I've come across the term 'unofficial transcript' in some application instructions and I'm a little confused about what that means. Can someone help me understand what it is and how it differs from an official transcript?
Sure, let's break it down. An unofficial transcript is a document that lists every class you have taken in your high school career, the grades you received in those classes, and your cumulative GPA. The major difference between 'official' and 'unofficial' transcripts lies in their levels of validation. An official transcript is a document that is issued directly by your high school and often has some form of official stamp or seal. It may be sent directly from your school to the organization you are applying to, in a sealed envelope to confirm its authenticity, or it might be offered as a digital document with a signature and school logo.
On the other hand, an unofficial transcript can be a simple copy of the document or a student-accessed version from your school's student portal. It does not bear any identifying marks to prove it's legitimateness.
From an application standpoint, unofficial transcripts are commonly used in the early or intermediary stages of the application process, as they can provide the basic yet critical information about a student's academic history. Some colleges may ask for an official copy later in the process for the final verification.
If you need an unofficial transcript, you can typically download one from your high school's student portal. However, schools vary in their process for accessing unofficial transcripts, so it might be a good idea to reach out to your counselor for assistance if you're unsure.
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