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anna
Student
Little Rock, Arkansas
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What do colleges look for in your college transcripts?
I’m in 11th grade and starting to apply to colleges.
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5 answers
Murph, Erlis
Academic Advisor
37
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Los Angeles, California
Updated
Murph,’s Answer
The simple answer is your grades, but they also look at patterns. Are most of your courses in sciences and math, history and English or political science and the arts. These patterns help colleges determine your best fit and your likely path for success. Especially if you come in as an undecided major. Your transcripts also tell a story of a steady pattern of academic success or rises and falls. If you start shaky but end strong, that generally is a good sign, versus starting strong and ending bad. Either way, that should be addressed in your college personal statement if the dips are drastic. At the end of the day, the transcripts don't really say how hard of a worker you are or how bad you want to be successful. So one day one, you have to prove yourself all over again and make sure that when you are done, your transcript accurately reflect your hard work.
Adrian Santos
Marine Security Guard
161
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Lome, Maritime Region, Togo
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Adrian’s Answer
Colleges primarily focus on the difficulty level of the courses you've taken and your overall grades in them. Additionally, they pay attention to identifying your strong areas.
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
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Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Hello Anna,
What Do Colleges Look for in Your College Transcripts?
When colleges review your college transcripts as part of the admissions process, they look for key factors that provide insight into your academic performance, abilities, and potential as a student. Here are some of the main aspects that colleges typically consider when evaluating your transcripts:
1. Academic Performance: One of the primary things colleges look at in your transcripts is your academic performance. This includes your grades in individual courses, overall GPA (Grade Point Average), and any trends or patterns in your grades over time. Colleges want to see that you have challenged yourself with rigorous coursework and have performed well academically.
2. Course Selection: Colleges also pay attention to the types of courses you have taken throughout high school. They look for students who have pursued a challenging curriculum, including honors, AP (Advanced Placement), IB (International Baccalaureate), or dual enrollment courses. Taking advanced courses demonstrates your willingness to push yourself academically and can give colleges a better understanding of your preparedness for higher education.
3. Consistency: Consistency in academic performance is crucial when colleges review transcripts. They want to see that you have maintained a strong level of performance across different subjects and semesters. Consistent grades indicate discipline, dedication, and a strong work ethic, all of which are valued by colleges.
4. Improvement: While consistency is important, colleges also appreciate seeing improvement in your academic performance over time. If you had a rough start but showed significant improvement in later years or semesters, this can demonstrate resilience, determination, and the ability to overcome challenges – qualities that colleges often look for in prospective students.
5. Core Subjects: Colleges typically focus on how well you performed in core academic subjects such as English, math, science, social studies, and foreign languages. Strong grades in these foundational subjects are essential for demonstrating your readiness for college-level coursework.
6. Extracurricular Activities: While not directly related to transcripts, some colleges may also consider extracurricular activities listed on your transcript or resume. Involvement in clubs, sports, community service, or leadership roles can provide additional context about your interests, passions, and contributions outside of the classroom.
In summary, colleges look at various aspects of your college transcripts to assess your academic abilities, potential for success in higher education, and overall fit with their institution. By maintaining strong grades, taking challenging courses, showing consistency and improvement, and demonstrating involvement in extracurricular activities, you can present a well-rounded profile that appeals to college admissions committees.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:
The College Board: The College Board is a reputable organization that provides valuable insights into college admissions processes and criteria used by colleges when reviewing applications.
National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC): NACAC is a trusted source for information on college admissions practices and standards followed by institutions across the United States.
U.S. News & World Report - Education Section: U.S. News & World Report’s Education section offers comprehensive guides and articles on college admissions criteria and what colleges look for in applicants’ transcripts.
These sources were consulted to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information provided regarding what colleges look for in college transcripts during the admissions process.
God Bless You,
JC.
What Do Colleges Look for in Your College Transcripts?
When colleges review your college transcripts as part of the admissions process, they look for key factors that provide insight into your academic performance, abilities, and potential as a student. Here are some of the main aspects that colleges typically consider when evaluating your transcripts:
1. Academic Performance: One of the primary things colleges look at in your transcripts is your academic performance. This includes your grades in individual courses, overall GPA (Grade Point Average), and any trends or patterns in your grades over time. Colleges want to see that you have challenged yourself with rigorous coursework and have performed well academically.
2. Course Selection: Colleges also pay attention to the types of courses you have taken throughout high school. They look for students who have pursued a challenging curriculum, including honors, AP (Advanced Placement), IB (International Baccalaureate), or dual enrollment courses. Taking advanced courses demonstrates your willingness to push yourself academically and can give colleges a better understanding of your preparedness for higher education.
3. Consistency: Consistency in academic performance is crucial when colleges review transcripts. They want to see that you have maintained a strong level of performance across different subjects and semesters. Consistent grades indicate discipline, dedication, and a strong work ethic, all of which are valued by colleges.
4. Improvement: While consistency is important, colleges also appreciate seeing improvement in your academic performance over time. If you had a rough start but showed significant improvement in later years or semesters, this can demonstrate resilience, determination, and the ability to overcome challenges – qualities that colleges often look for in prospective students.
5. Core Subjects: Colleges typically focus on how well you performed in core academic subjects such as English, math, science, social studies, and foreign languages. Strong grades in these foundational subjects are essential for demonstrating your readiness for college-level coursework.
6. Extracurricular Activities: While not directly related to transcripts, some colleges may also consider extracurricular activities listed on your transcript or resume. Involvement in clubs, sports, community service, or leadership roles can provide additional context about your interests, passions, and contributions outside of the classroom.
In summary, colleges look at various aspects of your college transcripts to assess your academic abilities, potential for success in higher education, and overall fit with their institution. By maintaining strong grades, taking challenging courses, showing consistency and improvement, and demonstrating involvement in extracurricular activities, you can present a well-rounded profile that appeals to college admissions committees.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:
The College Board: The College Board is a reputable organization that provides valuable insights into college admissions processes and criteria used by colleges when reviewing applications.
National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC): NACAC is a trusted source for information on college admissions practices and standards followed by institutions across the United States.
U.S. News & World Report - Education Section: U.S. News & World Report’s Education section offers comprehensive guides and articles on college admissions criteria and what colleges look for in applicants’ transcripts.
These sources were consulted to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information provided regarding what colleges look for in college transcripts during the admissions process.
God Bless You,
JC.
Charlie Adams
Senior Human Resources Manager
37
Answers
Fort Worth, Texas
Updated
Charlie’s Answer
Colleges review your transcripts to gain insight into your academic performance, paying close attention to your overall grade point average (GPA) and the grades you have earned in individual subjects. They also consider the types of courses you have taken throughout high school, such as advanced placement courses and honors classes. Strong performance in core subjects like English, math, science, and social studies is particularly important as they showcase the foundational knowledge and skills necessary for success in college.
It's important to keep in mind that your transcript is just one factor in the admissions process. Colleges also consider other aspects of your application, including your essay, letters of recommendation, extracurricular involvement, and personal achievements when making their admission decisions.
It's important to keep in mind that your transcript is just one factor in the admissions process. Colleges also consider other aspects of your application, including your essay, letters of recommendation, extracurricular involvement, and personal achievements when making their admission decisions.
Anahi diaz
84
Answers
Phoenix, Arizona
Updated
Anahi’s Answer
Colleges typically review your college transcripts to gain insight into your academic performance and evaluate your suitability for admission. Here are some key aspects that colleges often consider when assessing college transcripts:
1. Grades and GPA: Colleges examine your overall grade point average (GPA) as well as the grades you earned in specific courses. Strong academic performance, especially in relevant subjects or courses related to your intended major, is generally preferred.
2. Course rigor: Admissions officers evaluate the difficulty level of the courses you took during high school and college. They often look for evidence of challenging coursework, such as honors, Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), or college-level classes.
3. Major-specific requirements: For certain majors or programs, colleges may specifically look for strong performance in relevant subjects. They want to ensure that you have the foundational knowledge and skills necessary for success in your chosen field.
4. Progression and improvement
5. Consistency and balance
They also review other aspects, such as standardized test scores, essays, recommendation letters, extracurricular activities, and personal achievements.
1. Grades and GPA: Colleges examine your overall grade point average (GPA) as well as the grades you earned in specific courses. Strong academic performance, especially in relevant subjects or courses related to your intended major, is generally preferred.
2. Course rigor: Admissions officers evaluate the difficulty level of the courses you took during high school and college. They often look for evidence of challenging coursework, such as honors, Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), or college-level classes.
3. Major-specific requirements: For certain majors or programs, colleges may specifically look for strong performance in relevant subjects. They want to ensure that you have the foundational knowledge and skills necessary for success in your chosen field.
4. Progression and improvement
5. Consistency and balance
They also review other aspects, such as standardized test scores, essays, recommendation letters, extracurricular activities, and personal achievements.