Transcripts for US universities
Saturday, May 2nd, 2009
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A set of transcripts is the most critical component of the application requirements at all US universities without any exception. It is also something which causes maximum tension and headache to obtain in some parts of the world - primarily because it is not known to many applicants and university officials that what exactly a transcript is.
Let us dissect a transcript. What does it look like and what does it contain. On the outside, it is a sealed envelope. The envelope could be an official envelope of the issuing university or even a simple white envelope. It may even be a printed envelope provided by your target US University. It does not matter what type of envelope as long as it is sealed and provides the name of the issuing university - printed, typewritten or handwritten. The flaps of the envelope should be signed by the issuing official. The envelope should essentially contain 3 items:
1. A covering letter explaining the grading system of the university. This letter must be on the official stationary of the issuing university and signed by the registrar or equivalent. This letter must contain the address and phone number of the university which is issuing the transcripts. This letter must be in original in each envelope, do not use photocopies.
2. All the mark sheets from each year or semester. These could be attested photocopies, obviously you do not want to send your originals.
3. Attested photocopy of the degree or provisional degree. If neither is available yet, this should be explained in the covering letter.
Universities worldwide issue some sort of official document that shows all the courses taken by the student and the marks or grades obtained. In many cases these documents are provided to the student each year and the university does not necessarily maintain a database. So the only way to get a transcript for the student is to supply an attested photocopy of his or her mark sheets back to the university to be sealed in an envelope.
A registered user of app2us.com informed us that he had a very difficult time obtaining official transcripts from his university and eventually his U.S. applications were rejected. This typically happens at newly started colleges or universities where the staff has no prior experience of issuing transcripts. As an applicant, it is your and only your responsibility to understand what is a transcript, and explain it to the university officials. If you have already graduated this could involve traveling to your university, stay for a few days and get the transcripts. But you cannot leave this to chance IF your university is not very efficient in issuing transcripts.
