Transcripts

RISD partners with GreenLight so students can electronically send transcripts and other required documents to colleges and employers. In addition, GreenLight also matches you with:

• Colleges & Universities for educational opportunities

• Scholarship providers

• Employment opportunities

Important Points for Students:

• Official Transcripts: Colleges require official transcripts, meaning they must come directly from the high school and be certified as accurate. Students cannot simply upload their own copies.  

• Communicate with Your Counselor: It's crucial for students to communicate with their high school counselor early in the application process to inform them of their college list and the need for transcripts. Provide your counselor with the correct information they need and any deadlines.

RISD does not have an integration platform such as Naviance so be sure to "invite" your counselor through the Common App's recommender section. 

• • Please do NOT use the counselor's email that ends in "g.risd.org". Use the following format: firstname.lastname@risd.org -- Example:  Jane.Washington@risd.org). Please visit the Contacts page on this website to find your counselor's first and last name.

• Deadlines: Be mindful of college application deadlines and give your counselor sufficient time to process and submit your transcript.

• Transcript Recieved: Please be sure to check that the institution you sent your transcript to has received your transcript. See Student Tracking section below.

  • Before you contact your College & Career Advisor or Counselor about your transcript, check your college/university portal and call the university if needed. 

  • Then you can resend your transcript via GreenLight or contact your College & Career Advisor or Counselor.

Common Methods for Sending Transcripts:

Your high school counselor or college & career advisor is your best resource for understanding your high school's separate transcript request process.

1. • Electronic Submission Services: 

     • Students in RISD can use GreenLight to request an official transcript be sent to many institutions that partner with them.

     • RISD, as well as many Texas high schools, use services like TREx (Texas Records Exchange System), to send transcripts electronically to Texas public colleges and universities. 

• Direct Upload (Sometimes for Unofficial Review): Some universities might allow you to upload an unofficial transcript to their application portal for initial review, but they will always require an official transcript for admission.

• Mail: If electronic submission isn't an option, your high school counselor will need to mail an official, sealed transcript directly to the university's admissions office. Make sure you get the correct mailing address.

What Students Can Track

Students have a dashboard in their Common App account where you can track the status of submitted materials, including transcripts.

• Under the "My Colleges" section, for each college, you can typically see a "Recommenders & FERPA" tab or similar.

• Here, you will see if your counselor has been invited and if the counselor has submitted the School Report and transcript. The status might be "Not Arrived," "Arrived," or "Submitted."

• If you see a transcript status of "Not Arrived" for an extended period after you counselor confirmed submission, it's a good indication for you to follow up with your high school.

While you will use ApplyTexas to submit your application, you cannot directly send your high school transcript through the ApplyTexas Application portal itself. You must arrange for your official high school transcript to be sent separately and directly to each university according to their specific instructions by using one of the methods above. 

• Please check the University's Instructions: Each university you apply to through ApplyTexas will have specific instructions on how they want to receive your official high school transcript. This information is usually found on their admissions website under "Application Requirements" or "Submitting Documents."

The student initiates the process through the Common App platform but students do not directly submit their official transcripts through Common App. The process involves the student making a request through the Common App, and the transcript being sent by the high school counselor.

• Student Completes the Education Section: In the "Education" section of the Common App, the student will provide information about their high school.  

• FERPA Release Authorization: In the "My Colleges" tab, under each college the student is applying to, there will be a section called "Recommenders and FERPA." The student must complete the FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) Release Authorization. This gives the colleges permission to access their educational records, including the transcript.  

• Invite the high school counselor: (Your counselor cannot see your progress or status unless you invite them) In the same "Recommenders and FERPA" section, the student will then "Invite a Counselor." This requires providing the counselor's name, title, and email address. 

  • Please do NOT use the counselor's email that ends in "g.risd.org". Use the following format: firstname.lastname@risd.org -- Example:  Jane.Washington@risd.org). Please visit the Contacts page on this website to find your counselor's first and last name.

• High School Counselor Submits the Transcript: Once invited, the high school counselor will receive an email notification from Common App. They will then log into their own Common App account (or create one if they haven't already) and will be able to upload the student's official high school transcript electronically, along with other required school forms like the School Report and Counselor Recommendation (if applicable).

It can feel a little less straightforward when applying to universities that aren't part of the Common App or ApplyTexas, but the process is generally quite manageable. Here are some tips on how to send your transcripts directly to these institutions:

1. Understand the University's Specific Requirements:

• Visit the Admissions Website: Thoroughly check the admissions section of each university's official website. Look for a specific page dedicated to application requirements or transcripts.

• Look for Transcript Submission Instructions: This page will usually outline exactly how they want to receive your official transcripts. Pay close attention to:

  • Preferred Method: Do they prefer electronic transcripts or hard copies?

  • Required Format: If electronic, do they specify a particular service (like Parchment, GreenLight, or the National Student Clearinghouse, TREx for Texas schools)? If hard copy, do they need it in a sealed envelope directly from your high school or previous college?

  • Recipient Address or Email: Note the exact mailing address of the admissions office or the designated email address for electronic transcripts.

  • Any Accompanying Forms: Some universities might require a transcript request form to be submitted along with your transcript. This form might be available on their website.

• Contact the Admissions Office: If the information isn't clear on the website, don't hesitate to contact the admissions office directly via phone or email. They are there to help and can provide specific instructions.

2. Request Your Transcripts (If Needed):

• If the college or university you are applying to does not partner with GreenLight for you to electronically send your transcript to them:

  • Follow Your High School's Process: Look on your high school's Counseling Services website or reach out to your school counselor or college & career advisor to get your campus' steps to request a transcript be sent in a way other than GreenLight.

  • Hard Copy Procedures: If a hard copy is required, ensure your school knows it needs to be sent in an official, sealed envelope with a stamp or seal across the flap. You should not open the envelope yourself, as this will make the transcript unofficial. 

3. Follow Up and Confirm:

• Confirm Receipt with the University: After the estimated delivery time, it's a good idea to check your application portal or contact the university's admissions office to confirm they have received your official transcripts. This can prevent delays in your application process.

  • Call the college first, if it is not apparent they received your transcript in the application portal.

  • Then call your high school College & Career Advisor, if needed.

General Tips:

• Request Early: Don't wait until the last minute to request your transcripts, especially if they need to be mailed. Processing and delivery times can vary, and delays can impact your application.

• Keep Records: Keep copies of your transcript request confirmations and any tracking information.

• Be Prepared for Fees: Many institutions charge a small fee for sending official transcripts. Be prepared to pay these fees promptly.

• For Dual Enrollment/College Courses Taken in High School: You will likely need to request official transcripts from both your high school and the college where you took the dual enrollment courses.

• International Transcripts: If you have transcripts from institutions outside the United States, you may need to have them evaluated by a professional credential evaluation service. The university's website will specify if this is required and which services they accept.

By following these steps and paying close attention to each university's specific instructions, you can ensure your transcripts are sent correctly and your application process goes smoothly. Good luck!