What to include for each course
- Course title, grade level, credits and level (Regular, Honors, AP, Dual Enrollment), matching the transcript.
- A short paragraph on what the course covered and its goals.
- Main texts, curriculum or online provider, plus notable books read.
- Major assignments: papers, projects, labs, presentations.
- How the grade was decided, for example tests 50%, papers 30%, participation 20%.
- Approximate hours, if you count credits by hours.
Example: Biology with Lab (1 credit, grade 9)
An introductory biology course covering cells, genetics, evolution, ecology and human body systems. The student completed a full high school biology textbook with 18 hands-on labs, including microscope work and a dissection, and kept a lab notebook with written reports. Grade based on chapter tests (50%), lab reports (30%) and a final exam (20%). About 160 hours.
Example: American Literature, Honors (1 credit, grade 11)
A survey of American literature from the colonial period to the 20th century. Readings included The Scarlet Letter, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Great Gatsby and Their Eyes Were Watching God, plus poetry and essays. Honors level: eight analytical essays (1,000 to 1,500 words each), one research paper with citations, and weekly discussion with a parent. Grade based on essays (60%), research paper (25%) and discussion (15%).
Tips
- Write them as you go, at the end of each course, while the details are fresh.
- Keep each description to one short paragraph plus a book list.
- Use the same course titles as the transcript, so a reader can match them.
- Be specific and factual. Concrete details are more convincing than adjectives.
Course descriptions in TranscriptKit Pro
Pro will add a separate printable course descriptions document that pulls titles, levels and credits from your transcript, with starter templates for common courses. Pro launches mid-November; early waitlist members get it for $19 lifetime (first 200).