Frequently Asked Questions about Transcripts, Recommendation Letters, and College Applications

So exciting to hear about 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 your questions and the answers you are looking for are listed below. If you still have questions after reading this information, contact your school counselor for more information. 

Requesting an Official High School Transcript

Official transcripts should be requested through the REL Records Department. The request form is available here, on the REL411 website, and in the REL Main Office. It takes 48 hours to process the requests. Your official transcript includes all of your high school classes, dual-enrollment classes, weighted GPA, unweighted GPA, class rank (when available), and test scores (PERT, ACT, SAT, FSA). Current students 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.

Requesting an FSCJ, EWC, and Embry-Riddle Transcripts

FSCJ, EWC, and Embry-Riddle transcripts can be requested through your account with those colleges. The college transcript will include only college courses and your college GPA.

Note: Students requesting FSCJ transcripts must pay the one-time $25 fee to the FSCJ Business Office to release the transcripts. EWC and Embry-Riddle may also have fees to release transcripts. Contact the these schools for more information. 

Requesting an Academic History

Your Academic History lists all of your high school classes, dual enrollment classes, weighted and unweighted GPAs. There is no fee for the Academic History. These documents can be picked up from your counselor during Open Office Hours or during your Academic Conference. Academic Histories can be picked up by the student or parent. They are not mailed (except at the end of the school year) and cannot be emailed or faxed by school personnel. Students can also view a list of their completed courses through the grade portal under Course History.

Note: Transcripts officially update three times per year – beginning of August, end of January, and middle of June. 

Requesting a Letter of Recommendation

Most colleges require a letter of recommendation from your school counselor.

• If there is an electronic form for a counselor to complete, please make sure you enter your enter your counselor's name and contact information correctly.
• If you would like a hard copy of a letter, you can send a request to your counselor via email.
• If you need a Recommendation Form filled out, you can leave it with your counselor during open 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.

It takes up to 48 hours to process requests for recommendation letters.

When should I work on college applications?
NOW, if you are a Senior! College applications should be completed as soon as possible once the college releases them for completion. Colleges use a "rolling admissions process" or a "submission deadline". 

• Rolling admissions means the college reviews and accepts students as they receive the applications until their seats are full. This also means the college can cut-off accepting applications without advance notice. 
• Submission deadlines means all applications are reviewed at one time, right after the posted deadline. It also often means no documents/applications will be accepted after the deadline. 

Review the college's website for more information about process, dates, and deadlines.

Requesting admission as a first-time college student or transfer student?

You should complete your college applications as a first-time college student with dual enrollment courses, if you have taken any dual enrollment courses in high school. If you earn your AA degree while in high school, you will present the degree to your college the summer after graduation. The college will then allow you to register for upper-level courses at their discretion.

Do I qualify for a college application fee waiver?
Students can earn college application fee waivers by utilizing the SAT or ACT test fee waivers (check your test registration account), participating in programs such as Upward Bound (see your program advisor), and attending events such as NACAC (check the NACAC website). 

When should I complete Financial Aid forms?

Students should complete financial aid forms when provided directions by the college (usually after an admission decision is awarded). You can learn more about Financial Aid timelines and forms at Financial Aid Information Nights at REL. Dates for these sessions will be posted on the REL411 website as they become available.  

What if I need help with my college applications?

Good news! The REL School Counselors will be available to assist students with college applications the fourth Friday of every month at REL. Students can sign up for the help session through the following link: http://goo.gl/forms/8r46x2Wb5h