Self-reported Transcript and Academic Record System (STARS)
What is the STARS Record and how do I complete it?
Self-reported Transcript and Academic Record System (STARS) is a self-reported student academic record that allows students to self-report their high school courses and grades to Florida State University, rather than having school counselors send transcripts for each student. All students attending a U.S. based school are required to complete the STARS Record.
It is important that you report grades exactly as they appear on your high school transcript. We suggest that you have a copy of your high school transcript on hand when completing this task. Your school counselor can provide a copy of your transcript. We encourage you to adhere to the following guidelines when entering coursework in the STARS Record.
DO
- Enter your grades exactly as they appear on your high school transcript.
- Lists all courses and associated grades that have been attempted, or will be attempted, for high school and/or college credit.
- Enter your grades for all courses completed in grades 9 through 12. If you have not yet received your grades, please list your courses as 'In-Progress.'
DO NOT
- Do not apply weight to your grades.
- Do not convert your grades into another format.
- Do not average your grades.
How do I enter my grades on the STARS Record?
Please list your grades exactly as they appear on your transcript.
Do I need to include high school courses that I took while I was in middle school/junior high school?
Every academic course attempted for high school credit while in middle school must be listed on the STARS Record. If you took high school level courses (e.g., Algebra 1, Spanish 1) in middle school (grades 6, 7, or 8), please list them under your high school and select "Middle School" for the "Academic Level". Unless courses were taken for high school credit, you do not need to include middle school courses on the STARS Record.
How do I list my college (dual enrollment) courses and grades?
List your college grades exactly as they appear on your transcript. If your course is one credit in high school, list your credit/units as 1.0. If your course is 1/2 credit, list your credit/units as 0.5.
How do I report my senior coursework?
Please record all current and scheduled senior year coursework on the STARS Record. Since we encourage applicants to apply early in their senior year, you should enter the grades for your senior coursework as "In Progress" if you have not yet earned a final grade.
Do I report all the classes taken and grades earned that are on my transcript?
All attempted coursework must be listed on the STARS Record. If you repeated a course, you must record both attempts. If you withdrew from a class before earning a grade, you must list the course and record the grade as withdrawn. The same is true for courses that you earned a grade of Pass or Fail.
What if I repeated or withdrew from one or more of my courses, or I took a course for Pass/Fail?
You must list all attempts on your STARS including repeats and withdrawals. The same is true for courses in which you earned a grade of Pass or Fail. Your STARS must match exactly what is on your high school transcript.
I am currently attending an international school. Do I complete the STARS Record?
Please complete the International School Form located on your Application Status Check to determine if you will need to complete the STARS Record.
How do I select the Grade Scale for my school?
When entering your high school information, you will be able to select the school grading scale.
Letter Grades
Letter grades are typically presented as 'A+', 'A', 'A-', 'B+', 'B', 'B-', and so forth.
Number Grades
Number grades are typically based on a whole-number scale from 0 to 100. If your school uses numbers with decimals (i.e. 89.5), select 'Decimal Grades'.
Letters and Numbers
Choose this option if your school uses a combination of letters and numbers in its grading system.
Decimal Grades
If your school provides numeric grades with decimals (i.e. 89.5), select this option.
Other
Select this option if this school uses a non-standard or international grading system (i.e. Pass/Fail).
How do I update my STARS?
To update your STARS, navigate to your Application Status Check and select Update Your STARS. While on the STARS Record website, first select Continue to STARS and then select Continue to navigate to the Record Complete page. Under Action Items, select Make changes to your STARS. Select OK to begin making changes to your STARS.
Once you have updated your STARS, select the Review/Submit button located at the top right of your screen. Verify that all your information is correct and press the "Submit" button at the bottom of the "Review/Submit" section of the STARS website. Once you click the "Submit" button, your STARS will lock. If you do not re-lock your STARS, your information will not be sent to Florida State.
My application was deferred. How do I update my STARS to reflect first semester grades if my courses are entered as full year courses?
If your first semester grades are available and the in-progress coursework on your STARS is set to "Full Year" Course Length, you should change it to "Semester" Course Length.
To make the update, navigate to your senior year courses on the STARS Record and select "Add Course." Add courses with the same values as the original courses but set the new Course Length to "Semester." Add your grade to the first semester and leave the second semester set to "In Progress." Select "Add Course" to complete.
Once the new course is added, delete the original Full Year course by checking the box on the course that was replaced and clicking the "Remove Selected" button. Repeat this for all senior year courses with first semester grades updated.
Which Course Level should I select?
Options for course levels (e.g. Regular, Honors, AP) are provided to assist in selecting a level that closely matches designations made on your high school transcript.
Which Course Length should I select?
Select the Course Length that best represents how long you took the course and how the school issues final grades (one final grade, semester grades, trimester grades, etc.).
If your school provides one final grade at the end of the school year, then select Full Year when reporting grades. If your school lists two final grades, then pick Semester and so forth.
For more information on selecting a course length, we recommend reviewing the following STARS Help Article: How To Select A Course Length.
Semester grades:
A semester system divides the academic year into two sessions: fall and spring.
Final grades:
If your school provides one final grade at the end of the school year, then select Full Year when reporting grades.
Both semester grades and final grades:
Use the final grade, then select Full Year when reporting grades.
Both trimester grades and final grades:
Use the final grade, then select Full Year when reporting grades.
Trimester grades:
A trimester system divides the academic year into three sessions: fall, winter, and spring.
Block scheduling:
You are completing a yearlong course (one credit) in one semester and a semester-long course (half credit) in nine weeks.
Quarter grades:
A quarter system divides the academic year into four quarters; meaning four grades are awarded for a full year class.
What is the Self-reported Transcript and Academic Record System (STARS)?
STARS is a Self-reported Transcript and Academic Record System that lists all courses and associated grades that have been attempted, or will be attempted, for high school and/or college credit. Since accuracy is critical, you must have a copy of your high school transcript available to use as a reference when you create your STARS. Be sure to indicate any courses taken through an online school.
Who is required to complete the STARS Record?
All first-year applicants must complete a STARS, with the following exceptions:
- Applicants who have not followed an academic curriculum patterned after the U.S. system - must submit official or certified copies of all secondary school records and/or examination results. This includes students who have attended an institution not patterned after the U.S. system for any length of time. All academic records not in English must be accompanied by a certified English translation. In addition, these credentials must be evaluated by a credential evaluation agency. We recommend a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services or International Education Credential Services provided by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers.
- GED graduates - students must submit their official GED transcript, along with official partial high school transcript(s).
Where do I create my STARS?
You may create an account on the STARS Record website. After submitting your application, you must link your Self-Reported Student Academic Record through your Application Status Check. Please allow one to two business days after linking for the checklist item to be satisfied.
When do I complete the STARS Record?
We recommend that you complete the STARS Record before submitting your application for admission. Your application for admission will not be reviewed until your application fee, STARS, and self-reported test scores have been received.
How do I link my STARS to Florida State?
After submitting your application, you must link your Self-Reported Student Academic Record through your Application Status Check. Please allow one to two business days after linking for the checklist item to be satisfied.
Do home-educated students complete the STARS Record?
Yes, if they have followed an academic curriculum patterned after the traditional U.S. system. If the curriculum followed cannot be represented on the STARS Record, we ask that you contact the Office of Admissions at admissions@fsu.edu or call 850.644.6200 for further instruction.
What if I have graduated from High School?
Yes, you will complete the STARS Record. Students that have graduated high school will list all of their coursework and all final grades on the STARS Record.
What if I can't find my high school listed on the STARS Record website?
the STARS Record website uses a database of names from College Board which may vary slightly from the everyday name of your school. When searching for your school, try to use variants of the official school name. For example, if you attended T.C. Central High School, enter "Central" in the search 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 admissions@fsu.edu or call 850.644.6200.
How do I re-lock my STARS?
To re-lock your Self-reported Transcript and Academic Record System (STARS), press the "Submit" button at the bottom of the "Review/Submit" section of the STARS website. Once you click the "Submit" button, your STARS will lock. If you do not re-lock your STARS, your information will not be sent to Florida State.
What will happen if I do not complete the STARS Record?
All first-year applicants (excluding the exceptions) must complete the STARS Record. If you are unable to complete the STARS Record, you must contact the Office of Admissions at admissions@fsu.edu or call 850.644.6200.
Can my STARS be used by multiple colleges/universities?
Florida State University, the University of Florida, Florida Atlantic University, and Florida Polytechnic University require the STARS Record. Once you complete your STARS, you must check with each institution on how to provide them with access to your data.
For Florida State, link your Self-reported Transcript and Academic Record System through your Application Status Check. Please allow one to two business days after linking for the checklist item to be satisfied.
How do I update my STARS?
To update your STARS navigate to your Application Status Check and select Update Your STARS. While on the STARS Record website, first select Continue to STARS and then select Continue to navigate to the Record Complete page. Under Action Items, select Make changes to your STARS. Select OK to begin making changes to your STARS.
Once you have updated your STARS, select the Review/Submit button located at the top right of your screen. Verify that all your information is correct and press the "Submit" button at the bottom of the "Review/Submit" section of the STARS website. Once you click the "Submit" button, your STARS will lock. If you do not re-lock your STARS, your information will not be sent to Florida State.
My application was deferred. How do I update my STARS to reflect first semester grades if my courses are entered as full year courses?
If your first semester grades are available and the in-progress coursework on your STARS is set to "Full Year" Course Length, you should change it to "Semester" Course Length.
To make the update, navigate to your senior year courses on the STARS Record and select "Add Course." Add courses with the same values as the original courses but set the new Course Length to "Semester." Add your grade to the first semester and leave the second semester set to "In Progress." Select "Add Course" to complete.
Once the new course is added, delete the original Full Year course by checking the box on the course that was replaced and clicking the "Remove Selected" button. Repeat this for all senior year courses with first semester grades updated.
What if my senior schedule changes?
If your schedule changes, you must immediately update your STARS. To make changes to the STARS Record, simply log in to the STARS Record website with the email address and password used to create your original STARS. Additionally, if you are an accepted student considering a senior schedule changes please contact the admissions office before making a schedule change since it may negatively impact your acceptance to the university.
What if I am taking courses in the summer?
You will record the course and grade in the preceding school year. For example, if you took a course between the 9th and 10th grades, you would enter the course in the 9th grade.
Can I change the STARS Record once it is completed and I receive my STARS ID Number?
Yes. We want your STARS to be as accurate as possible. If you have corrections or your schedule changes, we encourage you to update your STARS. To make changes, log in to the Application Status Check and select Update Your STARS located in the Self-Reported Student Academic Record section. After you have made your updates, you must press the "Submit" button at the bottom of the "Review/Submit" section of the STARS Record.
Do I have to submit my first semester grades in the senior year?
All students who are offered admission or deferred must update the STARS Record with first semester grades when those grades become available. You will log in to the STARS Record website with the email address and password used to create your original STARS and enter your first semester (mid-year) grades.
Do I have to submit my final senior grades?
All admitted students are required to update the STARS Record with their final senior grades. You will log in to the STARS Record website with the email address and password used to create your original STARS. All admitted students who choose to enroll at Florida State are also required to submit final official high school and college dual enrollment transcripts, so that the grades entered on their STARS can be verified.
What if I am unsure about the dual enrollment classes that I will be taking during the second semester of my senior year?
Provide the best estimation of the courses you will be taking when completing the STARS Record. If your schedule changes, you must update the STARS Record. If you are unable to update the STARS Record, you must be in contact with the Office of Admissions at admissions@fsu.edu or call 850.644.6200. If the correct information is not listed on your STARS when we validate your courses 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.
When do I send my official high school and college (if dual enrolled) transcripts?
Only applicants offered admission who plan to enroll at Florida State are required to submit official high school and college transcripts after graduation. These transcripts will be used to validate the information on the STARS Record. Students with inaccurate data on the STARS Record may be denied admission to the University, have their admission revoked, or have their registration cancelled if enrolled.