Transcript Notation
At Oregon State University, you can earn special recognition for your work in research or the arts. Students who complete a significant research or creative arts project with an OSU faculty mentor can be named a Research Fellow or Arts Fellow.
This distinction is added to your transcript and comes with the option to wear a blue honor cord at graduation. It’s a way to showcase your accomplishments to future degree programs and employers, highlighting your experience beyond the classroom.
Steps to Become a Research or Arts Fellow
- Decide if you want to be a Fellow.
- No: No action needed.
- Yes: Continue to #2.
- Are you completing a thesis?
- Honors College: Contact [email protected]
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BRR: Contact [email protected]
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Physics: Contact [email protected]
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No thesis: Continue to #3.
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Will you present at a research/arts symposium? (e.g., SPS, VRS)
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Yes: Apply online for transcript notation.
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Requirements to Apply for a Transcript Notation
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Students can seek both the “Research Fellow” and the “Arts Fellow" notation on their transcript but it must be for separate projects.
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Presenting your research at the Spring Poster Symposium, Virtual Research Symposium, or another Symposium is a requirement to qualify for the Transcript Notation.
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Students may apply for transcript notation at any time. If you are a graduating student, the deadline to apply is Monday of Week 10.
Important Information
“Research/Creativity” is defined here as modes of scholarship and inquiry as they are variously practiced and defined in OSU’s academic disciplines. It will vary by major/discipline. In the sciences, it could be a laboratory research project. In the liberal arts, it might be a creative effort in music, visual, or performance arts. In any case, the project must be overseen and approved by an OSU faculty mentor.
- A "Research Fellow" will be a student who has engaged in activities leading to uncovering new knowledge or applying existing knowledge to solving problems.
- An “Arts Fellow” is a student completing a significant creative project in the arts. Creative projects may fall under the performance arts (theater, dance, music, etc.), media (video, film), writing, or the visual arts.
- Transcript Notation will show up on your unofficial transcript and diploma after you graduate. E-transcripts are free and delivered to your email un under an hour. You can view this notation now by requesting your official transcript. Paper transcripts are $10 each.
- You will also be eligible to wear a royal blue honor cord (available for purchase at the OSU Beaver Store) during your Commencement ceremony.
- Instructions on how to submit your presentation to ScholarsArchive.
- When asked what your "Non-Academic Affiliation" is, select Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR)
The Transcript Notation application is a separate application and would still need to be done after submitting your project/thesis to the Scholars Archive
*If you do not find the answers you are looking for, please feel free to email [email protected].
Transcript Notation Questions
Your OSU faculty mentor for the project. The following are eligible to serve as OSU faculty mentors:
- Professorial Faculty (Assistant/Associate/Full Professor/Professor of Practice)
- Instructors who are engaged in research or creative activities
- Professional Faculty who are engaged in research or creative activities
Graduate students and post-doctoral scholars are not eligible to serve as the OSU faculty mentor but may mentor undergraduates seeking the “Research Fellow” or “Arts Fellow” along with the OSU faculty mentors.
Yes, it must be certified by an OSU faculty mentor per the criteria above, but we do have opportunities for distance learning or remote students.
Once you have presented research at CUE, SURS, or another symposium, you qualify to apply for a transcript notation to appear on your official academic transcript.
After you apply for the Transcript Notation, you will receive a confirmation email from the Office of the Registrar.
The Transcript Notation will show on your unofficial transcript.
No. The online form along with all required documents and signatures must be submitted by noon on Friday of finals week of the term in which you are graduating. The notation cannot be added after you graduate.
Various options satisfy this requirement. You could present your work at the Spring Poster Symposium (SPS) poster session in spring term or at the Virtual Research Symposium (VRS) during winter term. You could also present your work at a symposium or conference organized by an OSU College or Department/School, or regional, national or international conferences. Other options for communicating your work include publishing your work in a professional journal, doing a public performance (e.g. a recital or concert), or defending your thesis.
A “Research Fellow” will be a student who has engaged in activities leading to uncovering new knowledge or applying existing knowledge to solving problems. An “Arts Fellow” will be a student completing a significant creative project in the arts. Creative works may fall under the performance arts (theater, dance, music, etc.), media (video, film), writing, or the visual arts.
Graduate students and post-doctoral scholars are not eligible to serve as the OSU faculty mentor but may mentor undergraduates seeking the “Research Fellow” or “Arts Fellow” along with the OSU faculty mentors.
- Professorial Faculty (Assistant/Associate/Full Professor/Professor of Practice)
- Professional Faculty or Instructors who are engaged in research or creative activities.