High School Records You Will Need For Starting College In the Fall
Fall marks the beginning of a new college semester. The first year of college is one of the busiest, namely when it comes to applications and submissions. If you’re one of the fresh high school graduates that will be entering college soon, then you need to prepare a few things.
One of the best pieces of advice that we can offer is to always prepare extra copies of all your documents, especially school-related records. Prepare them as soon as you can to save time in the application process.
You can request most of the necessary documents from your high school but some can be a bit tricky to get. If you are unable to get a copy of your documents, then you may have to secure unofficial records of your high school transcripts and GED records through services like Same Day Diplomas. Get your documents ready before fall comes around. Learn more about the documents you’ll need and how to get them with this guide.
Which High School Records Do You Need To Prepare?
Your college will be asking for a lot of documents so it’s best to have a checklist of what you need to prepare. The requirements may vary depending on the university or college you’re applying for but you should be able to find them by going on your chosen college’s website or visiting them personally to ask for a checklist. Most college applications will require you to submit some documents for personal identification, as well as the following high school credentials:
High School Diploma
Nearly all colleges will require you to submit or at least present your diploma during the application process. This is an official document that serves as an assurance that you’ve completed all prior requirements and courses needed to move on to college. Once you graduate, you will likely receive only one original copy of your high school diploma. Some schools may allow you to request a new one but the processing time takes a while, so the next best solution would be to have an extra copy made so that you can make it in time for college applications.
High School Transcript
Your high school transcript offers a more detailed glance at your academic history in high school. The document contains all of your grades and records, from your first year of high school until you graduate. The transcript includes all of the classes you took, when you took them, what final grade you received for each class, and your GPA. Some schools will also include special merits like awards and attendance records in the transcript, but your grades and academic standing are the highlights of the document.
GED Records
If you’re unable to complete high school, then taking the GED is the best alternative. Although most colleges prefer high school diplomas, many good universities in the country still accept GED records as proof of your academic standing and high school equivalency. Similar to high school documents, your GED records will include a diploma and a transcript of your grades upon completion.
The Application Process
Most students begin sending in their college applications in the middle of their last year of high school. The requirements for the application are usually split into two parts: requirements that you must submit yourself and requirements that your guidance counselor or school will submit for you. The documents that you must submit yourself include your college application form, SAT results, and additional requirements like essays or resumes.
Your school will be in charge of submitting your high school transcript and your final-year grades. Most initial applications only ask for your grades during your junior year, so some colleges may ask for follow-ups and updates about how your grades are doing as your senior year concludes. Although your counselor is responsible for sending your high school transcripts to your chosen college or university, it’s still good to have an onhand copy for when you need to use it for other purposes. This is where an unofficial high school transcript and GED records are most useful.
What Is an Unofficial Transcript?
An unofficial transcript is essentially a copy of your high school transcript or GED records. It is considered an unofficial copy because it can be taken directly from your high school’s online portal. It will not contain all of the information that can be found on your official transcript but will still display a copy of your grades and credits from high school. Most colleges require a copy of your official transcript for your initial application. However, unofficial transcripts come in useful for other purposes, such as applying for financial aid.
An official transcript contains all of your essential high school information, paired with your high school’s seal. It’s possible to get another official copy of your transcript but the processing time can be an inconvenience, especially if you’re doing some last-minute applications and trying to meet a deadline. In this case, you will need to look for a reliable service to provide your unofficial high school transcript and GED records.
Why You Need a Copy of Your High School Documents in College
College opens up a lot of opportunities for you and it’s always best to get started as soon as you can. Some of these applications are first come, first serve so you must secure all of your documents as soon as possible. Here are some common examples of applications that will require you to submit a copy of your high school transcript or GED records.
Scholarship Applications
Scholarships are offered by the university for promising students with good academic standing. The processing time for your application will likely take a while, especially if you are studying at a large university. You’ll want to know if you’re eligible or not as soon as possible, so it’s best to have your high school transcript or GED records prepared so you can submit your application right away. Scholarships mainly focus on your grades, so most of the time, an unofficial copy will suffice.
Financial Aid
There are many options for financial aid for college students available throughout the country. There’s aid offered by the government, non-profit organizations, private companies, and many more. Like scholarships, most financial assistance programs require the student to be in good academic standing to qualify. Many of these programs are first-come, first-serve so your best bet would be to submit your documents as soon as they begin accepting applications. This gives you a better chance of getting approved, especially for government-funded programs that receive thousands of applications at a time.
College Clubs and Organizations
Extracurricular activities like clubs and organizations make a nice addition to your resume. Although it isn’t as common as with scholarships and financial aid, clubs might still ask for your transcript as a requirement for membership. In this instance, an unofficial copy of your high school transcript or GED records should be enough to submit with the rest of your documents.
How To Get an Unofficial Copy of Your High School Transcript
Your unofficial high school transcript can often be accessed directly on your institution’s online portal. The transcript will most likely be found in the tab where your grades are displayed. There should be a ‘print’ option somewhere on the page. Once you find the button, you can click on it and print out as many copies of your unofficial high school transcript as you need.
If you aren’t able to do this, then companies such as Same Day Diplomas can help you create an unofficial copy to use in the meantime.
There’s No Time To Waste – Get Your Documents Today
Unofficial copies of your high school transcript and GED records are convenient and easy to obtain but if you are in a rush to get your official documents, then Same Day Diplomas offers the right services for you. We supply high-quality and custom-made replacements for your diplomas, high school transcripts, and GED records. Receive your replacement copies as soon as you need them. Start by requesting a quote on our website.
References:
https://ged.com/blog/how-to-obtain-a-copy-of-your-ged-transcript/?lang=en#
https://ged.com/blog/how-to-obtain-a-copy-of-your-ged-transcript/?lang=en#