Q: What is the difference between an Official Transcript and an Unofficial Transcript?
A: Official transcripts are sent directly from the high school to the college or organization that needs the transcript. Unofficial transcripts are any transcript a student sends or uploads. An Official and Unofficial transcript are the same document - it is simply a matter of how it is sent. An Official transcript may have a stamp or seal on it indicating it is official if it is printed and sent in a sealed envelope.
Colleges will need an official transcript at some point during the application process because they want to make sure the information on the transcript hasn’t been altered in any way. However, many colleges now allow students to self-report their high school grades during the application process by uploading a copy of their unofficial transcript, which helps the college speed up the application review process.
OFFICIAL
Your counselor can send this via SchooLinks. See directions below for what needs to be done on your end!
Q: how do i send an official transcript to colleges?
A:
If you are NOT using CommonApp to apply to colleges, follow the College Application Manager video to manually add your school(s).
If you are using CommonApp, watch the CommonApp Walkthrough video to connect your SchooLinks and CommonApp accounts.
Once you have done one of these steps, your counselor will see this on their end + send the transcript directly to your colleges!
Q: how do i send an official transcript for a scholarship, to NCAA, or to anyone else that isn't a college?
A:
Most scholarships or other organizations will provide you with an email that transcripts can be sent to. You can send this to your counselor so they can send your transcript DIRECTLY to the organization’s email address!
Transcripts can also be mailed via USPS in a sealed envelope. You must provide the EXACT address of where it needs to be sent. The transcript will be sent to whatever address you provide, so make sure you double check that it is the right address.
As long as you have created an NCCA account, your transcript will be uploaded at the end of your Junior year then AGAIN at the end of your Senior year. Follow the steps in the NCCA Brochure for more instructions on the overall process.
UNOFFICIAL
You can download a copy of your Unofficial Transcript in SchooLinks. See directions below!
Q: how do i get a copy of my unofficial transcript?
A:
Log into Backpack
Click on Education Apps
Click on SchooLinks icon
Click on School Icon
Click Records Requests
Click the blue “Download unofficial transcript” link
Click "Download" button in pop-up box
ghs alumni
Stephen F. Smith
Graduated less than 5 years ago
contact the school counselor whose caseload matches with your last name or call 864-355-5504 to have a physical copy of your transcript mailed.
Yoda in ‘Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back’ CREDIT: LucasFilm
Graduated 5 or More Years Ago
follow the instructions on the Requesting Transcripts - District Page and complete the Student Transcript/ Records Request Form.
