Requesting Transcripts from High School: How?

Hey there, I've been told I need to request my transcripts from my high school for college applications. I'm not quite sure how to do this. Can someone walk me through the process? Do I contact the guidance counselor or is there an online portal I can use?

The way you request transcripts varies by high school, but generally, there are several methods to obtain them. Here's a basic, step-by-step guide that might help you:

1. Contact Your Guidance Counselor: Let your school guidance counselor know that you need your transcripts for college applications. They will be able to guide you through the specific process your school uses, whether it's digital or paper-based.

2. Utilize the School's Online Portal: If your school has a student portal, it may also have an option there to request transcripts. This is becoming an increasingly common practice, so it's worth checking.

3. Official Transcript Request Form: In some cases, your school might have a specific form that you need to fill out to request your transcript. This form could be located on your school's website, or it might be a physical paper that you need to fill out at the school office.

4. Third-Party Transcript Services: Some high schools use third-party online services, such as Parchment or Naviance, to send transcripts. These services act as a hub for all your high school academic records. If your school uses such a service, you would need to create an account on that platform and then request your transcript to be sent to your desired colleges.

Remember, when requesting a transcript, you need to make sure you're asking for an "official" transcript, which might require a small fee. An official transcript usually has some kind of official school seal or signature, means it wasn't tampered with, and it is often sent directly from your high school to the colleges you're applying to, rather than being handed to you.

However, each school is different, and these are general steps. It's best to discuss your needs with a faculty member, such as a guidance counselor, who can give you more detailed, personalized advice.