Frequently Asked Questions about completing the Self-Reported Academic Record

To be considered for admissions to the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, students must submit the following three items: an application, $55 application fee and Self-Reported Academic Record (Courses & Grades in Common App). The Academic Record is where you will self-report your high school courses and grades, and your test scores.

To see what materials we have received, and what materials are still missing, please visit Application Tracker

Self-Reported Academic Record: Transcript Examples

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Get ready to enter your courses and grades

A little bit of prep work up front can set you up for a smooth experience entering your high school classes into SRAR (on the Golden Gopher Application) or Courses and Grades (on Common App).

Transcript samples into Courses & Grades and SRAR

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Transcript samples into Courses & Grades and SRAR

Quarterly grades

Transcript sample - 9th grade quarters

Quarter grades transcript example - original and highlighted versions

How quarters look in Common App

Leave the "final" grade dropdown blank if your school does not award final grades.

 

Transcript with quarter grades entered into Common App Courses and Grades

How quarters look in SRAR

transcript by quarters entered into SRAR (Golden Gopher App)

Trimester grades

Transcript sample - 9th grade trimesters

Transcript sample demonstrating 9th grade in trimesters

How trimesters look in Common App

Leave the "final" grade dropdown blank if your school does not award final grades.

 

how a 9th grade transcript with trimester grades is entered in Common App

How trimesters look in SRAR

how 9th grade trimester grades were entered into SRAR

 

Semester grades

Transcript sample - 9th grade semesters

transcript sample demonstrating 9th grade in semesters

 

How semesters look in Common App

Leave the "final" grade dropdown blank if your school does not award final grades.

 

9th grade semester courses entered into Common App

How semesters look in SRAR

Semester grades entered into SRAR screenshot

 

12th grade courses

Transcript example - Grade 12 courses in progress

sample transcript of grade 12 courses in progress

How grade 12 in-progress courses look in Common App

In Common App, your grade 12 courses in progress (classes you don't have grades for yet) will NOT go into the Courses & Grades section. Instead, enter them into the Education section under "Current or Most Recent Year Courses."

Screenshot of Education section of the Common App

 

Here's what the final entry would look like:

Grade 12 courses in progress entered into Common App

 

How Grade 12 courses in progress look in SRAR

Enter courses the same way you did for grades 9-11, but choose "In Progress" in the grade drop-down menu.

dropdown menu showing the selection of "In Progress" for courses that don't have grades yet

 

Here is the full list of in-progress courses entered in SRAR:

Grade 12 courses in progress entered into SRAR

PSEO/College in the Schools courses

Transcript sample for PSEO and CIS courses

PSEO and CIS courses on high school transcript

How PSEO and CIS courses look in Common App

PSEO and CIS courses entered into Common App

How PSEO and CIS courses look in SRAR

PSEO and CIS courses entered into SRAR

Other examples and tips

Content coming soon!

Self-Reported Academic Record: Accessing Your Academic Record

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How do I log into my Self-Reported Academic Record?

To access your Self-Reported Academic Record (SRAR), you must log into Application Tracker

  • To access Application Tracker for the first time, you will need your student ID number.
  • If you have already used Application Tracker, you will need to log in using your U of M internet ID.

If you don't have a student ID number, or have forgotten your login information, please visit use the "I do NOT have a student ID number" or "I forgot my login information" buttons on the Application Tracker page.

How do I access the Academic Record (Courses & Grades) section?

Application platform: Academic Record method: Important note:
Golden Gopher Application Complete the Academic Record section within the Golden Gopher Application. After you submit your Academic Record, remember to follow the prompts on the screen to review and submit your application form.
Common Application Complete the Courses & Grades section within Common Application. In the Courses & Grades section, click "Yes" to the statement "I am able to obtain a copy of my transcript."

What do I need in order to fill out the Academic Record (Courses & Grades) section?

To fill out the Academic Record (Courses & Grades) section you will need:

  • A computer with internet connection
  • A copy of your unofficial transcript listing courses and grades from 9th-11th grade as well your current or upcoming 12th grade course titles (Do not enter your courses or grades from memory!)
    • You should not submit a transcript as part of your application. Any transcripts submitted will not be used as part of our application review process, nor count as part of a complete application.
  • Your ACT, SAT, or other standardized test scores (if you are choosing to include an ACT/SAT test score in the review of your application.)

What should I remember when I complete my Academic Record (Courses & Grades)?

As you're completing the form, remember that...

  • You must be accurate. Have a copy of your unofficial transcript in hand to ensure accuracy.
  • You must be complete. Report all coursework—both completed and in progress.
  • You must be honest. Do not weight grades or change any information as it appears on your transcript.

For full descriptions of these expectations, you can review our Verification of Self-Reported Academic Record Policy.

How much time will it take to complete the form?

We estimate that it will take about 45-60 minutes to complete the Academic Record (Courses & Grades) on the application. Allow for more time if you have attended multiple schools or colleges. The form allows you to save your work, so you don't have to complete the form in a single session.

Should I still submit my high school transcript, just in case?

No. You should not submit a transcript as part of your application to the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. Instead, you must self-report your courses, grades, and test scores as part of your freshman admission application. Any transcripts submitted will not be used as part of our application review process, nor count as part of a complete application.

Who can I talk to for technical help with the Academic Record (Courses & Grades) section?

For questions related to your educational experiences (such as course levels or grades), please contact an admissions counselor at 612-625-2008 or 1-800-752-1000.

For technical assistance (such as trouble logging in or using the form's dropdown menus) in the Golden Gopher Application's Academic Record section, please use the "Help" button in the top right corner of the online form.

Who do I contact if I need accessibility accommodations for the Academic Record (Courses & Grades) section?

If you need any assistance with the Academic Record (Courses & Grades) section, we are happy to help. Contact us at 612-625-2008 or 1-800-752-1000, or by email at [email protected].

Self-Reported Academic Record: High School Information

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What if I have attended more than one high school?

You should list all high schools you have attended and the years you attended them. You will enter your courses and grades under the high school where each course was taken.

How do I record my dates of attendance if I leave one high school for another, and then return to my original school?

Enter the dates of attendance for the school to which you returned without any breaks in attendance. Record your courses and grades only for the years that you attended.

Enter the dates of attendance for the school to which you initially transferred just for the time that you attended.

Example: Student attended Hillsborough High School for grades 9 (09-2018 to 06-2019), 11 & 12 (09-2020 to 06-2022) and Franklin High School for grade 10 (09-2019 to 06-2020).

  • Enter the dates for Hillsborough High School as 09-2018 to 06-2022 and record the courses and grades for grades 9 (2018-2019), 11 (2020-2021), and 12 (2021-2022).
  • The dates of attendance for Franklin High School would be recorded as 09-2019 to 06-2020.

How to I enter my courses if I switch schools in the middle of a school year?

The SRAR generates the coursework entry fields (on the Enter Coursework screen) as academic years (e.g. 09/2017 - 06/2018) based on the dates of attendance on the Enter High Schools screen (e.g. 09/2017-06/2021).If you switched schools mid year (e.g. 01/2018) or mid semester (e.g. 03/2018) we recommend that you use the following approach to record all of your courses and grades for each school.

1. Return to the Enter High Schools screen and temporarily change the Dates of Attendance so that they show all four years of high school (e.g. 09/2017-06/2021) for both schools.

Self-Reported Academic Record - Switched High School screenshot explanation

2. Next, click on Enter Coursework and select the first school that you attended. You will see the academic years for four years of high school; however, you only need to record the courses and grades for the dates that you were enrolled.

3. Once you record your courses and grades for the first school, return to the Enter Coursework screen to select the second school. Repeat the process to record the courses and grades for this school as well.

4. After completing all of your course entries please return to the Enter High Schools screen and record the correct dates of attendance for each school.

Self-Reported Academic Record - Switched High School screenshot explanation part 2

Note: The screenshot above is shown for demonstration purposes only. Please enter your actual dates of attendance. 

What if my high school uses a numerical grading scale that includes decimals?

If your transcript includes numerical grades with decimals, you should select "Other" under the Grade Scale heading.

What if my high school uses a narrative transcript where no letter or number grades are given?

Please contact the Office of Admissions at 612-625-2008 or 1-800-752-1000, or by email at [email protected].

If my 9th grade year was taken in a middle school or junior high, should I add my middle school/junior high school to my "High Schools Attended" list?

No. (You can enter your ninth grade coursework under your high school name. You do not need to enter the middle school or junior high as a separate school.)

International applicants: please see the international section for more detailed information about listing your secondary schools.

I attended an international school for a year and received credit. How do I list that on the Academic Record when I also attended a domestic high school?

Please list all of the high schools you attended and the courses and grades completed for each high school. However, if you enrolled in a course as part of a learning abroad program through your current high school and the course is on your current high school transcript, please just list your current high school on the Academic Record.

I took the GED. How do I report my high school courses?

You do not need to submit a Self-Reported Academic Record. Please contact the Office of Admissions at 612-625-2008 or 1-800-752-1000, or by email at [email protected].

International students: see the international section if you have taken the GED.

If I was homeschooled, should I complete the Academic Record form?

Yes, please complete the Academic Record form.

Self-Reported Academic Record: Courses and Grades

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How should I choose Course Level?

Select the level that best matches the level names used by your school, even if it doesn't exactly match how your school describes course levels.

How should I choose Course Length (Golden Gopher Application) or Schedule (Common App) for a class I took all year?

If you took a course for a full year and your school DOES provide a final year grade:

  • GOLDEN GOPHER APPLICATION: Do NOT report your quarter/trimester/semester grades. Instead, choose the "Full Year" option from the dropdown menu and only report this final full year grade.
  • COMMON APP: Enter your quarter/trimester/semester grades in the appropriate dropdown menus, and enter your full year grade in the "Final" grade dropdown menu.

If you took a course for a full year and your school DOES NOT provide a final year grade:

  • GOLDEN GOPHER APPLICATION: Simply report your quarter/trimester/semester grades.
  • COMMON APP: Enter your quarter/trimester/semester grades in the dropdown menus, and leave the "Final" grade dropdown menu blank.

For the Course Name, should I abbreviate course titles exactly as they appear on my transcript, or should I write the full words if I know them?

Please enter the names exactly as they are shown on your transcript. For example, if your transcript lists "EngLit/Com 10" you should type "EngLit/Com 10" rather than spelling out the words.

What if I took a course for only one semester/trimester/quarter?

Enter the course and the grade you received for the term (semester, trimester, or quarter). Leave the other term grades blank and they will not populate into your "Currently Entered Coursework."

If the course length is not a semester, trimester or quarter, you can indicate a course length as a "Single Marking Period" (Golden Gopher Application) or "Other" (Common App) and list the amount of credits you earned in the course.

My high school uses a letter grade system with AB grades, so the scale goes A, AB, B, BC, etc. How do I enter that on the Academic Record?

  • COMMON APP: Select "other" in the grading scale menu.
  • GOLDEN GOPHER APPLICATION: select "other" as your grading scale in the "Enter High Schools" section:

How do I report college courses taken through a PSEO (Post-Secondary Enrollment Option) program?

Enter these courses under your high school. When entering your courses, select "Dual Enrollment" for the Course Level. Please consult the PDF guide for step-by-step help with the Golden Gopher Application.

How do I report college courses taken at my high school, such as College in the Schools?

Enter these courses under your high school. When entering your courses, select "College in HS" (Golden Gopher Application) or "College Prep" (Common App) for the Course Level.

How do I report my Project Lead the Way (PLTW) courses?

Enter the Project Lead the Way course title exactly as it appears on your high school transcript in the Course Name section of the Self-Reported Academic Record. Enter the Course Level as Dual Enrollment.

What if I repeated or withdrew from one or more of my classes?

Your Academic Record form must list all courses that you've attempted. If the course appears on your transcript (including repeated or withdrawn courses), it must accurately be listed on your Academic Record form.

How do I list summer courses?

For courses taken during the summer, list the course and associated grade in the preceding school year. For example, if you took a summer course between 9th and 10th grade, you will list the course and grade in the final semester of your 9th grade year on the Self-Reported Academic Record. If the summer course was not part of a semester, trimester or quarter, choose "Single Marking" period as the course length.

How closely does the Generic Course Title (Golden Gopher Application) or Subject (Common App) need to match my course name?

Select the Generic Course Title or Subject that best matches your course name. If you are unsure, select Other.

The Academic Record isn't letting me add accelerated coursework that I took in middle school that counted for high school credit. How do I report those grades since I received high school credit for them?

Please report courses and grades that you took 9th-12th grade only on the Academic Record. When we review high school coursework, we consider the highest level of the subject achieved in high school. For example, if you took French 2 in 9th grade, we understand that you would have taken French 1 previously. We will know that you would have completed previous coursework in order to be at that level.

If I was homeschooled, should I complete the Academic Record form?

Yes, please complete the Academic Record form.

Should I average my course grades on a semester/year basis?

No, do not average your courses. Enter your transcript information exactly as you see it on your transcript.

Self-Reported Academic Record: Test Scores

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Which test scores should I submit?

An ACT/SAT score is not required for your 2021 application to the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. Learn more on our ACT/SAT score information page.

On your application, you will indicate whether you would like an ACT/SAT score considered in the review of your application. Once you submit your application, your decision is final and cannot be amended, with the exception for test access or cancellation circumstances. An applicant who originally indicated the intent to submit a test score, but can no longer take the exam and therefore can not complete their application, can request to change their original answer to this question by completing an amendment form.

International students must submit an English proficiency score. If you would like to use ACT or SAT scores as demonstration of your English proficiency, you must select "Yes" on the application when asked if you would like an ACT/SAT score considered during review of your application. Your ACT/SAT score will be reviewed as an academic factor and as your English proficiency requirement.

Why is the Testing page blank on my Common App PDF preview?

For all applicants, the Testing page on your Common App submission preview PDF will be blank with a small note: "There are no test scores to report." This blank page is intentional to ensure that our application reader team does not see scores from students who do not want an ACT/SAT score reviewed as part of their application.

If you selected "Yes" on your application to indicate that you'd like your ACT/SAT scores included in the review of your application, rest assured that we will still receive the ACT, SAT, or English proficiency scores that you self-reported on your Common App even though they don't appear in your Common App PDF.

Self-Reported Academic Record: International Students

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I am a Common Application user. Where can I find a Common App FAQ page?

Common Application users should complete the Courses and Grades section and enter their test scores in their Testing section. Visit Common Application Applicants Solution Center: Courses & Grades.

How do International Applicants report their coursework and grades using the Self-Reported Academic Record form?

You are required to report your 9th-12th grade courses and grades exactly as they appear on all of your original academic reports, transcripts and any external examination results, such as, but not limited to: IB, IGCSE, O/AS/A-level, HKDSE, SPM, CISCE/CBSE, and WAEC.

Students completing a South Korean curriculum do NOT submit their courses and test scores through the Self-Reported Academic Record form. (See question below about South Korea.)

  • If your transcripts are not issued in English, certified, true line-by-line, literal English translations are required for filling out the self reported Academic Record Form.
  • Do not adjust your grades in any manner. Do not weight grades. Do not average or convert them.
  • If you are in your last year of secondary/high school, you will list your "in-progress" equivalent to US High School 12th grade courses for those that are not yet graded.
  • You may submit your official transcripts online or via mail, but the Self-Reported Academic Record form will still be required. 

EXAMPLE: If you went to school in China and now attend a U.S. high school, you need to report your Chinese school courses and grades with maximum grades (e.g. 30, 50, 70, 100, 120, 150- point grading scales) exactly as they appear on your original Chinese transcript issued by your Chinese school. Report your course names in English; however, you should not report your grades in the A-F grading scale if they appear on your U.S. high school transcripts.

If I am completing or have completed a South Korean curriculum, do I need to submit a Self-Reported Academic Record form?

Do not complete the Self-Reported Academic Record form. However, you must submit a clear and legible scanned copy of the following via our Application Tracker.

  1. 9th-12th grade academic reports, transcripts, and/or examination results (required);
  2. English proficiency test score reports (required); and
  3. ACT and/or SAT score reports (optional)

If you are a current high school senior and your transcript does not include your "in-progress" 12th grade coursework, please create a list of your 12th grade courses in a Word or PDF file format and submit along with your transcripts and English proficiency test score reports.

If my 9th grade year was taken in a middle school or junior high, should I add my middle school/junior high school to my "High Schools Attended" list?

If you attended school outside the United States, yes. Please list all of the schools that you attended in the Self-Reported Academic Record form.

What if my numerical grades include decimal points?

Select Other (includes decimals) under Grade Scale in High Schools Attended section.

Do I need to submit an outside evaluation of my courses?

No. We do our own in-house evaluations of international coursework. See the first question in this international section.

How do I report my external examination results?

Be sure to report all courses, subjects or classes with grades that you took at your secondary school for each year.

  1. Go to Enter Coursework tab
  2. Select the academic year when you took the exam in Enter Coursework section.
  3. Add information in Subject Area, Course/Exam Content, Course/Exam Name, and Proficiency Level.

Select External Exam under Course Length, and then add Grade/Score, Maximum/Highest Grade, and Exam Date.

Instructional videos are also available to help you complete the Self-Reported Academic Record.

How do I report my English proficiency test scores?

Students should report their highest Total or Overall scores and associated Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing subscores from the same test date and testing agency using the Self-Reported Academic Record form. However, students will be given the opportunity to list all of their tests taken. Do not "superscore" your tests.

If you send your official test scores to the University of Minnesota from the testing agency, we will use your official scores in our review of your application.

For more information, visit our English Proficiency Information page.

How do I report my ACT and/or SAT test scores?

ACT and/or SAT test scores are not required for international students, but are highly recommended. Students should report their:

  • highest composite or total scores and
  • associated Writing (ACT) and/or Writing & Language (SAT) scores from the same test date using the self reported Academic Record form.
  • Students will be given the opportunity to list all of their tests taken. For more information, visit our ACT and SAT information for freshman admission page.

If you send your official test scores to the University of Minnesota from the testing agency, we will use your official scores in our review of your application.

As an international student, I took the GED. How do I report my high school courses?

Fill out the Self-Reported Academic Record with all years and courses you took in secondary school. You can submit your international GED results through our Application Tracker.

I cannot find my school, because it is located abroad. What should I do?

  1. When you Add School, select Country (State will disappear), add School Name, and Search.
  2. Press the small button next to "My high school is not on the list below."
    1. Type School Name, School Address, City, State/Province, and Add School

    Self-Reported Academic Record: After Submitting Your Academic Record

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    Once I receive my senior year grades, should I update my Academic Record?

    If you received a defer or waitlist decision:

    We encourage you to update your senior year grades in your Academic Record (click on a Self-Reported Academic Record or SRAR link in your Application Tracker checklist). Your senior year grades will give us additional information about your individual academic progress to review as we make an admission decision.

    If you received an admit decision:

    You do not need to send us updates on your senior grades in the winter or spring. If you confirm your enrollment to the U of M, you will send your final transcript by July 1 after your senior year. We will review it to verify your academic performance.

    However, if your senior year grades decline significantly and you are concerned about your academic progress, you must consult with an admissions counselor at 612-625-2008 or 1-800-752-1000. Unsuccessful completion of senior year coursework and/or a significant decline in academic performance during the senior year may result in the cancellation of admission.

    What if my senior year courses have changed after submitting my Academic Record?

    Changes in senior year coursework may result in a change to the student's college of admission. If you are considering making changes to your senior year courses or if you are concerned about your academic progress in any of your courses, you must consult with your admissions counselor right away at 612-625-2008 or 1-800-752-1000.

    How will my Academic Record be reviewed?

    Your academic record and your application form will go through an individual holistic review by our admissions team (no automatic formulas are used). Each University of Minnesota Twin Cities admission application is carefully reviewed and admission is based on an overall assessment of the applicant's academic and context factors. A complete list of these factors is included below.

    Holistic Review

    Academic Factors

    Because the greatest predictor of college success is academic preparation, the strongest consideration in the decision is given to a student's high school record. Our promise to you is that we will look at the overall trend of your high school performance to understand your academic preparation. The following academic factors are considered:

    • Coursework through high school graduation (Admitted students typically exceed the University's high school requirements. See course requirements.)
    • Grades in academic coursework
    • Class rank/Grade point average (if available)
    • Rigor of academic curriculum based on what is available in the high school (including enrollment in honors, AP, IB, A-Level, or college-level courses when available.)
    • ACT or SAT scores (Submitting an ACT/SAT score is not required on applications for the 2023, 2024, and 2025 terms. All students*, whether or not they submit a test score, will receive full consideration for admission, scholarships, and the University Honors Program. For more information, please visit our ACT/SAT FAQ
    • English Proficiency test score (when required)
    • Applicant's academic interests (We review a student's academic preparation related to the major/college for which they are seeking admission.)

    Context Factors

    Individual circumstances are also considered as part of the overall assessment of each application. Enrolling a diverse student body—with students bringing differing experiences, talents, and perspectives to their scholarly community—is essential to achieving the learning and development outcomes of a University of Minnesota education. 

    Our holistic review takes into consideration the individual circumstances that make each individual student unique. While we do not consider an applicant's race and ethnicity, we consider the following context factors in our decision review:

    • Evidence of exceptional achievement, aptitude, or personal accomplishment not reflected in the academic record
    • Participation in extracurricular activities related to your intended major
    • Strong commitment to community service, leadership, and educational involvement
    • Evidence of having overcome social, economic, or physical barriers to educational achievement
    • First-generation college student
    • Significant responsibility in a family, community, job, or activity
    • Contribution to the cultural, gender, age, economic, or geographic diversity of the student body
    • Personal or extenuating circumstances
    • Military service
    • Information received in open-ended questions

    What happens if I made a mistake or typo?

    If you notice a typo after you've submitted your Academic Record, you can log back into your form and make edits. When you are finished editing, you must submit the form again. This will generate an updated version for us to review.

    • If you applied using the Golden Gopher Application, use your same log-in credentials from your application.
    • If you applied using The Common Application, you will make changes to your courses and grades at z.umn.edu/AcademicRecord (you will not make changes within Common App).

    How will you verify that my grades and scores are correct?

    If you are admitted to the University of Minnesota Twin Cities and confirm your enrollment, you must submit by July 1:

    • an official final high school transcript that lists your graduation date, and
    • official ACT/SAT scores (only if you chose to have an ACT/SAT score considered in the review of your application) and official English proficiency scores (if applicable) from the testing agency

    We will compare your official transcript and test scores against your Self-Reported Academic Record.

    If we find any discrepancies, we will follow our Verification of Self-Reported Academic Record Policy. The University of Minnesota has the right to cancel enrollment for any students who misrepresented their academic record.