Do U.S.schools in the US use A3 size paper (twice the 8*11.5 inch size) to print out trancript?

[dandelionhh]

Hi guys, I still have two more applications to go and i have a question about trancript.

 

My transcript is twice in page size (16*22 inch or A3) as the typical paper for printout (8*11.5 inch or A4).

 

So my question is, do graduate schools in the United States generally use 16*22 inch papers for printout too, or do they always use the typical 8*11.5 for printout and adjust the size of every scanned image to that size?

 

If they use both sizes (I hope!), then I'll scanned the transcript in its original page size and everything will be quite clear.

 

If they only use 8*15, everything on the full-version printout would be too small and blurry. In this case, I'll probably have to reduce page size while scanning, or they may not know how to make adjustment and only part of the transcript appears on the printout.

 

 

I'm in China and don't know about the situation in the US. i need to know whether it is common for U.S. graduate schools to use different sizes of papers to print out applications.

 

Thanks,

Edited January 14, 2014 by dandelionhh

[hj2012]

If there's the risk that even one school will reject your transcript because of the page size, I think you'd be better off reducing the page size on your own. Why take the chance? It should only take a minute to do.

[fuzzylogician]

If applicants' files are printed, I am willing to bet good money that everyone's files will be printed on the same type of paper - letter size paper - without special consideration of any particular page in any particular applicant's file that may require different settings. It's too much work and frankly I doubt anyone will look closely enough to even notice the need. This will be one page in the middle of your application, and there will be 100+ others like it for the secretary to prepare. 

 

I recommend you scan your transcripts in a way that will be legible on letter size paper (or A4, which is similar enough). Either scan the transcript in two halves, since A3 is basically just two A4 papers put together, or shrink the page in such a way that it's still legible. If you're unsure, include both the original/shrunk version and the two-page version, so they can look at both to verify authenticity but are also able to read what's on the page. 

[roguesenna]

In the U.S. most transcripts (and in general, most documents) are printed on 8.5inx11in paper. That said, I don't think you should alter the size of your official transcript unless they specifically ask you too. I'd recommend trying to get in touch with the school that you are applying to and asking them how they prefer the document. If you shrink it and they can't read the document they will probably ask you to resubmit anyway and if the document looks in any way "unofficial," once again they will probably ask you to resubmit.

 

I also like fuzzy's suggestion to include both versions, that way all your bases are covered.

[dandelionhh]

Thank you guys. It was very helpful. I at least upload to one school 2 versions as Fuzzy suggested - both shrinked and the original size in two halves.

 

In china, the typying paper size is 29.7*21cm, similar to letter size of 8.5*11 inch in the U.S., or so I guess.

 

This problem didn't occurred to me before, so for most of the schools I just upload the transcripts in their original sizes. Hopefully when they do the printout they choose "paper scaling: fit to paper." The shrinked size printout is still tolerable, but a bit small and faint (you can still tell what's what but not without a bit effort.) At least it'd be better than if they don't know anything about the setting and the default setting for the printout is "paper scaling: actual size." I'll keep my fingers crossed.

 

Thanks,