School Transcripts - What Exactly Are They?

Excuse my ignorance, but can someone clarify what school transcripts are? I know they're important for college applications, but what do they contain, and how do I get them from my school?

A school transcript is a comprehensive record of your academic achievements throughout high school. They typically include the following:

1. The courses you took each year: This includes not just the name of the course, but also sometimes the course level - whether it's regular, honors, AP, IB, or dual-enrollment.

2. Grades: Your final grades for these courses, often included for each semester or quarter.

3. Your cumulative GPA: This may be weighted, unweighted, or both, depending on your school's policies.

4. Class rank: Not all schools provide this, but if yours does, it can tell colleges how you compare academically to your classmates.

5. Advanced courses and exams: If your school offers AP courses and you've taken AP exams, your scores might be included.

6. Attendance and disciplinary records: While not always included, some schools may include these details.

As for how to get your transcript, it depends on your school's policies. Some schools might have an online portal where you can request it. Others might require you to send a written request or fill out a form in the school office. Usually, your school's guidance counselor or registrar's office is the best place to start.

Remember that official transcripts need to be sent directly from your school to the colleges you're applying to. In contrast, for an unofficial transcript, which you might use for your reference or planning, you might be able to hand-carry or email a copy.

Always check the specific application instructions for each college you apply to ensure you're following their transcript submission guidelines.