Unofficial Transcripts Now Available Online

Students can now download an unofficial version of their academic transcript to send to summer internship or graduate school programs.

Each student can now access their unofficial transcript under the Campus Resources tab on the my.harvard website, according to FAS Registrar Michael P. Burke. The document, which can be downloaded as a PDF file, looks just like a student’s official transcript, but does not have Burke’s signature. Unlike the online student record that is also available under the Campus Resources tab, the new unofficial transcripts will list full course titles instead of abbreviations.

Udai Bothra ’16 said that having access to transcripts online would save students time when going through application processes, especially since most students request one by the end of their sophomore year.

“It’s a good idea,” Bothra said. “It will just be a lot more convenient.”

Before this change, students seeking transcripts had to order an official copy from the FAS Registrar. The Office of Career Services said that students often resorted to using the online student record file when applying to summer internship or fellowship programs.

“The issue is that [this student record] is not really designed for the outside world,” Burke said. “People wouldn’t see the course titles, and they saw all this code about whether you’re meeting your requirements.”

While the online student record contains symbols unrecognizable to individuals outside the University, the unofficial transcript clearly indicates how many courses have been passed.

The move to make unofficial transcripts available online was prompted by students from the Undergraduate Council and Graduate Student Council, who suggested the idea to Burke when he was first appointed as FAS Registrar in Jan. 2011. Since his appointment, Burke has said that improving online services would be a priority.

“This is a great example of collaboration between the administration and student advocates,” said UC Education Committee Chair Darragh Nolan ’15.

Though the new feature was officially released early this month, Burke said that the Registrar did not immediately announce the news to the student body so that they could first ensure its functionality.

Though no formal announcement has been made, Burke said 652 students have already accessed their online unofficial transcript since it was launched.

—Staff writer Madeline R. Conway can be reached at mconway@college.harvard.edu. Follow her on Twitter @MadelineRConway.

—Staff writer Michelle Denise L. Ferreol can be reached at mferreol@college.harvard.edu. Follow her on Twitter @michiferreol.