Ok....another dumb question for college applications....transcript/course descriptions for planned vs. IP courses

[8filltheheart]

With my older kids it was obvious that we should include IP courses on the transcript. But, what about courses that will be taken 2nd semester sr yr vs. IP during the first? And if we include them as planned, should we include course descriptions?

 

For example, ds will be taking modern physics and linear alg first semester. 2nd semester he is taking (I can't remember, but something like quantum physics or something....he isn't here, so I can't ask) and diffEQ 2.

 

I normally put IP in the 12th grade column. Should I put a different acronym to indicate 2nd semester courses that will be taken that are different from 1st semester or perhaps divide my 12th grade column into 1st/2nd semester courses to make it clearer?

 

Thanks!

[Melissa B]

I'm likely asking another dumb question here - what is an IP course?

[8filltheheart]

Not a dumb question! In Progress. My other kids either didn't apply to schools that wanted so much information or they were only taking typical full yr high school courses. I am wondering about how (or if we even bother) to identify courses that will be taken 2nd semester since students apply during 1st semester (hence the courses that are IP).

[regentrude]

With my older kids it was obvious that we should include IP courses on the transcript. But, what about courses that will be taken 2nd semester sr yr vs. IP during the first? And if we include them as planned, should we include course descriptions?

 

For example, ds will be taking modern physics and linear alg first semester. 2nd semester he is taking (I can't remember, but something like quantum physics or something....he isn't here, so I can't ask) and diffEQ 2.

 

I normally put IP in the 12th grade column. Should I put a different acronym to indicate 2nd semester courses that will be taken that are different from 1st semester or perhaps divide my 12th grade column into 1st/2nd semester courses to make it clearer?

 

This is what I am planning to do: any course I know my DD will be taking during senior year I put on the transcript in the 12th grade column with a symbol X where I would list the grade for a completed course, and in the key I list "X denotes a course in progress or a planned course".

You could use two different symbols for courses in progress and planned courses.

Since you will probably indicate that this is a dual enrollment course, it would be clear to whoever sees the transcript that these are semester courses and some are taken in fall when the transcript is submitted, some will be taken the coming spring.

 

ETA: Since colleges want to evaluate the rigor of the planned senior year work, I would most definitely include anything planned for the spring semester!

 

If I know that I will have a course in a certain subject area (for example, a 0.5 credit history course of some kind), but am not sure of the title yet, I will list it with a place holder for the course title "tba", indicate X in the grade column, and the planned number of credits.

 

As for course descriptions: I will probably include the in progress courses in the course descriptions, but keep it fairly short.

[EKS]

When my son applied to a private school, I put the courses he was currently taking with the number of credits in parentheses (1.0) and (IP) in the grade column. I then defined "IP" as "in progress."

 

I've actually seen this done on a real transcript from a real school, FWIW.

[Julie in MN]

My transcript had semester columns (used HSLDA template), so it was easy to put IP in either or both.

 

I might leave off IP courses just to allow wiggle room for changed minds etc. But for purposes of college admission, you might want the colleges to see where he's heading during the year in important areas so then I'd list all the 2nd semester courses and if they aren't even started yet (and thus not in progress), put another symbol like (2) and a note at the bottom as to what that means, right under the note that tells what (IP) represents on your transcript.

 

Julie

[Candid]

For second semester courses that aren't even begun, I'd at least mark them as not starting until January. I'd not want a class to totally disappear without some warning that you hadn't started it. Suppose the professor teaching it is taken ill and can't give it or your student is closed out of it. So I might put it but use a footnote to indicate that you aren't even officially enrolled in it yet.

[Sunshine State Sue]

This is what I am planning to do: any course I know my DD will be taking during senior year I put on the transcript in the 12th grade column with a symbol X where I would list the grade for a completed course, and in the key I list "X denotes a course in progress or a planned course".

You could use two different symbols for courses in progress and planned courses.

Since you will probably indicate that this is a dual enrollment course, it would be clear to whoever sees the transcript that these are semester courses and some are taken in fall when the transcript is submitted, some will be taken the coming spring.

 

ETA: Since colleges want to evaluate the rigor of the planned senior year work, I would most definitely include anything planned for the spring semester!

 

I use X and have a note that X indicates a current or future class. Shoot, even half way through 11th grade, I show planned 12th grade classes. I change them as new information/situations come up.