What should I expect from an official high school transcript?

Hey everyone, I'm in the process of gathering my documents for college applications, and I'm not exactly sure what an official high school transcript includes. Can anyone share what details are typically listed on it? Does it just have grades, or are there class rankings, attendance records, and stuff like that too?

Hi there! It's great that you're getting your documents in order for your college applications. The official high school transcript is a key part of that package. Generally, an official transcript will include all of the courses you've taken from 9th grade through to the date the transcript is issued. This will also include the grades you received for each of these courses. In addition to your grades, it will often show your cumulative GPA.

Some schools also include class rank, if they rank students, and your transcript might list any academic honors or awards you've received. Attendance records are less commonly found on transcripts, but some schools do include them. It's also worth noting that any advanced courses, such as AP classes, will usually be noted. Each high school might have slight variations in what they include on their transcripts, so you might want to ask your school's administrative office or your counselor for a copy of your transcript to see exactly what yours contains. Hope this helps, and best of luck with your college applications!