It happens every year. College application season hits and homeschool parents scramble to get their high school transcript done. Here’s the thing. Most of you avoid it because you fear that it is difficult. You think that it’s not going to be done correctly. And you worry that your homeschooler’s fate relies on you. I know exactly what you’re going through - I have been there. But, I promise you this. The actual transcript is easy peasy once you know what it should include. So how should you create it? I make mine in Google Docs using tables. It is clean looking and professional looking. You ready? Read on to create a transcript that reflects your student, your homeschool, and the kind of document a college admissions committee likes to see.
What is the transcript?
Very simply, the transcript is a one-page document that provides a quick overview of a student’s high school courses, grades, GPA, and, if desired, test scores (more on that later). Not only does a transcript serve as a college admissions piece, but can also be used for scholarships, contests, internships, certifications, and jobs. Please note that the transcript differs from another document called Course Descriptions.
College admissions officers prefer a one-page, simple, easy-to-read transcript.
What are the different kinds of transcripts?
There are two main kinds of transcripts that homeschoolers use; they differ in their organization.
- Subject: Organized by subject and is usually front-loaded by student’s strongest subjects.
- Date: Organized by year. Similar to brick and mortar school transcripts.
Which to use? This depends on your homeschooler. Does one type seem to reflect their story better than another? Does one highlight their strengths better than another? If you have a student who has studied a few languages or a student who has doubled or tripled up in math, a subject transcript may work best for you.
Grading Scale
Each transcript should have a grading key or grading scale. This explains your grading system in an efficient way to the admissions officer. There are a variety of scales from which to choose. Pick one and be consistent.
How do I calculate GPA?
There are two GPA calculations on the transcript. First, there is GPA by year. Second, there is cumulative GPA.
First, assign each course a numerical grade. Let’s make this easy and base it on a 4.0 scale.
Second, multiply that numerical grade by credit amount.
Add up all grade points and divide by number of credits.
3+4+3+2+2= 14
14/4.5= 3.11 GPA
Or, you can use this handy dandy GPA Calculator!
Cumulative GPA: Take each year’s GPA. Add and divide by number of years.
How do I determine credits?
It is common for schools and homeschools to use the Carnegie Unit, which is a system that awards one academic unit or student hour based on time.
Assuming the work is high-school level, one credit is based on 120-180 hours and a half credit is based on 60-90 hours.
Be sure to include:
- “Official High School Transcript” or “Official Homeschool Transcript”
- Student Name
- Date of Graduation
- Male/Female
- Date of Birth
- Common APP ID#
- Counselor Name and Contact Info
- Credits per Year
- Total High School Credits
- GPA per Year
- Cumulative GPA
- Grading Key
- Standardized Test Scores (if you choose)
- Parent Signature and Date
How can I create my own transcript?
You can create your own transcript easily! It is a simple document that can be created using tables within Google docs. The document itself isn’t usually an issue; it is the preparation that goes into it before you create one!
What should I name the courses?
Should your course names be creative? Or should they be standard? Your homeschooler’s education was not standard, so if you have the chance to label their English Class, The Power of Voice in Women’s Literature, do it. Sounds better than 11th grade English, eh? Just make sure it isn't difficult to decipher what subject the class is!
Where do I upload the transcript on the Common App?
In the Workspace Section of the Counselor’s Common App account, there is a transcript section. Here it will ask you how many transcripts you want to upload. Read as “How many pdfs do you want to upload?” If you are including Course Descriptions and School Profile, take those pdfs into account. Upload the document in the "current" slot, being mindful of size requirements.
There you have it! This is the first in my Fearless Homeschool Transcripts series. In the next week, I will be unveiling more posts to help you create an awesome homeschool transcript for your homeschooler's college application!
Lisa is a homeschool college admissions consultant and high school mentor. She is a champion for passionate and talented homeschool outliers who live and learn authentically. Visit her at fearlesshomeschoolers.com.