High school info nixed from Duke student transcripts

By Lucinda Fickel

The Chronicle (Duke U.)

DURHAM, N.C. (U-WIRE) - In the interest of accuracy and representing the Duke experience, the registrar removed standardized scores.

Duke students with less-than-stellar SAT scores will no longer be reminded of them when requesting a transcript from the registrar's office. After the implementation of the Student Information Services and Systems, the option of listing test scores, along with other high school and personal information formerly appearing on transcripts, has been phased out.

Although test scores are required for many internship and fellowship applications and are used by some companies in their hiring procedures, officials from the registrar's office felt that the information was not pertinent to a student's University record.

"A Duke transcript should reflect Duke activities, Duke grades, and the Duke record," said University Registrar Bruce Cunningham, adding that some people were also concerned about accuracy of that data.

"The Duke record is really what we can verify and certify as 100

percent accurate. With SAT scores, we're not always sure if we have the latest test results or if all tests were reported."

Though the registrar will still certify student test scores apart

from the transcript upon request, some students said the lack of test scores on the transcript itself will be an inconvenience when they complete internship applications.

"I think it should be optional to include that information," said junior Nipun Chhabra. "When I was applying for summer research fellowships, some of them specifically asked for SAT scores, and it was nice to have the option of having them on the transcript."

Underclassmen with shorter academic histories may miss the information more than their older counterparts.

"If an internship is geared to freshmen and sophomores, they will likely ask for test scores," said junior Emil Avanes. "Your freshman transcript is nearly blank, and it would be helpful if you could show more than one semester's grades when applying for internships for the summer after freshman year. By senior year, it doesn't seem necessary because you have all the grades to show your progress."

Yet, other students did not seem to mind the change and supported the registrar's decision.

"Personally, I'd rather them not have that information," said senior Heather Ross. "It just doesn't seem relevant."

And even Avanes admitted that the change is not a devastating

development. "If it's required, students should just be aware of that and submit the scores themselves," he said.

15.) SATs, other high school info axed from Duke transcripts (Duke U.)

By Lucinda Fickel

The Chronicle (Duke U.)

09/05/2000

(U-WIRE) DURHAM, N.C. - In the interest of accuracy and representing the Duke experience, the registrar removed standardized scores.

Duke students with less-than-stellar SAT scores will no longer be

reminded of them when requesting a transcript from the registrar's office. After the implementation of the Student Information Services and Systems, the option of listing test scores, along with other high school and personal information formerly appearing on transcripts, has been phased out.

Although test scores are required for many internship and fellowship applications and are used by some companies in their hiring procedures, officials from the registrar's office felt that the information was not pertinent to a student's University record.

"A Duke transcript should reflect Duke activities, Duke grades, and the Duke record," said University Registrar Bruce Cunningham, adding that some people were also concerned about accuracy of that data.

"The Duke record is really what we can verify and certify as 100

percent accurate. With SAT scores, we're not always sure if we have the latest test results or if all tests were reported."

Though the registrar will still certify student test scores apart

from the transcript upon request, some students said the lack of test scores on the transcript itself will be an inconvenience when they complete internship applications.

"I think it should be optional to include that information," said junior Nipun Chhabra. "When I was applying for summer research fellowships, some of them specifically asked for SAT scores, and it was nice to have the option of having them on the transcript."

Underclassmen with shorter academic histories may miss the information more than their older counterparts.

"If an internship is geared to freshmen and sophomores, they will likely ask for test scores," said junior Emil Avanes. "Your freshman transcript is nearly blank, and it would be helpful if you could show more than one semester's grades when applying for internships for the summer after freshman year. By senior year, it doesn't seem necessary because you have all the grades to show your progress."

Yet, other students did not seem to mind the change and supported the registrar's decision.

"Personally, I'd rather them not have that information," said senior Heather Ross. "It just doesn't seem relevant."

And even Avanes admitted that the change is not a devastating

development. "If it's required, students should just be aware of that and submit the scores themselves," he said.