What is a high school transcript?

Your high school transcripts are a record of your achievements, grades, classes, behavior, and more. Required for college applications and admissions, they show higher education institutions the type of student you are, your interests, and your academic rigor. Below, we’ve outlined everything you need to know about high school transcripts, what they include, and when you need them.

What is a high school transcript?

A high school transcript is a record of a student’s achievements over their entire high school experience. It lists grades, information about the school, student details, a list of courses, honors, and more. Colleges use high school transcripts for admission decisions and select employers may request them.

Official vs. unofficial

Unofficial high school transcripts are documents you can download and print at home for your own reference.

Official transcripts are sent directly from the high school to the recipient, usually a college, university, or other institution. They’ll be sent in a sealed envelope or directly online through a secure channel to prevent tampering, such as GPA changes.

Should you receive sealed transcripts to deliver elsewhere, never open it – it becomes “unofficial” once you do. High schools typically charge $5 to $10 for each official transcript, but some offer the first few for free. You might also qualify for a fee waiver.

What does a high school transcript include?

High school transcript formats can vary depending on the school, but generally they include:

• Student information: Your transcript will list your name, address, and date of birth.
• School details: It should also have your school’s name, address, phone number, and other contact information.
• List of courses: The bulk of a transcript contains your classes, when you took them, and how many credits they’re worth. It should also detail the type of class, such as AP or Honors.
• Grades and GPA: Your course grades will be listed next to the class names. You’ll also be able to see your cumulative grade point average (GPA) as well as weighted GPA, if your school weighs your classes for academic rigor.
• Behavior: High schools typically include details about your absences and any major disciplinary actions.
• Honors: Many institutions also use transcripts to highlight honors, awards, SAT/ACT scores, and other accomplishments during the student’s high school experience.

What do you need a transcript for?

You generally need your high school transcripts for college.

Colleges want to see how well you did in high school, your academic rigor, and interests. Higher grades and more academic rigor generally increase your chances of an acceptance letter, especially at selective schools. You’ll also need your transcripts if you’ve taken AP or dual-credit courses in high school – the college will use the information to help determine which classes you’ve already received credit for so you don’t have to repeat them.

When you apply to college, you’ll likely be able to self-report your grades. Don’t exaggerate. Once you’re accepted, the school needs to see your official transcripts. If they discovered you lied or your grades dropped significantly, they could rescind the offer.

Some employers ask for unofficial transcripts, but rarely. They usually want to see a diploma or GED instead.

How do you request your high school transcripts?

How you request your official high school transcripts depends on the school. In most cases, you can simply reach out to your guidance counselor, college advisor, or the school’s records office. Some institutions require you to request them online, in person, or through a third-party transcript service.

While you rarely need high school transcripts for careers, they’re an important part of the college application process. If you have any questions about your transcripts or you feel like there’s been a mistake, reach out to your guidance counselor or college advisor as soon as possible.

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Head over to the Student Hub to find out what else you need to include with your college applications and see what college admissions officers are actually looking for. Let’s go!