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in college, be sure to keep a list of courses studied and grades earned. These will also be included on your transcript.

What particular courses are required for college entrance?

A typical college-prep course of study will include: 4 Language Arts credits, 3 Science credits, 3 or 4 Math credits, 3 or 4 Social Science credits, 2 Foreign Language credits, 1 Health Education credit, and 5-7 electives. If your student wishes to attend a particular university, check their requirements ahead of time.

How do I make a professional-looking transcript?

You can design your own transcript, order one from a home school website or find a template on the web. Be sure your transcript is neat, free of errors and typed in an easy-to-read standard font and size. The student's name, birth date, address and phone, social security number, graduation date and accumulative grade-point-average (GPA) should be near the top of the transcript. This gives the reviewer quick access to pertinent information.

Do not let the word "transcript" give you nightmares. When your student is in junior high, begin your future-transcript research. Once you know which subjects/courses are required for graduation, plan your high school studies accordingly. If your child takes the PSAT or ACT, make copies of those results, along with any dual-enrollment credits and grades. If your student is involved in extra-curricular activities and volunteer work that could be considered educational, be sure to log that in your file.

Once high school begins, go the extra mile to keep accurate records - this is the first step in building an official transcript. If you keep hand-written records, photo copy them and file them in a safe place. Those kept on a computer should be downloaded onto a disk just in case you have a hard-drive crash.

When your child begins his/her senior year, everything seems to escalate and time flies by. Don't get caught at the last minute rushing around to slap a transcript together. Work throughout the year to pull out those files you've kept so carefully - then start designing that all-important transcript!

Learn more about this author, Nan Keltie.
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