Moving high school transcripts to colleges

As a junior planning my college applications, I'm curious about how to send my high school transcripts to colleges. Are there multiple ways to do this, and is one method better than others for getting them in fast?

Creating a plan is always a great starting point in your college application process. You are correct in that there are multiple ways to send high school transcripts, and the best method can sometimes depend on your school’s procedures and the colleges' preferences.

Many high schools provide two main methods for sending transcripts: electronic delivery or traditional mail. Electronic delivery is generally faster and more efficient, and it can be done in a couple of ways.

Firstly, some high schools use platforms like Naviance or Parchment to send transcripts electronically. These platforms digitally send your official transcript directly to the schools you’re applying to. They often track when your transcript is sent and received, offering you peace of mind.

Secondly, some colleges allow you to self-report your grades initially, and only require an official transcript if you’re accepted and decide to attend. For the self-reporting schools, you will fill in your courses and grades in your application, and they will verify them later with an official transcript.

Although, traditional mail is typically slower than electronic delivery, some schools or colleges prefer this method. In this case, your high school will print an official copy of your transcript and mail it to the college admissions office. Be sure to ask your school counselor about the timeframe for this process to ensure it arrives by your application deadline.

However, remember that each college may have different requirements, so it’s crucial to check what each school prefers before sending your transcript. For example, the Common App allows colleges to specify their preference, so you can check there if you're using that platform to apply.

Keep in mind that schools need some time to process requests, especially during application season, so it's always best to ask for your transcript to be sent as early as possible. Providing ample time will ensure your transcript arrives prior to your application deadline.