Demystifying STARS: What You Need to Know

Updated April 27, 2026

If you’re gearing up for the college application hustle, you might’ve already heard the term STARS (formerly SRAR/SSAR) being thrown around as yet another piece of data you need to collect and enter. Or maybe you haven’t! Either way, we’re glad to have you here.

But do you know what it really is? It’s the Self-Reported Transcript and Academic Record System — which used to be the Self-Reported Academic Record (SRAR) or the Self-Reported Student Academic Record (SSAR)  — and it’s here to make your application process a whole lot smoother, even if it doesn’t initially seem like it.

Let’s explore what STARS is, why it’s important, who requires it, and how you’ll complete it when the time comes.

What Is the STARS?

The Self-Reported Transcript and Academic Record System (STARS) provides a comprehensive list of courses and corresponding grades you have been — or will be attempting — for high school and/or college credit. This includes academic courses you took for high school credit while in middle school/junior high school, as well as dual enrollment/dual credit classes. (But it doesn’t include coursework you completed at a higher education institution that is not part of dual enrollment or part of an Early College High School.)

While completing the STARS doesn’t eliminate your need to send transcripts later in the application process (sorry!),  it does allow you to self-report your academic history and achievements directly to the colleges you’re applying to. That means you can submit your academic record to colleges without waiting for a high school counselor or other administrator to send your transcript for you.

Which Colleges Get the STARS?

Not all schools require applicants to submit STARS, but schools like Texas A&M, the University of Florida, and Virginia Tech do (as of April 2026). You’ll find that most institutions using the STARS are public universities, though a handful of private schools (like Baylor) require it.

Schools that require it will ask incoming freshman applicants to enter their course details, grades, class rank (if available on the transcript), and graduation plan in STARS before the application submission deadline.

To see if the college you’re applying to is on the STARS bandwagon, you can check this list or the school’s admissions web page. (Post-application, you can also check your applicant portal to see if they require the STARS.)

Why Is Submitting the STARS Important?

For schools that require the STARS, submitting it is required for your application to be considered complete and ready for review. Applications that require STARS but are missing it will be considered incomplete at the deadline and won’t be considered for admission.

Even if you’ve already sent your transcript to the school, if they also require an STARS, you must submit that. Remember, in many cases, the STARS supersedes your transcript during the initial application review.

In some cases (like with Texas A&M, if you’re a Texas resident who’s ranked within the top 10% of your senior class), providing your rank on your STARS and your transcript will speed up automatic admission.

When Should You Complete the STARS?

You can begin filling in the STARS as early as ninth grade, or you can wait until you start completing your college applications. Although you can submit your STARS before you submit your college applications, you often won’t be able to link your STARS to your application until you’ve submitted your application.

You can create your account by visiting this site and clicking Create STARS Account.

Pro Tip: Don’t forget to use the same email address you use on your college application.

Here’s some good news: You only need to complete it once! After you’ve completed it, you’ll just need to link your completed STARS to your application once you’ve submitted one to a school that requires the STARS.

In most cases, the STARS is separate from the admissions application, so each school will direct you in different ways to link your STARS. For example, for Texas A&M, applications are directed to click a link in the Documents Required for Admission checklist within the student’s Applicant Information System (or Howdy portal).

Important Note: If a school requires the STARS, your application will likely be considered incomplete if you haven’t submitted the STARS by the deadline. So don’t wait on this!

Tips for Completing the STARS

While you can find plenty of tips for completing the STARS on individual schools’ websites or on the STARS support page, here are a few helpful tips for completing the document:

• Have a copy of your high school transcript on hand as a reference when completing your STARS. Don’t try to complete it by memory.
• Set aside about an hour to complete the STARS. While it’s not difficult, it is time-consuming, and you want to get it right.
• Take your time, and double-check your entries before you submit. You can’t change your STARS once you’ve submitted it.
• If you want to work on the STARS gradually, don’t forget to click Save or Save Course (if prompted) before leaving a screen or logging out.
• Contact the school directly if you need to make a change to your submitted STARS.
• Don’t make any grade format conversions or weight your grades; instead, enter them as they appear on your transcript.
• If a course name doesn’t appear on the drop-down list, type it in exactly as it appears on your transcript.
• Choose “In Progress” for any scheduled or current 12th-grade courses.

Having trouble completing the SRAR/SSAR? Access the STARS Support Center for guidance.

So, there you have it — the lowdown on STARS. Yes, it’s one more thing to add to your college application to-do list, but it’s also your ticket to a smoother, more streamlined college application experience.

Frequently Asked Questions About STARS

Does every college require STARS?
No — STARS is required by select schools, mostly public universities. Check the official list or the admissions page for each school on your list.

Do I still need to send my official transcript if I submit STARS?
Yes. STARS is used during the initial review process, but you’ll still need to send an official transcript once you’re admitted (or as the school requires). Submitting STARS doesn’t replace that step.

What if I make a mistake on my STARS after submitting?
You can’t edit it yourself once it’s submitted. Contact the school’s admissions office directly — they’ll advise you on next steps.

Do I need to submit a separate STARS for each school?
No. You complete it once and link it to each school that requires it. You’ll typically get a unique STARS ID to use for linking.

What if my school doesn’t calculate class rank?
Leave the class rank field blank or select the appropriate option indicating rank is not available. Don’t estimate or leave it incorrectly filled in.

Can I include dual enrollment courses?
Yes — dual enrollment and dual credit courses should be included. However, don’t include college coursework that isn’t part of a dual enrollment or Early College High School program.