The Cocurricular Transcript provides validation and formal documentation of involvement in meaningful extracurricular activities during the college years. When coupled with the academic transcript, a holistic picture of the student’s interests, gifts and abilities are portrayed, enhancing marketability during the job search.
Cocurricular Transcript Categories:
- Leadership Involvement: Any position held in a campus club or organization.
- Honors and Awards: These can be academic in nature or honors received while serving in the community.
- Professional Development: These include on- or off-campus workshops, seminars, and conferences you may attend, as well as training sessions that equip you for future work.
- Community and Volunteer Service: This is any validated work that provides a service to the community. When listing this kind of activity, please provide the name of the agency, a contact person who can verify your involvement and a contact phone number.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT OLIVET'S COCURRICULAR TRANSCRIPT
What is the Cocurricular Transcript?
The Cocurricular Transcript is often described as the student development transcript. It is an official record of leadership achievements; participation in community service activities and in professional development workshops and seminars; and involvement in student clubs and organizations. Because students spend an average of 85 percent of their college careers outside the classroom, the CT is a valuable document that reflects how that time has been used. Official copies of the CT are often coupled with résumés and academic transcripts as part of a job or graduate school application.
How do I begin the process of starting a Cocurricular Transcript?
Step 1: Complete an application and return it to the Center for Student Success (CSS) Office. This establishes your CT.
Step 2: When you participate in an event or activity, fill out a validation form to verify your involvement. Make sure you have the faculty/staff sponsor sign your validation form. Return the form to the CSS Office. One form per event or activity is required. For the best results, begin logging extracurricular activities during your freshman year.
Step 3: To request an official copy of your CT, complete the cocurricular transcript request form and allow at least a week to process the transcript.
How do I maximize the Cocurricular Transcript program at Olivet?
- Select specific competencies that you need to develop throughout your college career so that extracurricular activities become purposeful.
- Keep a record of these activities, as well as any competencies you are developing
- Complete validation forms as quickly as possible after the activity. Turn in completed forms to the CSS Office. Do not wait until the last minute.
- Be sure to include correct mailing addresses for those receiving your transcript. Write legibly.
- Be truthful in everything you include! This transcript is a reflection of you, Olivet and Christians everywhere.
What qualifies as a cocurricular activity?
These are activities that you participate in outside the classroom, such as serving as a resident assistant or in a position on student council, holding a leadership role in any campus club or organization such as the Aurora or GlimmerGlass, service in a local church or community organization or participation on a University athletic team or in a musical ensemble.
When is the best time to start my CT process?
The best time to start is during your freshman year at Olivet. The sooner you begin, the more complete your transcript will be. If you are an upperclassman and have yet to start a CT, we recommend beginning as soon as possible. Be as careful as you can in reflecting back on past extracurricular involvements. Be sure you can validate any involvement. Integrity and honesty are essential in the development of this document. This transcript represents you! If you provide false information now, you may be embarrassed later.
Can I list all my activities in my CT?
Yes, provided they are things you have done while a student at Olivet. The CT can also include any awards and recognitions you may have earned during your time at Olivet.
What about employment opportunities? Can they be listed?
No. That is reserved for your résumé. This document is intended to reflect the kinds of things you have done apart from the classroom and employment area of your life.
When should I submit the validation forms?
The validation forms should be turned in to the CSS Office when the event or activity is completed. For example, if you are a resident assistant (long-term activity) and have served in this capacity all year, complete a validation form and turn it in at the end of the school year. If, however, you attended a workshop (short-term activity) on preventing stress in the workplace, complete and turn in the validation form immediately following the workshop.
What if I held two positions in the same organization?
You should submit one validation form for each position held.
FREQUENTLY MADE MISTAKES:
- Employment! Please do not include any paid activities or positions. Those kinds of things belong on the résumé.
- Intramural sports are not included on the CT (unless, for example, you are applying to be a parks and recreation director or a physical education teacher).
- Do not use abbreviations or acronyms! Those familiar with Olivet know, for example, the meaning of “ASC” or “RA,” but those outside the campus will not. Spell things out completely.
- Honors program activities do NOT belong in the CT. These will be on the academic transcript.