The Student-Athlete Guide to Completing the Self-Reported Transcript and Academic Record System (STARS)

At POLARIS Student Athlete Consulting, we understand that navigating the college admissions process can feel overwhelming. And that is especially so for student athletes juggling recruiting, academics, and potential NIL opportunities. One requirement that often surprises families is the process of self-reporting academic records and/or transcripts. Systems like the Self-Reported Academic Record (SRAR) and Self-Reported Transcript & Academic Record (STARS), have been used by many colleges instead of requiring an initial transcript.

The SRAR/SSAR system recently was rebranded as the Self-Reported Transcript and Academic Record System (STARS) to reflect feedback from students, counselors, and colleges and to introduce the new STARS EasyImport tool, which streamlines completing academic records. The transition, effective August 1, 2025, requires no action from users since existing accounts, data, and submissions remain unchanged, and colleges will continue to accept previously submitted records.

What Is the STARS and Why Is It Important?

The Self-Reported Transcript & Academic Record (STARS) is an online form where students enter their high school courses and grades exactly as they appear on their transcript. Many universities now rely on this tool for admissions decisions before requesting an official transcript. Accuracy is crucial because errors can delay or even jeopardize your college application. The University of Tennessee has a series of video tutorials available for students to access when navigating their STARS.

Which Colleges Require the STARS?

A growing number of universities require STARS for freshman applicants. Here are some of the major schools that currently require it:

• Clemson University

• Florida State University

• New York University (NYU)

• Penn State University

• Rutgers University (all campuses)

• Texas A&M University

• University of Delaware

• University of Florida

• University of Pittsburgh

• Virginia Tech

Complete list of participating colleges/universities that accept or require STARS during the application process. Reminder: always verify on each school’s official admissions page, as STARS requirements may change.

Why STARS Matters for Student Athletes

If you’re a high school athlete planning official visits or aiming for early decision or early action deadlines, missing the STARS requirement could put your college application on hold. For athletes, this can impact recruiting timelines and scholarship opportunities. Admissions offices use the STARS to expedite the admissions process by reviewing records faster, so it’s critical to accurately enter all required information.

How POLARIS Student Athlete Consulting Helps

At POLARIS, we guide student athletes and families through every step of their college admissions journey and this includes STARS completion support where we help you enter your grades accurately to avoid costly/timely mistakes. Our mission is to simplify the process so you can focus on academic success, athletic performance, and NIL opportunities while navigating the college recruiting journey.

Ready to take the stress out of college applications and recruiting? Contact POLARIS Student Athlete Consulting today to learn how we help student-athletes succeed in admissions and beyond.