of their application and upload optional supplementary material through the Brown Applicant Portal.
• It is likely that any document received by our office will not be entered into our application database until a week after it has been received. If you have recently submitted a document, please understand that it may take a week or more before it is listed on your application checklist as having been received. In early October or early March we will email you to let you know if any required documents are missing from your application file.

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Forest Grove, Hillsboro & Eugene Campuses Closed

Update: Pacific University’s Forest Grove, Hillsboro and Eugene campuses, and all Pacific healthcare clinics, remain closed all day Friday, Jan. 19. More Details

Simplify Your College Common Application: A Step-by-Step Guide

Apply to college using the Common Application and meet early action deadlines for more financial aid and less worry.

You can still apply for the 2024-2025 school year  through the Common Application !  Explore Pacific's undergraduate admissions requirements  and apply to start your degree this fall at our historic Forest Grove campus.  

The college fairs have come and gone, countless campuses have been thoroughly toured , and you’ve received a seemingly infinite amount of informational pamphlets and fridge magnets.

You’re ready. It’s time to apply to college.

But where to start? While nearly every school has different college application requirements — ranging from fees (applying to Pacific is free!) to essays to test scores — the college application process follows a remarkably stable pattern. 

And with the Common Application (frequently called the “Common App” and accepted by everyone from Harvard to Harvey Mudd) sending your transcripts, letters of recommendation, and application to multiple schools has never been easier. 

Let us be your guide as we walk you through what you need to know when submitting your college application through the Common App. 

VIEW APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

STEP 1: Gather your college application materials all in one place

While you do not need to finish and submit your application in one sitting, having everything you need on hand can make meeting early action and priority deadlines much easier.

Here’s what we recommend you have ready before you start your college application:

Current transcripts. The Common Application will automatically match your transcripts with the schools you have selected after your guidance counselor has uploaded them.

However, it can be helpful to have an unofficial copy of your transcripts handy so that you can highlight classes that match with why you are interested in a specific program.

Letters of Recommendation. Your recommenders will have access to the Common App and will submit their letters through the site.

Reaching out to them early (a month in advance at minimum) will make it easier to meet priority deadlines. 

ACT or SAT test scores and school codes. Standardized test scores are becoming less and less necessary (submitting scores is optional at Pacific) but they can boost your application when you apply to college.

Keep both your scores and the codes (SAT: 4601/ACT:3488) for your schools nearby. 

College essay. Colleges vary on whether or not they require an essay. (Pacific requires only the standard writing examples included with the Common Application.)

But just like having transcripts on hand, pulling material from an essay, even when not required, can highlight certain things that set you apart from other applicants.  

Why should I prioritize the early action deadline?  

Unlike early decision deadlines, Pacific favors the much more student-friendly early action deadline, which allows for a rapid response without committing you to the college that responds first. 

For this reason it is very important to check which type of priority application your school uses.

Submitting your college application through the Common App prior to the early action deadline (November 1 at Pacific) also makes you eligible for a large amount of merit-based scholarships that gradually diminish as the application cycle goes on.

In short, applying early can get you more financial aid, a faster response, and increased flexibility, all at no extra cost.  

STEP 2: Find your schools in the Common Application

Over 1,000 colleges and universities use the Common App in the college application process and finding them is as easy as typing their name into the search bar.

You can also filter schools by location, application requirements, and degree programs. Once you add a school to your list, you can compare everything from essay questions to application deadlines.

Importantly, schools do not have access to this list, and can’t see what other colleges you are applying to. 

Once you have your colleges selected, the Common App automatically creates an easy-to-read table that contains every school on your list and their application requirements. 

STEP 3: Submit your Common Application 

Believe it or not, this is actually the easiest part of the whole process.

Once you have your application materials ready, submitting your college application is as simple as drag and drop. If you have everything prepared you won’t even need to leave the Common App website. 

Applying to college can be expensive, but it would be a shame to not apply to your dream school due to the financial burden of application fees.

However, many universities have application fee waivers based on financial need.

Beyond the application fees, paying for college can be a daunting prospect at this stage of the college application process.

But don’t worry too much too far in advance, many colleges and universities are generous with financial aid , especially to those who apply before the priority deadline.

Pacific offers 20+ unique scholarships to incoming students that reward everything from academics to extracurriculars, or even simply attending a Senior Preview Day event .  

So apply to that college or university without fear! Submitting through the Common App (except in cases of early decision) is nonbinding and can provide a wide number of options to choose from.

Do I need to submit my FAFSA at the same time as the Common Application?

With the recent changes in the FAFSA pushing the application start date to December 1, submitting your college application before you’ve sorted out financial aid can be worrisome. 

But don’t worry, the FAFSA and the Common App DO NOT need to be submitted at the same time in order to qualify for merit-based scholarships through programs like early action. 

That means that you can submit your application before Pacific’s first early action deadline (November 1) and get a decision and scholarship information before the updated FAFSA deadline .

This may mean taking out fewer federal student loans in favor of receiving greater scholarship funding. 

For more information on the FAFSA and its recent changes, visit our FAFSA Myths Debunked blog post .

STEP 4: Get in touch with an admissions counselor 

After you’ve submitted your Common App the wait can feel endless and lonesome.

So, what can you do if you have questions? 

If you want to speak to an expert located on your prospective school’s campus then an admissions counselor is the perfect choice.

Not only can an admissions counselor help answer questions about any potential acceptances, but they can also help facilitate campus visits, put you in touch with faculty, and so much more.

Whether by phone, email, or in person, connecting with your admissions counselor is the best way to make the wait that much easier.

Our rolling application deadline is still open for fall 2024! Browse our application requirements and discover what it is like to be a Boxer .

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Sending Official Transcripts to The Common App for transfer

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Ultimate Guide to Writing Your College Essay

Tips for writing an effective college essay.

College admissions essays are an important part of your college application and gives you the chance to show colleges and universities your character and experiences. This guide will give you tips to write an effective college essay.

Want free help with your college essay?

UPchieve connects you with knowledgeable and friendly college advisors—online, 24/7, and completely free. Get 1:1 help brainstorming topics, outlining your essay, revising a draft, or editing grammar.

Writing a strong college admissions essay

Learn about the elements of a solid admissions essay.

Avoiding common admissions essay mistakes

Learn some of the most common mistakes made on college essays

Brainstorming tips for your college essay

Stuck on what to write your college essay about? Here are some exercises to help you get started.

How formal should the tone of your college essay be?

Learn how formal your college essay should be and get tips on how to bring out your natural voice.

Taking your college essay to the next level

Hear an admissions expert discuss the appropriate level of depth necessary in your college essay.

Student Stories

Student Story: Admissions essay about a formative experience

Get the perspective of a current college student on how he approached the admissions essay.

Student Story: Admissions essay about personal identity

Get the perspective of a current college student on how she approached the admissions essay.

Student Story: Admissions essay about community impact

Student story: admissions essay about a past mistake, how to write a college application essay, tips for writing an effective application essay, sample college essay 1 with feedback, sample college essay 2 with feedback.

This content is licensed by Khan Academy and is available for free at www.khanacademy.org.

April 1, 2024

College Applications Surge By 6% For Fall 2024 Admissions

Data from the Common Application reveals a 6% increase in applicants for fall 2024 admissions compared to the previous year.

In a notable uptick in college application numbers, data from the Common Application reveals a 6% increase in applicants for fall 2024 admissions compared to the previous year, according to Forbes . The surge in applications suggests a continued interest in higher education despite ongoing challenges in the admissions landscape.

The demographic trends among applicants are particularly interesting, especially following the U.S. Supreme Court decision banning race-conscious admissions . Underrepresented minority (URM) applicants, including Black, Latinx, and Indigenous students, showed a notable increase of 10%, outpacing non-URM applicants by five times.

Furthermore, applicants from families residing in below-median-income ZIP codes saw a 10% growth compared to their counterparts from above-median-income areas, indicating broadening access to higher education among economically disadvantaged communities.

As of March 1, 2024, a total of 1,313,763 distinct first-year applicants had submitted applications to 834 institutions through the Common App, marking a significant rise from the prior year. This increase reflects a growing trend in college applications, with the total number of applications reaching 7,541,148, up 7% from the previous admissions cycle.

International applicants also contributed significantly to the overall increase, with a notable 13% surge compared to domestic applicants. This rise was particularly pronounced among Ghana, Afghanistan, Mongolia, and Uzbekistan students.

Students applying to HBCUs can now use the Common Black College App .

First, students must create a student account and fill out the application, providing demographic, academic, and relevant information. Then, they can select their top four HBCU choices.

For 24 participating institutions, the CBCA can upload official transcripts and test scores, while others require direct submission. Essays and recommendation letters must be sent directly to member institutions, not through the CBCA.

After completing the application, students receive a confirmation letter indicating that it has been shared with all 52 member institutions. They are advised to contact the admissions offices of their top choices to check the application status and provide additional information if needed.

While the surge in college applications is a positive indicator for the higher education sector, challenges such as the revamped FAFSA rollout and community college enrollment losses during the pandemic may still impact admissions outcomes. Nevertheless, the increase in applicants signals a continued interest in pursuing higher education opportunities amid evolving admissions landscapes and uncertainties.

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This year it's a slow crawl to financial aid packages for students

Sequoia Carrillo

Prospective college students are one step closer to financial aid packages this week, but the timeline is still months behind.

This "is definitely one of the stranger years that we've had," says Keith Raab, director of financial aid at Oregon State University.

That's because, this year, the U.S. Department of Education gave the federal student aid application, or FAFSA, a long-awaited makeover. The goal of the revamp was to simplify the form, and when it works, it is easier to fill out. Unfortunately, the effort has been marked by delays and bugs that have caused confusion in higher education and in high schools – not to mention the millions of students waiting to learn how much money they'll have for college.

Yet another FAFSA problem: Many noncitizens can't fill it out

Last week marked the deadline set by the Education Department to send colleges the data from the new form. Once colleges get that data, they can start the process on their end to send out aid offers. In a normal year, this step of the process happens in January.

Schools say they are getting some of the FAFSA applications from the department. But far fewer than they expected – or need – to get aid packages out to students.

"The first day," Raab says. "We received eight."

That's eight individual applications, out of the 90,000 or so that Oregon State expects to process this year. By the end of the week, Raab said, they had received closer to 20, but there's a long way to go.

"Getting 10 or 20 lets us start to look at them," he says. "But it doesn't do much for us."

Other schools are in the same boat, by the end of last week the University of Michigan had received 18 applications.

Although, things could be turning a corner: last week the University of California San Diego received 25 applications, but early this week the total grew into a few thousand. The hope is that each week the numbers will ramp up, but it's yet to be seen how fast.

A new FAFSA setback means many college financial aid offers won't come until April

While colleges wait for more data, high school students remain stuck. In past years, they would already have their acceptances, scholarship information, and financial aid offers in hand.

"It's been definitely a tough situation to navigate," says Beatriz Guevara, a high school counselor at Bethesda Chevy Chase High School in Bethesda, Md.

She works primarily with first-generation and low-income students, and says these extra hurdles have really stopped her students in their tracks

"Part of it is just students getting accepted, but also they need the money," Guevara explains. "That is going to make the school a reality for them."

Vanessa Cordova Ramirez, a high school senior in New York City says that, for her, aid is everything at this point. She's already been accepted to her top choices.

"It's really just now deciding, like, what fits best for me," she says. "What can I afford? What's going to benefit me ... in the long run?"

Cordova Ramirez is from a mixed status family – meaning she is a citizen, but her parents don't have legal status in the U.S. For a while, this year's FAFSA didn't work for them . The Education department says it's cleared up the issue, but acknowledges that for some it's still not working

Cordova Ramirez had to go back and file the old-fashioned way: "We're going to pray that everything goes well because we did everything ... through paper," she says. "We're just hoping, either electronically or through the paper, that any of them would work."

And all this confusion affects not only the students coming out of high school: Every college student who gets financial aid has to resubmit the FAFSA every year. And so, OSU's Raab has one final piece of advice: If you're going back to school in the fall, fill the FAFSA out now.

Janet Woojeong Lee contributed reporting for this story.