IvyWise On-Demand: The ABCs of the Role of High School Transcripts in College Admissions
A student’s high school transcript is the single most important qualifying or disqualifying element of their application, allowing colleges to assess whether they are academically prepared for the rigor of their curriculum. But how exactly do college admissions officers evaluate a student’s transcript?
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By Robin, IvyWise College Admissions Counselor
Enter any conversation about college admissions, and you will inevitably hear the word “transcript.” This all-important document presents an academic narrative of the applicant, showcasing the grades and courses the student has taken throughout their high school career.
When college admissions officers read a student’s application, they not only review what grades the student has earned but also the rigor of the student’s course selection — which is why it’s important to be intentional when you choose high school classes. While grades are paramount, the strength of your curriculum plays an important role in the overall academic evaluation of the application as well.
What Are Advanced Classes?
Advanced classes in high school offer more rigorous lessons and intensive study to challenge students beyond the standard curriculum. Course rigor demonstrates to admissions committees how prepared you are for college-level work. Here are some common types of advanced classes:
- Honors classes: These courses cover similar material to regular classes but at a faster pace and in more depth. They often require more independent work and critical thinking.
- Advanced Placement (AP) classes: Offered by the College Board, these are college-level courses that culminate in an exam. Scoring well on the AP exam can earn you college credit.
- International Baccalaureate (IB) classes: Part of the IB program, these courses emphasize critical thinking and global awareness. If you complete the required components, you can earn an IB diploma.
- Dual enrollment: These programs allow you to take college courses while still in high school, earning both high school and college credit.
Why Advanced Courses Matter
Do advanced classes matter? If you plan to attend college, the answer is yes! Taking advanced classes can help you develop important skills like problem-solving, time management, and discipline, which are all crucial to success in college and beyond. Additionally, excelling in these courses enhances your college application in a variety of ways.
Showcase Your Growth in High School
When reviewing the transcript, college admissions officers are looking to see if you opted to take the most challenging courses available at your high school. High schools in the U.S. and abroad offer a variety of rigorous courses, and those courses are designated as such by different monikers: Honors, AP, advanced topics, seminars, IB, etc.
Admissions officers consider your course selection in the context of what type of advanced curriculum is available at your high school — that’s why developing a competitive transcript matters. When you apply to college, your high school counselor submits a secondary school report that includes an official copy of your transcript along with the high school profile.
When I reviewed applications, I always consulted the high school profile as it provided me with detailed information about the academic curriculum available at that high school. This document ensures that admissions officers can review and, more importantly, understand, the transcript within the context of the high school that the student attends. The profile also informs the admissions officer of any nuances in the school’s curriculum and grading system.
At some high schools, the highest level of courses available might be “Honors” courses, whereas, at another high school, students might have the option to take AP courses. Admissions officers do not have a preference for an AP class over an advanced class — what matters is that the student is taking the most rigorous courses available.
Demonstrate Your Approach to Academic Challenges
According to NACAC’s 2019 State of College Admissions Report, 62% of colleges view a student’s “strength of curriculum” with “considerable importance” when reviewing applications. By choosing to take challenging courses, the student is indicating to the admissions officer that they do not shy away from academic challenges.
The course content in these advanced courses is often modeled on that of college courses, so from the admissions officer’s perspective, high school students who have opted to challenge themselves in this way are students who will be prepared for the academic rigor they will encounter in their college classes. Listen to Victoria and Christine discuss the soft and hard factors admissions officers evaluate.
Prove Your College-Level Readiness
To this day, I am convinced that the only reason I was successful in my freshman college writing seminar was because I opted to take AP English during my junior and senior year of high school (and it was the only AP course offered at my high school at that time!). It prepared me for the college-level writing that my professors expected from me.
If AP classes are offered at your school, I encourage you do take them. Otherwise, enroll in advanced courses if that option is available.
What’s the Difference Between Advanced and AP Classes?
While both advanced and AP classes are challenging, there are some differences between the two. Advanced Placement (AP) classes, for example, are designed by the College Board and have a standardized curriculum. Advanced classes — often known as Honors classes — can vary significantly between schools.
AP classes — along with IB — are widely recognized by colleges, making them a strong addition to college applications. Additionally, you have the potential to earn college credit through AP courses. While AP is more widely available in the U.S., IB is also worth considering if it’s an option for you. Learn more about IB vs. AP.
Advanced Courses and Test-Optional Policies
In light of the numerous test-optional policies in place at many U.S. universities, the information on a student’s transcript becomes even more important. Some students might find that standardized tests do not present an accurate depiction of their true academic ability, so the grades they’ve earned in advanced courses are a way to highlight their academic strengths.
With standardized test scores no longer being a required data point used in the academic evaluation of a student’s application at many universities, the academic information presented on the transcript is essential in helping the admissions officers determine if that student is an academic match for that university. Grades earned in courses are only one part of the student’s academic narrative — the strength of the student’s curriculum is also closely scrutinized. See how to select the right high school courses to stand out from other applicants.
How to Select Advanced Courses
Students need to thoughtfully consider how to incorporate rigorous courses into their overall curriculum. Every academic year documented on a student’s high school transcript matters in the college application review process. Students in ninth and 10th grade should engage in backward planning, meaning they should start with what courses they hope to take by their senior year and then work back from there, checking to see what course prerequisites must be met in order for them to be able to enroll in those advanced courses.
As a rule, I always advise students to take courses in the five academic core subjects (English, math, social science/history, science, world language) throughout their four years of high school. For many students, it might not be feasible or even desirable to take the highest-level course in all five of those core subjects. As students progress through high school and start to home in on their primary academic areas of interest, they might decide to take advanced-level courses in those subjects instead.
Advanced-level courses will be more challenging both in terms of time commitment and course content, which means that a student might experience a slight dip in their grades. This is why students must strike a balance when planning their courses. For example, a student interested in engineering might want to enroll in the highest-level math and physics classes at their high school and opt for the standard-level English class.
Students should aim to challenge themselves — but not to the point where their well-being suffers. I recommend that students meet with their school counselors, speak with their families, talk with their teachers, and engage in their own self-reflection when selecting courses and determine if they are potentially trying to take on too much in terms of their course load.
Students also need to examine their motivation behind taking certain advanced classes. Engaging in honest self-reflection and consulting with your advisors will ensure that you are selecting a curriculum that is challenging, exciting, and beneficial to your success.
Start Your College Prep with IvyWise
Selecting a challenging high school curriculum that meets a student’s academic ability does not have to be an overwhelming process. At IvyWise, our team of expert counselors helps students thoughtfully plan out an academic trajectory that aligns with their interests and goals and creates a foundation for more challenging courses as they progress through high school.
Contact us to learn more about our customized college admissions counseling programs.
