Transcripts

What is a transcript?

A transcript is an official copy of a student's academic record. It records all courses successfully and unsuccessfully completed and all the courses that were withdrawn after the registration deadline. Your transcript will also have the marks/grades that you have scored in each course.

For candidates from India - getting your transcripts can be a one month to one and half month process. Candidates who targeting the second round of deadlines (which is normally in Jan) - avoid applying for your transcripts in December. The holiday season might delay the process and you might miss the deadline.

Copies of your Mark sheets

If you are looking forward to meet the first round of deadlines in October and you have not applied for your transcripts then ask your admission officer whether copies of your mark sheets be enough. Most of the time they would accept your request, provided you apply for the original transcript at the earliest and give them an estimate as on when you would give them the original transcript.

P.S: Some universities are fine with copies of the transcript

There are essay questions that will ask you to explain on your academic performance. You can quote the course names mentioned in the transcripts to prove your case. Here again, avoid contradictions. If you were weak in mathematics in your academics, do not mention that math was your strong point. The admission committee might refer the transcripts to check your claim. There should be strong evidences in your transcript to back your claim. This does not mean that you have to quote your marks with every statement that you make on your strengths. However, quoting your marks strategically across the essay can be effective.