Admission without an official transcript?

[virtua]

I`m Prospective International Graduate Student. I have applied for MSc in Petroleum Engineering. Overall, I think, my application is ok. The only problem I have with my appication is my transcript. I have uploaded a scan of it and its notarially certified translation, but I was not able to send official transcript by mail till the 15th of December. And to be frank, I would like to send it much later, as it is not possible to mail it at the moment, because I work full-time, so I do not have time to sort out these things, I mean, to go to my university, to nororious and etc.
So my question is: does CSM consider application without official transcript? Can I be accepted without official transcript?
I do realize that I will have to mail it later anyway, but at the moment it is not possible.
Btw, I want to get scholarship, I mean I will refuse if I`m accepted without getting TA or RA.

[Vene]

The only people who really know the answer to this are the people in charge of admission. Have you talked to them at all? You're not even telling us what university so those of us who have experience with that particular program in the past can't help you either.

[virtua]

aah, really sry, it is Colorado School of Mines.

You know I tried to contact them many times, once they answered, but the answer was vague.On the other hand, quote from their website:

 

"Applications will be reviewed with unofficial transcripts and test scores. If you are accepted into the program the official credentials must be received by the Graduate Office before you can register for classes."

[virtua]

Generally, what is the rule for american universities: do they accept you to the program only if you have sent official transcript or you can mail it after?

[Vene]

Okay, that's actually a lot clearer. You don't have to give then your official transcripts unless you get an offer and accept it. This means that they're content with unofficial for review, but in order to formally enter the program they do need the official transcripts to confirm that they match the unofficial one you provided.

[TakeruK]

Generally, what is the rule for american universities: do they accept you to the program only if you have sent official transcript or you can mail it after?

 

Things might have changed since the Fall 2012 admission season, but in that year, about half of my schools wanted official mailed transcript for applications and the other half were happy with unofficial transcript (only require official when you start the program). So, I don't think there is a "general rule"--to me, it seems like both are equally common. I do think schools are moving towards unofficial though, because even if a school required official transcripts for the application, they will still want another official transcript before you can enroll (to see that you really did get your degree).

[FinallyAccepted]

So, I don't think there is a "general rule"--to me, it seems like both are equally common. I do think schools are moving towards unofficial though, because even if a school required official transcripts for the application, they will still want another official transcript before you can enroll (to see that you really did get your degree).

Like TakeruK mentioned, there's not a standard protocol that applies to all schools or all of a certain type of program. This year, I applied to 11 schools. I think only 4 wanted official transcripts at the time of application. Most were fine with a scan now and an official transcript IF admitted. This is much nicer from the standpoint of paying for graduate applications, especially for those of us with more than one transcript which needs to be sent.

[virtua]

Thank you very much, all, for your replies! 

That is the problem. I think it is not right to require an official transcript while it is uknown if a student is accepted. Because it costs quite a lot of money, for example in my country, to do that sort of things, I mean, to translate, to verify by notary and to mail. I have already spent more than 300 $ on applications and still I`m going to pay for other things and applications as well.

[virtua]

my last question: What do you think is it the same for scholarship-oriented application as well? Or again it depends on university?

[TakeruK]

my last question: What do you think is it the same for scholarship-oriented application as well? Or again it depends on university?

 

What do you mean by scholarship-oriented application? If you mean application for fellowships or scholarships, then it would depend on the organization granting the award. From my experience, these organizations usually require official versions of everything at time of application though. 

 

If you mean application to graduate schools with funding (i.e. school scholarships for PhD students) then the answer would probably be the same as above. This is because most schools will consider you for all scholarships you're eligible for at the same time as your application, since admissions is often considered at the same time as funding. There will be some scholarships that require a separate application though, especially for normally unfunded programs, and I can't answer that question since I am not familiar with that! But maybe someone else here can!