How does a high school transcript look?

Hey guys, I'm kinda stressed because I've never actually seen a high school transcript before. Could someone describe what goes on there? Like, what does it include besides your grades, and how do colleges interpret different parts of it?

Hey there! No need to be stressed about your high school transcript. Think of it as a record of your academic journey. It typically includes your full name, the high school's name, and usually a list of the courses you've taken from 9th through 12th grade, along with the grades you've received in each course. It might also show your GPA, class rank (if your school ranks students), and sometimes your attendance record.

The course names will include any honors or advanced placement (AP) designations, which help colleges understand the rigor of your academics. So, your transcript wouldn't just say "Chemistry" but "AP Chemistry." Some high schools may also note if you've received any awards or distinctions.

Colleges interpret your transcript in tandem with your school profile, which is submitted to them by your guidance counselor and tells them about the available courses at your school, to help them understand your personal curriculum's rigor within your school's specific context. For instance, if you took 3 AP classes, and your school only offers 4 total, that would come across as a quite impressive achievement, whereas taking 3 APs at a school where 20 are offered wouldn't stand out all that much.

Finally, a steady improvement in your grades or consistently high marks in subjects related to your intended major will generally make a good impression. Hope this helps clear up your confusion, and if you want to see exactly what the format of your transcript is, you can even ask your high school for a copy of yours—that's your academic history, after all!