As the college application season for Fall 2026 approaches, it’s essential to stay informed about the specific requirements of the colleges you're applying to.

One important component of the Common Application that some colleges and universities require is the Courses and Grades Report (CGR), a self-reported transcript in which students input their high school courses, grades, and other academic information directly into the Common Application. This allows colleges to evaluate academic performance without initially requiring an official transcript. Many universities use the CGR to streamline the application process.

Because the CGR is part of the Common Application, you don’t need to create a separate account. You can see which colleges you are applying to require the CGR.

A similar report is called the Self-reported Transcript and Academic Record System (STARS). Some colleges that use the Common Application require the STARS, but it is a separate platform. You can create your STARS account here.

How to Complete the CGR and STARS

Have Your Transcript: We can’t overstate the importance of having your transcript in front of you as you fill out the CGR and STARS. Please note a transcript is different than a report card. Your transcript should have all of your final grades from 9th to 11th grade.
Pay Attention to Details: Input your information exactly as it appears on your transcript.
Include All Coursework: Don’t forget to include all high school courses, even if, like the first year of a foreign language, they were taken in middle school or outside of the regular academic year.
Check for Accuracy: Double-check your entries before submitting. Even minor errors can delay the processing of your application or raise questions about your integrity. The college you attend will receive your final 9th to 12th grade transcript at the end of your senior year. Discrepancies in the CGR/STARS and your transcript can result in your acceptance being rescinded.
Seek Guidance if Needed: If you have questions about how to report specific courses or grades, reach out to your school counselor or the admissions office of the college you're applying to. It's better to clarify any uncertainties than to make mistakes.
Pay attention to each college’s deadline: Since the CGR is part of the Common Application, you can’t submit your application until it’s complete. The STARS is usually due after the college’s application deadline. Make sure you submit it on time. Submitting it late may result in an Early Action application being deferred to Regular Decision and a Regular Decision application not being considered at all.

COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES THAT USE THE STARS INCLUDE:*
*Check the websites of the colleges on your list for updated information and accuracy.

Baylor University (TX) – optional (website: “highly encouraged”)

Clemson University (SC) -- required

Duquesne University (PA) – optional

Florida A&M University – required

Florida Atlantic University -- required

Florida Polytechnic University (NOT Florida Tech) – required

Florida State University -- required

Kean University of New Jersey -- required

Louisiana State University – optional

Montclair State University (NJ) – required

New College of Florida -- optional

New York University – required

Pennsylvania State University -- required

Rutgers University (NJ, Camden, New Brunswick and Newark) – required

Temple University (PA and Japan campus) – optional (website: “highly encouraged”)

Texas A&M University – required

United States Air Force Academy (CO) -- required

University at Buffalo (NY) – optional

University of Connecticut – optional

University of Delaware – required

University of Florida – required

University of Massachusetts Amherst – optional (website: “highly encouraged”)

University of Minnesota Twin Cities – required; also uses CGR

University of New Hampshire -- optional

University of North Florida -- required

University of Oregon – also uses GCR

University of Pittsburgh (PA) – required

University of Rhode Island -- required

University of South Florida – required

University of Tampa (FL) -- optional

University of Tennessee Knoxville – required

University of Texas, Arlington and San Antonio campuses – required

University of West Florida -- required

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) – required

COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES THAT USE THE CGR INCLUDE:*
*Check the websites of the colleges on your list for updated information and accuracy.

Allen University (SC)

American University in Cairo (Egypt)

Amherst College (MA)

Anatolia American University (Greece)

Andrews University (IN)

Arizona State University

Ave Maria University (FL)

Baker College (MI)

Bethel University (TN)

Bishop’s University (Canada)

Brescia University (KY)

Brunel University London (UK)

Carl Sandburg College (IL)

Carnegie Mellon University (PA)

East Texas Baptist University

Edinburgh Napier University (UK)

EHL Hospitality Business School (Switzerland)

Elizabeth City State University (NC)

ESCP Business School (France)

Eureka College (IL)

Franklin Switzerland

Goshen College (IN)

Hampton University (VA)

Jack Kent Cooke Foundation

Kettering University (MI)

Leeds Beckett University (UK)

Life University (GA)

Lincoln University of Pennsylvania

List College of JTSA (NY)

Loyola Marymount University (CA)

Manor College (PA)

McDaniel College (MD)

McKendree University (IL)

Methodist University (NC)

Midway University (KY)

Milligan University (TN)

Milwaukee Inst of Art/Design (WI)

Minerva University (CA)

Minneapolis College of Art/Design (MN)

Mississippi Valley State University (MS)

Montreat College (NC)

Morehouse College (GA)

Newberry College (SC)

North American University (TX)

Northern Arizona University

Oklahoma Baptist University

Oregon Tech

Prescott College (AZ)

Purdue University (IN)

Reinhardt University (GA)

Ripon College (WI)

Saint John’s College (MD)

Saint Vincent College (PA)

Sattler College (MA)

Shanghai Jiao Tong U Global C (China)

South Carolina State University

Springfield University (MA)

Stanford University (CA)

Sweet Briar College (VA)

Taejae University (South Korea)

Ulster University (UK)

University of Aberdeen (UK)

University of Alaska Fairbanks

University of Arizona

University of Charleston (WV)

University of Dundee (UK)

University of Glasgow (UK)

University of Guelph (Canada)

University of Limerick (Ireland)

University of Minnesota Twin Cities

University of Missouri Kansas City

University of New Mexico

University of Oregon

University of Roehampton (UK)

University of Strathclyde (UK)

University of the Highlands and Islands (UK)

University of the West of England (UK)

University of Washington (Seattle, Tacoma)

University of Wisconsin (Madison)

University of Worcester (UK)

Xavier University of Louisiana