STARS FAQ’s

The STARS is created at the Self-Reported Transcript and Academic Record System website. You may also find this STARS page by selecting the hyperlink on your application checklist item “High School Transcript” in your applicant portal. After submitting your application, you will see this checklist item and be able to connect your STARS to your application.

The STARS website becomes available in August, prior to the start of your senior year. You may begin your admissions application prior to completing your STARS. You will not be able to link your STARS to your application until your application has been submitted. Just remember, your application for admission is incomplete and will not be reviewed until your STARS and test scores have been received.

Yes, if you have followed an educational curriculum patterned after the traditional U.S. system. If the curriculum followed cannot be represented on the STARS, contact the Office of Admissions for further instruction.

The STARS collects grades on a semester basis. You should report all grades exactly as they are listed on your transcript. You will use the Course Level field on the STARS to indicate the type of course (e.g., honors, AP, dual enrollment, etc.). Please refer to the following examples to guide your grade submission. If your high school transcript has: Only semester grades: enter your semester grades as shown on your transcript. Only final grades: enter the final grade twice (first semester and second semester) for yearlong courses (one credit), and once for semester-long courses (2.5 credit). For example, if you earned a grade of B in Algebra I which is a yearlong course (5 credits), enter that grade twice (first semester and second semester). Both semester grades and final grades: use the final grade. For example, if you took Algebra I earning an A in the first semester and a B in the second semester with your final grade being a B, enter a grade of B twice (first semester and second semester). Both trimester grades and final grades: use the final grade. If the course is yearlong, enter the final grade twice. If the course is only for one trimester, enter the grade in either the first or second semester. Block scheduling: you are completing a yearlong course (five credits) in one semester and a semester-long course (2.5 credits) in nine weeks. A one credit course will be entered twice (first semester and second semester), and a 2.5 credit course will be entered once. Dual-enrollment courses: you must self-report all college courses’ grades listed on your transcript. If your course is one credit in high school, enter the grade twice (first semester and second semester). If your course is 2.5 credit, enter the grade once. 

Some colleges may accept an official transcript directly from the high school. If they don’t accept the transcript from the high school you will need to complete the STARS. 

You should list your senior-year classes as “In Progress” since you will have no grades associated with them. If your schedule changes, you must immediately update your STARS. To make changes, simply log in to the STARS website with the email address and password used to create your original STARS.

You will enter the class and grade like you would any other class that you have taken during the regular school year; however, you will record the class in the preceding school year. For example, if you took a class between the 9th and 10th grades, you would enter the class as a 9th grade student.

Pluses and minuses are not used in the admission review process and cannot be entered in the STARS. Grades will be reported as A, B, C, D, and F, so grades of B+ and B- are treated as a B grade, and should be denoted in the STARS as a B.

You must self-report all college courses’ grades listed on your transcript. If your course is one credit in high school, enter the grade twice (first semester and second semester). If your course is 1/2 (2.5 credits) credit, enter the grade once. You will then select “dual enrollment” under the course level field.

All attempted coursework must be listed on the STARS, including repeated coursework or coursework that receives pass/fail grades. 

No. When completing the STARS you should list all coursework regardless of how many different schools you attended. If you have attended multiple schools and the classes and grades are not reflected on your current high school transcript, you should obtain a copy of your previous transcript(s) from your guidance office. 

The STARS website uses a database of “official” high school names from College Board which may vary slightly from the everyday name of your school. When you are searching for your school, try to use variants of the official school name. For example, if you attend T.C. Central High School, search “Central High school” in the box. Make sure you select the correct state. If you still can’t find your high school, you should contact the Office of Admissions at the college you are applying to.

Yes. We want your STARS to be as accurate as possible so, if you have corrections or your schedule changes, we encourage you to update your STARS. To make changes, log in to the STARS website with the email address and password used to create your original STARS. 

You should provide the best estimation of what classes you will be taking when completing the STARS. If your schedule changes, you will be able to update the STARS. If the correct information is not listed on your STARS when we validate your classes and grades from your official high school and college transcripts, your admission is subject to revocation and, if discovered after classes begin, cancellation of registration. 

Yes, you can use the STARS at any college/university that accepts the STARS.  Check the list of colleges that use the STARS.

All applicants will be required to submit official high school and college transcripts. These transcripts will be used to validate the information on the STARS. Students with inaccurate STARSs will be contacted and their admission is subject to revocation and, if discovered after classes begin, cancellation of registration. All applicants offered admission will be required to submit final and official transcripts by the colleges deadline.