When we think of transcripts, we tend to think of numbers—things like overall GPA and class ranking. But when colleges read your student's transcript, they're actually looking at a lot more than that. They're using the transcript to help inform their holistic understanding of your student and get a better grasp on how your student will fare in their undergraduate courses.

So what exactly are readers looking at when they review a transcript? Colleges consider four key ways colleges will read a student’s transcript as part of the admissions read:

1. WHAT COURSES HAS YOUR STUDENT TAKEN?

Instead of looking only at a student's grades, colleges pay close attention to the specific courses a student has taken. Sometimes this is to be sure prerequisites for a specific major have been fulfilled; for example, many schools will want to see that a student focusing on STEM majors took calculus in their junior year. Other times it's to see if a student's course load is challenging enough: colleges want to better understand when and how a student challenged themselves, without their grades suffering. 

Takeaway: Be sure your student selects classes they feel are challenging, worthwhile, and in line with their interests.

2. WHAT IS YOUR STUDENT'S ACADEMIC CORE GPA? 

Overall GPA is important, but when evaluating transcripts, college admissions decision-makers focus mostly on a student's grades in core academic courses. Core academic courses cover 5 areas: English, History/Social Science, Foreign Language, Math, and Science. In admissions, some colleges will recalculate a student’s GPA to reflect only their grades in core courses. Other colleges, for example, when reviewing applications from high schools with religious affiliations, will consider grades from rigorous theology courses. Colleges will even use algorithms to recalculate a GPA and be sure that the overall number isn't skewed by courses like Physical Education (which doesn't generally indicate a student's academic potential). And still, some colleges will review a student’s weighted GPA as reported on their application. 

If students have concerns about how a certain college or university approaches a transcript, follow up with the school’s admission representative long before submitting your application. Not only will you have answers to any questions, but developing relationships with admissions representatives is a vital form of demonstrated interest. 

Takeaway: Be sure your student focuses on their core academic courses the most.

3. WHAT ARE YOUR STUDENT'S TRANSCRIPT TRENDS?

Let's say your student got lots of B's in 9th grade, but their grades at the beginning of junior year were all A's. Colleges will notice that upward grade trend, and in some cases, they may be a bit more forgiving of weaker grades earlier on. On the other hand, if a student's grades were strongest early in high school and have gone down in their junior or senior year, colleges will notice that too. If there's a reason for a student's grade decline—like a medical issue—it's worth mentioning in their application. Supplying relevant context to a student’s situation is imperative. Places to do this in an application include the additional information section as well as in teacher recommendations and counselor reports. 

Takeaway: Don't be discouraged by lower grades in 9th and 10th grade, but be sure that the grades trend upward in junior and senior years.

4. WHAT COURSES DOES YOUR STUDENT'S HIGH SCHOOL OFFER?

Colleges understand that each high school might have its own curriculum, and they won't expect a student to take courses that aren't offered at their school. As part of the transcript, a school profiles a demographic record of the school's student population, AP/IB classes offered, and other academic information. Colleges will use that information to consider the relative rigor of a high school's curriculum. Having said that, it reflects well on your student if they go out of their way to take outside courses (online or in the summer) that cover a topic that their school doesn't include in their curriculum. 

Takeaway: Colleges will take into consideration each high school's academic offerings, but it shows initiative for a student to take classes elsewhere that aren't offered at their school.

In the end, a transcript is about a lot more than raw numbers. Remember, there are humans reading the transcript, and that means they're analyzing those numbers through various contextual lenses. Curriculum strength, core academic GPA, grade trends, and high school offerings all play into how a college reads your student's transcript, so there are many opportunities for students to shine.