What is a Transcript? | Central Washington University

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What is a Transcript?

Official vs. Unofficial Transcripts

Your transcript is your official record of classes, grades, GPA, and degrees.

Unofficial transcript: A free copy you can view or download for your own use. Good for planning, advising, or applications that don’t require a certified record.

Official transcript: A certified record issued by the Registrar and sent directly to a school, employer, or agency (or provided on paper in a sealed envelope). Required for admissions, final verification, and many scholarships or licenses.

Rule of thumb: If the instructions say “official,” “sealed,” “certified,” or “sent directly by the institution,” you need an official transcript.

What’s the Difference?

An unofficial high school transcript is the copy you can usually see or print yourself, often through your school’s online portal or by asking your counselor. It lists the same details as an official transcript (your courses, grades, GPA, and credits earned) but it is not certified by your school. There’s no school seal or official signature, and it’s not sent through a secure channel.

An official high school transcript, on the other hand, is a certified document issued by your school. It carries the registrar’s or counselor’s signature, may include the school’s seal, and must be delivered securely. Most colleges and universities (including CWU) require this version. To remain valid, it must be sent directly from your high school to the college, either electronically through an approved service or in a sealed envelope that has not been opened.

How Do I Get and Send My High School Transcript?

Unofficial transcript (for your own use):

Log into your high school’s student portal (if available) to download or print a copy. Or, ask your counselor or registrar for a copy marked unofficial.
Because you are the one providing it, there are no restrictions on how it’s shared.
Remember, colleges will typically not accept an unofficial transcript for admissions decisions.

Official transcript (for colleges, scholarships, or verification):

Request it through your high school counselor, registrar, or the transcript request system your school uses.
Specify the college(s) where you want it sent.
Delivery options:
- Electronic (fastest): Many schools use secure services like Parchment, Naviance, or ScribOrder.
- Paper: Printed on official paper, sealed in an envelope, and often stamped or signed.
If the envelope seal is broken or the transcript is opened, it is no longer considered official.
Always confirm the delivery method your college accepts, and check that your transcript was received.

What Appears on a High School Transcript?

Your high school transcript typically includes:

Legal name and student ID.
High school name and contact information.
Courses taken by term/semester.
Final grades for each course.
Credits earned.
Cumulative GPA and/or class rank (if your school reports it).
Graduation date once you’ve finished high school.

What you won’t see: test scores (SAT, ACT, AP, or IB) unless your school includes them by policy. Financial balances and disciplinary records are not shown, but a school may withhold official transcripts if there are outstanding fees or obligations.