This week on Homeschool Highschool Podcast: Ten Terrific Tips for Transcripts.
Ten Tips for Terrific Transcripts
Transcripts are vitally important as record of all the work your homeschool high schoolers have done. Who needs need a high school transcript:
- Homeschool graduates who want to serve in the military (check out this interview with a military recruiter)
- Non-college-bound homeschool graduates who will be going into the workforce. (Most employers do not ask to see your teens’ transcript, but it does happen occasionally.)
- College-bound homeschool graduates
Click image for full description.
BTW- 7Sisters has a transcript kit that includes an editable template and detailed instructions.
So if your teen needs a transcript, it might as well be the most advantageous transcript you can produce. With that in mind, here are ten tips for a terrific transcript!
Remember, there’s not ONE right way to homeschool high school. Also, there’s not ONE right way to create a transcript. So, do what is best for you and your teens.
Transcript Tip #1
You need it. You may not be required by homeschool law to produce a transcript, but your teen will likely need it at some point.
In my years as the upperclass advisor for our local umbrella school, I found that transcripts can be important years after graduating from high school.
- I remember one graduate school insisting that one of our graduates produce her high school transcript, even though she had just graduated with her undergraduate degree from a four-year college.
- Another young man was required to produce his high school transcript for a new job years after homeschool graduation.
Transcript Tip #2
It should be easy to read. As we have often noted: there is not a standardized format that your homeschoolers’ transcripts need to follow. However, the most useful transcripts are easy to scan quickly to get an idea of who your teens are.
Transcript Tip #3
Start in ninth grade. You will thank me for this tip. Can you imagine getting to senior year and needing to dig through years of portfolios and crates and boxes, trying to piece together a transcript? (We have had to help a few homeschoolers do that. While we made it happen, it’s tough.)
You don’t need that stress. Go ahead. Start in ninth grade!
The cool thing, as you watch that transcript develop year to year, you and your teens will feel SO proud of what they are accomplishing. As the transcript builds each year, teens can really feel proud of their successes.
Transcript Tip #4
Keep the format consistent year to year, especially the order of the courses your teen completes. Take for instance:
- List English/Language Arts first each year
- Then list Math next each year
- After that list Science
- Then list History
You do not need to follow this format, per se, but do order the courses. That way admissions officer, military recruiter or human resources personnel can quickly scan to make sure your teen accomplished all they needed to in high school.
Also, choose the titles for the courses wisely. Here’s a post to help you choose the names for courses.
Transcript Tip #5
Show the level of rigor your homeschool high schooler worked at for each core course:
- English/Language Arts
- Math
- Science
- Social Studies
Levels can be used for other courses also.
Simply record the level of rigor right next to the course title on the homeschool transcript. For instance:
- Level 1: Remedial
- Level 2: Average high school
- Level 3: College prep
- Level 4: Advanced
- Level 5: Honors
Check this post for details on levels on a transcript.
This lets colleges or military recruiters know that your teen can handle rigorous academics.
Transcript Tip #6
Include a legend or key on the transcript. Because there is no standardized format for Levels, you will need to include a key or legend on the transcript to explain how the levels are earned.
Transcript Tip #7
Have a GPA recorded on the homeschool transcript. Decide whether you want that GPA:
- Weighted or
- Unweighted
For instance, a weighted GPA might be greater than 4.0 to reward teens for their hard work. On the other hand, when applying to colleges, the GPA tends to undo the weighting so that they can compare student to student.
Transcript Tip #8
Include testing scores. If your teen is taking SAT or ACT, it is good to include those scores on the transcript.
Although teens often are often asked these scores as part of their college applications, it is good to have them on the transcript also. That’s because of the “skimmers”. In other words, having the testing scores on the transcript helps admissions officers skim the transcript and turn up LOTS of good information.
Transcript Tip #9
Include extracurricular activities and competitions on the transcript. This is so beneficial for teens who participate in chosen activities for a couple of years in a row. It makes the transcript look so powerful.
Also, include service hours on the transcript. Volunteering shows strength of character and willingness to be involved in the community. Not only that, but these projects helps them when they build their experiential resume.
It is also good for nostalgia when your teens are grown and on their own. You and they can look back and remember all the cool things they did!
Transcript Tip #10
Make sure you include identifying information for your teen. (This seems so obvious, but hey, we are homeschoolers and our kids don’t have to put their names on papers. In the same way, it is easy for us to forget all the important identifying information on the transcript.)
Include this information at the top of the transcript:
- Student’s full name
- Complete address
- Email address
- Your homeschool’s name or the word “Homeschool” at the top. (This is optional.)
This distinguishes your teen from other applicants with similar names.
These tips are tips that have worked for us and our advisees. Remember: there’s not ONE right way to build a transcript so do what is best for you and yours.
Want more support?
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And for more homeschool support, check out our sister podcasts right here on the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network:
Join Vicki for encouragement and tips for terrific transcripts!
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