Understanding SMART Transcripts

Hey guys, so I stumbled on something called SMART Transcripts which apparently record all the military training that can be converted into college credits. Can anyone expand on what these transcripts are and how they work for someone planning to join the military?

Sure, happy to explain! SMART, or the Sailor/Marine American Council on Education Registry Transcript, is an official transcript for Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard personnel that validates and documents the recommended college credit for military occupational experience and training, as well as other learning experiences. It's one way that your military training and experiences can be considered for possible college credit.

The American Council on Education (ACE), one of the most respected higher education organizations in the United States, collaborates with the Department of Defense (DOD) to review military training and experiences in order to evaluate their potential college credit equivalence. ACE will evaluate courses and jobs, and any recommended credits will be listed on your SMART transcript.

But it's up to individual colleges and universities to decide which military courses, jobs, and skill levels can be converted to college credits. The ACE provides recommended credit amounts and levels for formal courses and occupations offered by all of the branches of the military, but the ultimate decision on acceptance will always be up to the institution you're planning to attend.

For example, one college might offer you several credits for your military police training, while another might not. When you're choosing a college, it can be helpful to ask their admissions office or registrar if they can do an evaluation of your SMART transcript, to give you an idea of how many credits you could potentially be granted.

To get a SMART transcript, you'll need to request your transcript from your respective service branch's website. Remember to have a copy of your transcript sent to every school to which you want to apply.

A final tip: Consider getting your SMART transcript early in your transition out of the military, as the process of translating military learning into civilian learning can take time. Hope this helps!