Official transcript / incomplete application troubles... How big is the impact?

[siitrasn]

So the school that I felt I submitted the strongest app have said that they're still processing documents. On the application tracker, they're telling me they haven't received my official transcript (sent Dec. 2nd) which I confirmed was sent by my undergrad institution. Admittedly, they told us not to contact them for now but I did anyway since I was worried. They said it shouldn't be that big of a problem and I could send them an unofficial copy for now.

Still, the application online says incomplete, and I've heard horror stories about committees not even bothering to look at applications that aren't complete. I've also heard of people getting in to with only 2/3 LoRs for similar programs (only applied to masters). Is anyone in the same boat or does anyone know people who have been in this situation?

Edited February 1, 2017 by siitrasn

[BellaAung]

Hey there!

I was in a very similar situtaion for SOAS University of London. My official transcripts were about a week late or so, but the admissions committe still considered my app along with unofficial copies I sent before the official ones got to them. The application status took a few days until it updated to complete, and shortly after the official transcripts arrived there, I got an offer of admissions. Don't worry much, things will work out! I wish you the best of luck!

[GeorgeC07]

As long as the official copy and the unofficial copy you uploaded for admission review are identical, you should be okay. Only one out of nine schools that I applied to asked for official transcripts to be mailed to their office before the deadline, but this issue should be program specific. So if the admission coordinator says it's okay, you should be fine. Don't select yourself out of the competition, there's still a lot of time. 

[siitrasn]

@BellaAung @GeorgeC07 thanks a lot for the replies! I'm a bit relieved to hear that other people have gone through something similar, and hopefully they're reviewing the app as we speak.

[mathandcoffee]

I'm relieved to hear that too. I've had all the transcript troubles in the world  I transferred colleges and my first undergrad college didn't send my transcripts for more than two months (in spite of 3 phone calls to check in, where I discovered they had actually forgotten to send my transcripts) and the school I actually graduated from had a records oops and instead of a double major in computer science and math, only had me as math - a big discrepancy on my applications. I'm still nervous that the records oops with my major will hurt me, in spite of sending corrected official transcripts. Fingers crossed that everything is sorted out though

[siitrasn]

@mathandcoffee Seems to be something that happens once in a while to some of us. Best of luck to you!

[rheya19]

My husband is a PhD student now, and he helped sort out applications last year. He said he saw a lot of applications missing transcripts or letters of recommendation. They still consider them though, because the departments themselves want to hurry the admission's process along and get it all sorted.

[siitrasn]

11 hours ago, rheya19 said:

My husband is a PhD student now, and he helped sort out applications last year. He said he saw a lot of applications missing transcripts or letters of recommendation. They still consider them though, because the departments themselves want to hurry the admission's process along and get it all sorted.

I see! That makes sense, and I really appreciate you chiming in to relieve my worries. Luckily, I did manage to resolve my issue, and I can only hope it didn't put me too far behind the rest of the complete apps. 

I guess most schools put emphasis on making sure students get in all their documents, but it's just a fact of life that sometimes things happen with transcripts or LORs. I'm guessing that they might sort complete and incomplete into different stacks though administratively? I.e. A good candidate with an incomplete app might go into a separate pile from top picks / first round rejects, and probably dealt with on a slightly less priority basis than initially complete apps. Just a thought, and most schools probably do it differently depending on # of applicants and selectivity.

[rheya19]

9 minutes ago, siitrasn said:

I see! That makes sense, and I really appreciate you chiming in to relieve my worries. Luckily, I did manage to resolve my issue, and I can only hope it didn't put me too far behind the rest of the complete apps. 

I guess most schools put emphasis on making sure students get in all their documents, but it's just a fact of life that sometimes things happen with transcripts or LORs. I'm guessing that they might sort complete and incomplete into different stacks though administratively? I.e. A good candidate with an incomplete app might go into a separate pile from top picks / first round rejects, and probably dealt with on a slightly less priority basis than initially complete apps. Just a thought, and most schools probably do it differently depending on # of applicants and selectivity.

The admissions/registrar/whoever-first-compiles-the-applications might sort applications with late stuff differently. But I think in the academic department you're applying to, it probably depends upon the personalities of whoever's receiving them. Does late stuff irk them? Do they go by-the-book? Are they classic absent-minded professors who don't notice that stuff? Or are they more likely looking for people whose research interests would be a good fit? I think a lot of places are the latter.

Also take into account that the profs on the admissions committee are busy people themselves outside of admissions, and your transcript from Somewhere Community College might not really appear on their radar until they're ready to decide on you and need to check the Transcript Box off.

Edited February 4, 2017 by rheya19
Typo

[siitrasn]

6 minutes ago, rheya19 said:

The admissions/registrar/whoever-first-compiles-the-applications might sort applications with late stuff differently. But I think in the academic department you're applying to, it probably depends upon the personalities of whoever's receiving them. Does late stuff irk them? Do they go by-the-book? Are they classic absent-minded professors who don't notice that stuff? Or are they more likely looking for people whose research interests would be a good fit? I think a lot of places are the latter.

Also take into account that the profs on the admissions committee are busy people themselves outside of admissions, and your transcript from Somewhere Community College might not really appear on their radar until they're ready to decide on you and need to check the Transcript Box off.

These are all great points. Really hoping that for MA/MS programs (I didn't apply for PhD programs) will focus on the fit aspect as well, since I understand these programs are often less about research fit with a particular lab or professor as opposed to future career goals, diversity, industry experience, etc. Also, part of me is hoping that they're still getting to the MA/MS applicants on the admission committee since PhDs (and deciding where funding goes) would probably be more important, but not sure if this is even a thing.

[rheya19]

3 hours ago, siitrasn said:

These are all great points. Really hoping that for MA/MS programs (I didn't apply for PhD programs) will focus on the fit aspect as well, since I understand these programs are often less about research fit with a particular lab or professor as opposed to future career goals, diversity, industry experience, etc. Also, part of me is hoping that they're still getting to the MA/MS applicants on the admission committee since PhDs (and deciding where funding goes) would probably be more important, but not sure if this is even a thing.

Most important thing to know about the difference between MAs and PhDs at admission time is that MA = money into the program, PhD = money out of the program. They'll always take another qualified MA student, because MAs usually have to pay at least part of their tuition. However the school has to find money to give to PhD students. Sad but true.

[siitrasn]

On 2/5/2017 at 5:19 AM, rheya19 said:

Most important thing to know about the difference between MAs and PhDs at admission time is that MA = money into the program, PhD = money out of the program. They'll always take another qualified MA student, because MAs usually have to pay at least part of their tuition. However the school has to find money to give to PhD students. Sad but true.

Exactly what I was hoping and one of the key reasons I decided to go the MA/MS route instead of jumping straight to PhD. Just hope that my app was competitive enough to place me in

Edited February 6, 2017 by siitrasn

[rheya19]

I realized the other day while reading a discussion thread that Harvard wanted a scan of both sides of my transcripts. I don't think I did that. I'm irrationally worried about it now. 

[siitrasn]

5 hours ago, rheya19 said:

I realized the other day while reading a discussion thread that Harvard wanted a scan of both sides of my transcripts. I don't think I did that. I'm irrationally worried about it now. 

If it makes you feel better I feel stupid for never scanning my transcripts and instead only sending a digital copy of my degree/academic history. All of my programs accepted that though since it has GPA and coursework on it.