Need advice - school requiring record of grades that I don't have (from study abroad semester)

[lbp2488]

I need advice. One of the schools I've applied to is requiring a graded transcript from my semester abroad. I have transfer credits for this semester listed on my official transcript, but there are no associated grades. I never received a graded transcript, and no one in the study abroad program's staff will respond to my inquiry about whether they can provide one. I was able to get in touch with my study abroad program director, who no longer works there, and she said they didn't keep transcripts, so it's highly unlikely that they will be able to provide one now.

 

I've communicated all of this to the admissions staff person, but they are pushing back, saying they require graded transcripts since the credits counted toward my undergraduate degree. This is in spite of the fact that the grades I received abroad obviously didn't transfer to my undergrad institution, as I only got transfer credit, so they did not affect my GPA. I told them this very clearly, too.

 

Does anyone have advice on how to handle this? What can I say to the admissions staff person to get them to understand that I can't conjure a graded transcript out of thin air? I'm worried that they are not going to review my application because of this, and it's something that is out of my control.

[TheGirlWhoLived]

I didn't have this problem since I actually had grades transfer over, but I have heard that even if you get transfer credit only, you would need the actual grades when applying for graduate school. 

I would keep trying to get a hold of the school you studied abroad at (as frustrating as that sounds). It wouldn't make sense for them to throw out the records of a student that attended. I think they have to keep them (or else it's like you didn't go at all). If you have skype, you can make an international call for a reasonable price. It might be something that needs to be handled over the phone.

[lbp2488]

Thanks! I found a way to request a transcript by digging through their site, but the program admins have still not responded to my emails or calls about whether it would actually contain grades, so I'm crossing my fingers on this one. It's strange though, only one school has pushed back and asked for grades. I didn't have this problem with any of the 11 programs I applied to in 2011 (for which the study abroad courses would have actually been slightly relevant) or any of the other programs I applied to this year. Hopefully this transcript will have grades... And hopefully this isn't holding up the review of my application.

[TheGirlWhoLived]

Schools are weird like that. I've had schools tell me that they need separate transcripts for study abroad even though the grades are clearly listed (they eventually said it was okay). I've also needed transcripts from dual enrollment for some schools even though the grades are clearly listed on my current transcript and the courses are completely irrelevant.

 

Anyway, good luck!

[pachel]

I ran into this same problem with my applications: my study abroad credits (as well as some college credits I took my senior year in high school) showed up as transfer credits on my undergrad transcript but I didn't have transcripts from the institutions themselves. When I explained this to the schools I was applying to, they basically said "alright then" and waived that requirement. If they aren't accepting that explanation, maybe you can have your undergraduate institution explain to the program how study abroad credits work; they might be more willing to accept an explanation from another institution.

Edited February 24, 2014 by pachel

[Sueño2014]

Does anyone know if schools require official transcripts from the exchange program, or are copies of the transcript (as long as grades are listed) ok?  

[TheGirlWhoLived]

Typically it is official, but they will tell you if they will accept a copy

[lbp2488]

Thanks Pachel and TheGirlWhoLived! Pachel - this one school did not accept the explanation you suggested, though other schools did. The transcript should come through though... hopefully.

 

Does anyone know if schools require official transcripts from the exchange program, or are copies of the transcript (as long as grades are listed) ok?  

 

It really depends on the school. Some schools require official transcripts from every institution with your application, some accept unofficial with the application but require official transcripts once you've been accepted. Some schools are okay with transfer credits being listed in your "main" transcript, others (as I've explained) want grades listed too... I'd check the application requirements, as they are usually fairly clear about it, and contact someone in admissions if it's not clear.

Edited February 26, 2014 by lbp2488

[Sueño2014]

Thanks, TheGirlWhoLived and Ibp2488.  It looks like I might have to spend more on transcripts than I'd planned-glad I found that out now.  

Edited February 27, 2014 by Sueño2014

[adlittle]

I had this come up for a summer session that I took which the school agreed to award credit. I contacted the institution at which I studied and they did have some info, though not an official transcript, available. If it's available, you might be shelling out a ton for it, but if it isn't, then you forward the email where they say so to admissions. That's how two grad schools agreed with me to handle it.