Some Notes on How to Fill out the SSAR
More schools than ever in the State University System of Florida are requesting the SSAR (Self-reported Student Academic Record) in lieu of an official transcript as part of the application. This self-reporting process is fairly straightforward: Students create an account with SSAR and, using a copy of their transcript, enter courses, schedules, grades, and course weighting (AP, Honors, etc.). Following submission of a college application, students will link the SSAR to their applications, typically through their applicant portals − or as part of the application itself, depending on the university. Currently, seven SUS schools require the SSAR: FAU, FGCU, FL Poly, FSU, New College, UF, and UNF.
These seven institutions adhere to the same general SSAR requirements: All high school courses, including those taken in middle school and dual-enrollment classes, must be entered on the SSAR, and all attempts and grades must be recorded. Upon admittance and formally agreeing to enroll, students must submit to the school they are planning to attend an official copy of their final high school transcript and any dual-enrollment transcripts. The language is unambiguous: If a college finds any discrepancies between the SSAR and official transcript, the admission decision is subject to revocation. Clearly, students must report their grades accurately and follow all policies set forth by the university. Check with admission websites for the most updated information.
There are a few minor (but important) differences among schools using the SSAR. UF, for instance, instructs students not to submit first-semester senior grades, noting that they won’t accept any changes to the SSAR after its December 1 deadline. FGCU uses similar language, stating that first semester grades are generally not considered in the application review since they might not be available. FSU, on the other hand, asks students who are offered admission or deferred in their January notification, and those students who will receive a March decision, to update the SSAR with first semester (mid-year) grades. As always, consult the admission website, or visit one of these FAQ pages for further instruction:
FGCU: https://www.fgcu.edu/admissionsandaid/undergraduateadmissions/ssar
FL Poly: https://floridapoly.edu/admissions/undergraduate/apply/
New College: https://www.ncf.edu/admissions/apply-to-new-college/first-year-students/
Finally, it’s important that students review their transcripts for accuracy before creating the SSAR or requesting that an official transcript be sent to a college. It is not uncommon for transcripts to have errors, and these must be corrected by a guidance counselor before they are used for an application.
