What is the best strategy for self-reporting grades on the Stony Brook application?

The best strategy is to copy your transcript exactly, course by course and term by term, without trying to “clean up” titles, average grades, or make anything look more standardized. The safest approach is to have your transcript open while you enter each class, use the exact course names your school uses when possible, and report grades in the same format shown by your school.

Enter every high school course that appears on your transcript, including core classes, electives, world language, PE/health if listed, and any high school courses taken in middle school if they appear for credit on the transcript. Report the grading scale exactly as your school gives it, whether that is letter grades, numerical grades, trimester marks, semester marks, or final grades. If your school includes weighting, honors labels, AP, IB, or dual enrollment in the course title, keep that distinction clear.

Do not convert grades yourself unless the application specifically instructs you to. For example, if your transcript shows a 93, report 93 rather than changing it to an A, and if it shows A-, report A- rather than deciding it is a 90. The same rule applies to pass/fail, withdrawn courses, repeated classes, and summer courses: report them as they appear.

A practical way to avoid mistakes is to enter everything once, then do a second pass checking four things only: course title, level, term, and grade. Also make sure the number of courses and school years line up with your transcript exactly. If something unusual appears on your transcript, such as block scheduling, college courses, or a nonstandard grading system, follow the transcript and any application instructions rather than guessing.

The main risk is omission, not style. If the self-reported record matches the transcript closely, you are doing it right.