Sending transcripts from numerous schools

[Gerri]

Hi all,

I have attended three universities - one for summer school, one for a semester program, and the last being my home campus. Being that application season is right around the corner, I'm wondering if anyone has every had a bad experience with sending transcripts directly from one university to another for grad applications? Of course, I've transferred units via a transcript to my home campus, I'm just fearful of trying to send 3 different transcripts from those 3 universities to 8 different grad school universities. I am tempted to just have all the transcripts sent to me and then send them myself so that I can keep track of them.

Does anyone have any thoughts or experiences with this matter? Or do you know of any university protocol that wants transcripts sent directly from university to university (I'm sure it varies by Univ.)? Feel free to shoot me an email or just respond here

Cheers,

Holly

[Mr. Wonton]

Grad programs usually require that universities send transcripts directly to them. However, some online application systems list what materials they have received so far, so it makes keeping track of your transcripts easier. If it's close to the deadline (or past it), grad programs often call you to ask for missing materials.

Remember that if you're not sending something directly (GRE scores, transcripts, recommendation letters), they'll understand it's out of your control, so they'll be a little more lenient on the deadlines. 

Edited August 14, 2010 by Mr. Wonton

[UnlikelyGrad]

Hi all,

I have attended three universities - one for summer school, one for a semester program, and the last being my home campus. Being that application season is right around the corner, I'm wondering if anyone has every had a bad experience with sending transcripts directly from one university to another for grad applications? Of course, I've transferred units via a transcript to my home campus, I'm just fearful of trying to send 3 different transcripts from those 3 universities to 8 different grad school universities. I am tempted to just have all the transcripts sent to me and then send them myself so that I can keep track of them.

Does anyone have any thoughts or experiences with this matter? Or do you know of any university protocol that wants transcripts sent directly from university to university (I'm sure it varies by Univ.)? Feel free to shoot me an email or just respond here

Cheers,

Holly

I had to send transcripts from 5 universities. I had the registrar's office at each school send them directly to the 9 schools I applied to. The only time I had a problem was when some secretary put the first two transcripts (which were had my maiden name) in a separate file...My app had included my maiden name, but they somehow couldn't get stuff to the right place!

[fuzzylogician]

Grad programs usually require that universities send transcripts directly to them. However, some online application systems list what materials they have received so far, so it makes keeping track of your transcripts easier. If it's close to the deadline (or past it), grad programs often call you to ask for missing materials.

Remember that if you're not sending something directly (GRE scores, transcripts, recommendation letters), they'll understand it's out of your control, so they'll be a little more lenient on the deadlines.

I was able to send my transcripts (from two universities) myself to all of the schools that I applied to. I'm glad I did, because that way I could track them and know if/when they arrived. I had no trouble with my transcripts, but I suppose it's always possible for something to get lost either in the mail or at the grad school, so that's something to look out for. Because I sent them myself, I was able to send my transcripts along with the rest of my application in the same envelope; I put my name on every piece of paper in the envelope, and I attached a cover letter listing everything it contained. OP: if you can do this, I'd recommend this method. If everything is added to your file at the same time, there are fewer chances for things to get lost or misfiled. Most admissions websites state how they accept transcripts (e.g. directly from schools or from the applicants as well), and if they don't -- ask. As far as online tracking systems that tell you when your application has been updated with a new credential, I've found that most all of the schools I applied to were very slow to update that system, or did not update it at all. Some schools say they will contact you if your file is not complete, but others might not. Consider being proactive and inquiring some time after you've submitted everything to make sure that your application has been received, processed and forwarded to the department for consideration, so you don't find out too late that you weren't considered for admissions because of a clerical error. Unfortunately, that's not unheard of on this board.

[adaptations]

I've been through this, sending 4 transcripts to a ton of different schools. Many schools want the transcripts sent direct, a few requested that I aggregated them and sent them all together. My suggestion is to make sure you read all the requirements very carefully! Also, send them in early so the school has plenty of time to receive them, and if there are any mistakes you'll have time to take care of it. I have found most schools to be very accommodating to accepting transcripts. In one case a school lost most of my file, and admitted it was probably their fault. They had me resend the materials, and it was not a big deal (although I stressed over it like crazy of course).

Cheers,

adapt

[fuzzylogician]

I am applying to five/six different graduate schools and all of the applications ask me to send in official transcript(s) from all the colleges/universities I have attended. I am currently attending UCR and I have attended Riverside Community College and Pasadena City College for summer school. I already have transferred those credits and they are listed under my UCR transcript. Instead of sending a transcript from all three campuses, can I just send the one from UCR that already includes all the transferred credit where a degree will be earned?

There is no uniform answer to this question. Some (probably most) schools will agree for you not to send the other transcripts in this case, but some will insist on seeing all of them.

[adaptations]

I am applying to five/six different graduate schools and all of the applications ask me to send in official transcript(s) from all the colleges/universities I have attended. I am currently attending UCR and I have attended Riverside Community College and Pasadena City College for summer school. I already have transferred those credits and they are listed under my UCR transcript. Instead of sending a transcript from all three campuses, can I just send the one from UCR that already includes all the transferred credit where a degree will be earned?

A lot of schools I applied to required having the original transcript from each school. My undergrad record includes three different schools, which all appear on my final transcript from the school from which I graduated, but of course it still meant sending three undergrad transcripts, plus the graduate one. I feel your pain, but it is probably better to be safe and send them all, unless they specifically tell you that you don't have to.