Weird Email from Program?

[anxietygirl]

Hi Everyone, 

So, today I received an email from UCI about my application. I had previously submitted an unofficial transcript (since it stated that an official one was not required), and today I got an email from the department that stated: 

 

Dear Anxietygirl,

 

The Admission Committee is reviewing your application, and they think that your declared subject of interest could fit our program. But they cannot make any further evaluation without the complete materials. Please submit an official transcript to the following address as soon as possible.

 

University of California, Irvine
Department of History
Attn: Graduate Program Coordinator
200 Murray Krieger Hall
Irvine, CA 92697-3275

 

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have further questions. Thank you.

 

Best Regards,

Yuting

 

???? So, I emailed her my official transcript, but what the hell does this mean?

[rococo_realism]

To send official transcripts, you'll need to go through your previous university. That is, it has to send the official transcript directly to UC Irvine.

 

ETA: Ah, I just realized that you said that the department didn't need the official one just yet. That is strange. Perhaps they've made up their minds (!) and need official confirmation now?

Edited January 16, 2016 by rococo_realism

[anxietygirl]

Hi! Yeah, I went through the university service and had the official one sent....but like yikes!! Literally everything is stressful right now. 

[stillalivetui]

Irvine actually requires an official transcript be mailed to them. It's one of the few schools I'm applying to that required it.

[fencergirl]

UCLA also requires a physical, mailed official transcript. I would get that in the mail as soon as possible and let them know you have sent it.

[L13]

Wisconsin-Madison also asks for an official physical copy, IIRC.

[stillalivetui]

To the OP, I'm actually confused what you mean by that you submitted "unofficial transcripts." As far as I recall there was no option to upload transcripts on the online application, but merely where you enter your GPA and education history. So it sounds to me that you never did submit the required official transcripts to the department, and they only read your info from the application. In this case, it seems they want to verify your info and coursework.

[AfricanusCrowther]

1 hour ago, stillalivetui said:

As far as I recall there was no option to upload transcripts on the online application, but merely where you enter your GPA and education history.

I actually had to upload my own transcript for all the schools I applied to.

[stillalivetui]

11 minutes ago, AfricanusCrowther said:

I actually had to upload my own transcript for all the schools I applied to.

Sorry I wasn't being specific. I was referring to UC-Irvine's application. 

[AfricanusCrowther]

2 hours ago, stillalivetui said:

Sorry I wasn't being specific. I was referring to UC-Irvine's application. 

Oh! I'm silly.

[TMP]

Chill.  It's really, really hard to keep yourself together when you're so stressed and emotional during this process.  

1) They like your application

2) They like your application enough that they bothered to remind you to send them an official transcript.

3) Do it-- rush the transcript and let the administrator know that it's on the way.

4) Take a hot bubble bath and start dreaming about moving to Irvine.  

[anxietygirl]

Thanks, everyone! I really appreciate your responses.  I had an official transcript rushed to UCI and it was delivered yesterday. My POI there had originally told me that an unofficial one would be okay, but obviously that wasn't the case. I guess the waiting game continues... 

[MarkMc]

Kansas State only requires unofficial (I uploaded them on the system) or at least the Graduate School. The program I required to wanted official.  However, the lady I spoke to at the Graduate School said they only ask for official transcripts from universities where you have conferred degrees.  I'd take this as a positive that they want to verify the information and move you along in the process.

[anxietygirl]

On 1/16/2016 at 0:54 PM, stillalivetui said:

To the OP, I'm actually confused what you mean by that you submitted "unofficial transcripts." As far as I recall there was no option to upload transcripts on the online application, but merely where you enter your GPA and education history. So it sounds to me that you never did submit the required official transcripts to the department, and they only read your info from the application. In this case, it seems they want to verify your info and coursework.

Hi! Sorry for the delayed response. I emailed my unofficial transcript with my writing sample. 

[MarkMc]

Yes - then I would definitely see the request for an official copy as a positive sign!  Breathe easy!