Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Requesting Transcripts and Letters of Recommendation FAQs



So exciting to hear how many of you are applying for college admissions at this time of year! The application process brings up a number of questions. Some of the answers you are looking for are listed below, including information about how to request transcripts, letters of recommendation, and assistance with college applications. 

Requesting an official High School Transcript
Your official transcript includes all of your high school classes, FSCJ classes, weighted GPA, unweighted GPA, class rank (when available), and test scores (PERT, ACT, SAT, FCAT). Official transcripts should be requested through the REL Records Department. The request form is available on the REL411 website, in the REL Main Office, or here. It takes 48 hours to process the requests. Student may request up to five (5) transcripts for free. There is a fee for additional transcripts. Official transcripts can be picked up by the student or parent, can be mailed, and can be transmitted via FASTER, but can never be sent via email by school personnel.
Note: Transcripts only update three times per year – beginning of August, end of January, and middle of June. This means there is no change in the numbers, credits, GPAs between updates.

Requesting an FSCJ Transcript
FSCJ transcripts can be requested through your Connections account. You must pay the one-time $25 fee to the FSCJ Business Office to release the transcript. The FSCJ transcript will include only FSCJ courses and your FSCJ GPA.

Requesting a Letter of Recommendation
Most colleges require a letter of recommendation from your school counselor. Students can email a request, request one in person, or drop off a recommendation form during Counselors' Office Hours.  If you would like for your recommendation letter to include information about your community service projects and/or extra-curricular activities, you will need to provide a resume of your activities to your counselor at the time of the request. It takes 48 hours to process a request for a recommendation letter.
Counselors' Office Hours:
Students who take classes at REL - Open office hours are during the student's lunch break
Students who take classes at FSCJ - Open office hours are Tuesdays-Fridays 2:15-2:45 in rm. 828

What if I need help with my college applications?
Good news! The REL School Counselors will be available to assist students with college and scholarship applications November 20th 8:30-1:30 at REL. Students can sign up for the help session through the following link: http://goo.gl/forms/8r46x2Wb5h