Hello there, I am a polytechnic diploma graduate from Singapore. Prior to attending polytechnic, I was in secondary school and took the o levels. Last week I got an email from a Princeton admissions staff asking for my transcripts from before I attended polytechnic which I reckon was my secondary school/o levels. Is it normal for admissions staff to ask for these things? I would think that they only looked at high school transcripts and such. And a polytechnic diploma is somewhat a higher standard than high schools right?
Whether or not you think that a polytechnic diploma is “higher standard” than a US high school is immaterial. Princeton wants all of your secondary school records, so you have to send them. If you aren’t certain which years Princeton needs to receive, send them an email and ask.
O level is roughly equivalent to 10th grade in the US. Many colleges and universities require secondary school records for all four years for US applicants (9, 10, 11, and 12). What any college or university chooses to require of applicants from other educational systems is entirely up to that particular college or university.
It’s very normal - when JC kids apply they also have to send sec 3 and sec 4 grades along with jc grades/a levels for it to be considered a full high school transcript. You should probably send your sec 3 and sec 4/o level grades.