The Secondary School Report – What Do Admissions Officers Look For?

Admission committees utilize various resources to comprehensively evaluate an applicant, extending beyond the materials submitted directly by the student. One important resource is the Secondary School Report (SSR), and it’s helpful for students and parents to understand its role in the admission process. 

The Secondary School Report (SSR) is a form completed and submitted by school counselors. While the School Profile provides colleges with an overview of a school’s curriculum and rigor, grading and ranking procedures, testing averages, college attendance history, and more, the information provided within the SSR is specific to the individual student, entailing details of their academic performance within the context of their high school. 

A Letter of Recommendation, which is submitted alongside the SSR, delivers written insight into a student’s strengths and character, while the SSR provides a “quick overview” of a student. Key sections of the initial SSR include: 

• Class Rank or Percentile and the number of students who share that same Rank or Percentile.
• The exact number of students within the Graduating Class 
• Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA), (Weighted and Unweighted), and Grading Scale
• Percentage of students attending a 4- and 2-year institution immediately post-graduation 
• Duration of time in which the school counselor has known the student
• Ratings Chart determining Academic Achievement, Extracurricular Accomplishments, and Personal Qualities and Character
• School Profile 

Additionally, the SSR is submitted along with a student’s official high school transcript, including courses and grades from 9^th to 11^th grade, and other supporting materials during the application process. 

How the Information is Used – 

The SSR serves as a heuristic tool, providing context for an applicant’s academic background. It helps to interpret the transcript, shedding light on the student’s educational environment and journey. 

It’s important to note that each applicant is initially assessed within the context of their school before they are evaluated against the broader applicant pool. Colleges consider the rigor of courses available to a student and the extent to which they challenged themselves while in high school. When multiple students from the same high school apply to a college, they will be evaluated in relation to peers who had access to similar curriculum and rigor. Furthermore, each applicant is evaluated alongside the larger applicant pool to determine preparedness. 

Still, while the SSR provides vital context, the depth of information and insight available in the more personal aspects of the application, such as essays and letters of recommendation, are pivotal for holistic evaluation of an applicant. 

MID-YEAR REPORT

In continuation of a student’s application process, colleges require a mid-year report to be submitted on behalf of the applicant. This form, similar in format to the SSR, aims to inform colleges about a student’s progress during senior year. The report is completed by school counselors in January, or shortly after first-semester or first-trimester grades become available. Admission officers will review for the following:

• Academic Profile – Has the student’s academic profile remained consistent or improved since submitting the initial application and transcript
• Progression – Have there been any changes in progression since the student submitted their application 
• Good Standing – Is the student in good academic and social standing within their school community 

For students accepted to their early college, whether they applied Early Decision or Early Action, the mid-year report will reflect the student’s continued preparedness for college. For students who applied Regular Decision, or were deferred to Regular Decision from the early round, colleges will use the mid-year report to gain any new information about the student, including academic progression. 

FINAL SECONDARY SCHOOL REPORT – 

The Final Secondary School Report, along with the final transcript, represents the culmination of a student’s high school career, confirming the successful completion of all graduation requirements. This information is sent solely to the college where the student has decided to enroll. 

Understanding that all college acceptances are contingent upon the successful completion of the academic profile presented in a student’s application, including senior courses, it’s important to note that colleges can rescind an acceptance offer if a student fails to uphold their end of the agreement. It’s important for seniors to remain engaged and consistent throughout their final year. 

CONCLUSIVE ADVICE – When signing the FERPA agreement, which is a required step when applying to college, students waive their right to access all documents linked to letters of recommendation. So, although students aren’t permitted to review the SSR and letters of recommendation, they can still take proactive steps to ensure their supportive documents accurately reflect their strengths. It’s important that students actively engage with their school counselor to foster a strong relationship. This rapport enables counselors to better understand a student’s abilities, character, goals, and more. Building such a relationship empowers counselors to effectively advocate for students, potentially resulting in favorable admission outcomes.

Originally published in May 2021, Reviewed and updated by an Admissions Consultant in Nov 2024