academic transcript phd

/images/cornell/logo35pt_cornell_white.svg" alt="academic transcript phd"> Cornell University --> Graduate School

Transcript requirements.

• Requirements for All Applicants
• Additional Requirements for Applicants with International Credentials
• Requirements for Admitted Students (only applicable AFTER you are admitted)

All Applicants

All applicants must have received—or be on track to receive before matriculation as a graduate student—a baccalaureate degree from a college or university of recognized standing. For students with international credentials, an equivalent international degree is required. Transcripts are required for every college or university you have attended. If transfer credits are noted on your undergraduate transcript, you should list the transfer school on your application but there is no need to upload a separate transcript. Please inform your prospective graduate field if your name on any of your credentials will be different from the one noted on your application.

The online application requires you to upload an unofficial copy of each official transcript. To prepare your transcripts, follow the steps below:

• Do not upload transcripts that include a U.S. Social Security Number (SSN). Redact, cross out, or cover your SSN, if applicable, before scanning the document.
• The online application will not accept or properly display encrypted or password-protected documents. Official electronic transcripts (e-transcripts) must be printed first, then scanned and uploaded.
• Scan or save each transcript (and the English translation, if applicable) as a PDF, TIFF, JPEG, or GIF file. Combine multiple pages from the same transcript into one file; the file size for each upload cannot exceed 10MB. 
• Ensure each scanned or saved image is clear and easy to read before submitting your application.

Admitted students are required to submit official electronic transcripts (e-transcripts) directly to the Graduate School Admissions Office after accepting the offer of admission. Please see below for additional details.

Applicants with International Credentials — Additional Requirements

In addition to transcripts, applicants with international credentials must also provide a certified copy of the diploma and/or degree certificate for any conferred degree. All academic records must be official documents issued by the college or university and provided in the original language. A certified or notarized English translation must accompany the academic records if the original language is not English.

A complete set of academic records should include the name of the degree program in which you were enrolled, your dates of attendance, a list of courses taken each year, grades received in each course, and the date your degree was conferred (if applicable). Combine multiple pages from the same set of academic records into one file; the file size for each upload cannot exceed 10MB. 

Admitted Students

This section is only applicable to admitted students who have accepted an offer of admission from Cornell.

You must submit an official electronic transcript of your undergraduate degree, with the degree marked as conferred or awarded, to the Graduate School Admissions Office. Submit your documents as soon as possible to avoid processing delays. Documents must be received before October 1 for summer and fall admits, or before March 1 for spring admits.

• If you earned your undergraduate degree from Cornell University, you do not need to submit an official transcript.
• The Graduate School Admissions Office requires its own official electronic copy of your documents. Any transcripts or other academic records that you submitted with your application, or sent directly to your admitting program, will not fulfill the final transcript requirement. 
• If you earned your undergraduate degree at an institution outside the U.S., you must provide the transcript, a certified copy of your diploma and/or degree certificate, and a certified translation of all documents if they are not already in English. All documents must be delivered electronically.
• Any documents sent to the Graduate School Admissions Office will become the property of the university and physical copies will not be retained.

Electronic submission is required

Transcripts and other required academic records must be delivered to Cornell electronically either by your institution OR by a credential verification service. We do not accept transcripts directly from students. Preferred providers include:

• CertiFile through ApplyWeb ( recommended , see below)
• National Student Clearinghouse
• TEC – The Evaluation Company (formerly Spantran)
• World Education Services (WES) (Course-by-Course ICAP only)
• Any NACES member credential evaluation service
• We also accept transcripts that have been certified and uploaded directly to your application by IIE, or Amideast or were submitted through SOPHAS, VMCAS, or LSAC.

Important Notes:

• We have download accounts with CertiFile, Parchment, TEC, and WES.
• If you are using another service, or if documents are being electronically delivered by your institution, please have transcripts or retrieval instructions delivered to [email protected] .
• E-transcripts with a retrieval deadline or expiration date should not be submitted to the Graduate School Admissions Office between March 1-June 1.
• Due to the volume of transcripts we receive and process, we are unable to send a confirmation receipt when we receive your transcript. We will only notify you directly if we are missing any documents.
• If you are having financial or logistical difficulties meeting the final transcript requirement, please use our  online request form  to contact us regarding your options.

What is CertiFile? Is it required?

The CertiFile service provides Cornell with verified official transcripts and other required documents and prevents the submission of fraudulent or unsuitable credentials. The documents are delivered directly to our office, you will be notified immediately when they arrive, and there is no expiration date for us to retrieve them. Additionally, your verified credentials will be stored in your Digitary  wallet so you can access and share them with employers, recruiters, or other schools whenever you need to. Using CertiFile fully satisfies the Graduate School Admissions Office’s transcript requirements.

How much does it cost?

Students with international credentials (or a combination of U.S. and international credentials) will pay $205 USD to have them verified, evaluated, and delivered electronically to Cornell. Students with U.S. (domestic) credentials will pay $56 USD to have them verified and delivered electronically to Cornell.

How do I place a CertiFile order? When should I start?

You can initiate a CertiFile order from your ApplyWeb activity page at any time after accepting your offer of admission. If you are still enrolled in your current degree program, wait until after you graduate to place your order. Please confirm with your school that your degree has been posted before ordering. An applicant can update an existing order for $65 USD (international) or $25 (domestic).

I already have credentials stored in my Digitary or MyEquals account. What should I do?

Initiate a CertiFile order through the Admission Supplement or your ApplyWeb activity page . When prompted, indicate that you want to attach existing academic credentials from your Digitary or MyEquals account, then follow the directions to select the documents you wish to have delivered to Cornell. The CertiFile service will deliver the credentials directly to Cornell on your behalf for free.

Who should I contact for help with my order?

You can find the answers to many of your questions using ApplyWeb’s CertiFile help page . For additional technical assistance, email [email protected] . 

Why should you consider Cornell?

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Keep up-to-date on postgraduate related issues with our quick reads written by students, postdocs, professors and industry leaders.

What is an Academic Transcript?

• By Dr Harry Hothi
• December 24, 2020

An academic transcript is a university document which gives a complete breakdown of each individual module or subject you studied for your degree and the grade or mark that you were awarded for each module. This academic transcript will also give the level or credit value of each module and how it contributes to the final degree grade that you achieved. For example, your final year dissertation is likely to worth a greater number of credits than a single taught module.

Note that the academic transcript is an official university document and will detail the final marks that you were awarded after confirmation by the relevant examination boards. These will not include provisional or predicted marks if you are a current student yet to complete your degree (for example).

Professional bodies also provide transcripts that are similar in structure to the university academic transcript format. That is that these will give a breakdown of individual modules or units of study and the mark or grade awarded for each.

Note also that academic transcripts may be referred to using different terms depending on the university or country. These may include terms such as a record of achievement, a statement of learning, an academic record, a transcript of records, a diploma supplement, graduate diploma or a permanent record.

Why do I need an academic transcript?

You may be asked to provide a copy of your academic transcript when applying for certain jobs or if applying for a postgraduate degree such as a PhD . These may then be used by potential employers or institutions to determine which specific subjects you undertook. To that end, this document needs to be official certified by the university or institution you gained your degree at. The normal format here is for the academic transcript to be presented on the university’s letter-headed paper and either signed or stamped by the registry office.

How do I get a copy of my academic transcript?

Most universities in the UK will automatically send a paper copy of your academic transcript to your home address, together with your degree certificate, after you complete your degree. It is important that you keep this copy safe; replacement copies can be obtained but universities usually charge a small fee for this. For example, the University of London guidance is that a replacement copy will cost £25.

Note also that academic transcripts can only be requested from a university by the student that completed the degree. Requests from others (such as potential employers) are not permitted.

What information does an academic transcript contain?

This is an official transcript which details your full name, the university or institution that you studied at, the full title and level of your degree, the degree class you were awarded, a list of all courses, subjects, modules or units you undertook and the marks or grades that you were awarded for each of these.

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Transcripts

When you apply: upload a copy of the official transcript to applyweb.

• All applicants must upload a copy, front and back, of their official transcript/academic record issued by the Registrar or Records Office to the applicant, to ApplyWeb for each bachelor’s, master’s, professional, or doctoral degree earned or in progress. The copy of the official transcript is used for initial review by the graduate program faculty.
• A downloaded transcript from your school portal or system is an unofficial transcript and not acceptable for review.
• If you are attending or have graduated from a Non-U.S. institution, review the Required Academic Credentials from Non-U.S. Institutions for requirements by country.
• If you have community or junior college, non-degree, or study abroad coursework, indicate this information in your curriculum vitae (CV) or resume. Do not submit any transcripts from a community or junior college, non-degree, or study abroad coursework to the Rackham Graduate School.
• Applicants will not upload non-degree work unless the program of application requires it under the program specific information cont’d page on the ApplyWeb application.

Once You Are Offered Admission: Submit the Official Transcript

After an offer of admission is made, an official transcript sent directly from the registrar’s office must be submitted to Rackham.

• Submit an official transcript/academic record, front and back, issued by the Registrar or Records Office for each bachelor’s, master’s, professional, or doctoral degree earned. Attachments from students are not official.
• Submit only official transcripts/academic records. These bear the issuing institution’s seal and the official signature of the Registrar or Recorder of Records.
• U-M Ann Arbor Applicants (Current or Previous Students): Do not submit your U-M Ann Arbor transcript. Rackham will obtain your U-M Ann Arbor transcript internally. Submit only degree transcripts from other institutions you attended including U-M Dearborn or U-M Flint.

Submitting the Official Transcript/Academic Record to Rackham

Submit an e-transcript or paper transcript.

• E-transcripts are strongly preferred. Do not submit the same transcript both electronically and by paper.

Submit Electronically

Request the Registrar (or Recorder of Records) send an electronic transcript and Transcripts/Academic Records Submission Form to [email protected] . You will need to complete the submission form and request that your school send it with your transcript to us. If it is not possible to include the Transcripts/Academic Records Submission Form, do not mail or submit separately . Documents not emailed by the Registrar (or Recorder of Records) are not official and will not be accepted.

• If your institution uses National Student Clearing House as their electronic transcript vendor, select “Electronic Transcript Exchange” as the delivery method if that is an option.
• Admitted students have the option (not mandatory) to use Certifile transcript submission through their ApplyWeb account . ApplyWeb has partnered with Educational Perspectives (EP), MyCreds/MesCertif , My eQuals , and Digitary Core to verify, evaluate, and deliver your official credentials electronically to our office.
• Your credential elevations or verifications will be submitted directly to the Rackham Graduate School.
• You only need to request one set for all Rackham applications if applying to more than one program.

Submit by Mail

If an e-transcript option is not available, submit paper documents in the envelope sealed and/or stamped by the institution issuing the educational documents and the Transcripts/Academic Records Submission Form.

Mail the documents to:

Rackham Graduate School Attn: Transcripts/UMID: or Transcripts/Date of Birth (mm/dd/yyyy) 915 E. Washington Street Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1070 USA

The Transcripts/Academic Records Submission Form is optional but it is a helpful aid in matching your documents to your record.

Submit in Person

If you are on campus and prefer to deliver them in person to Rackham, you may place your educational documents in the secure drop box, located in front of Rackham on East Washington Street. Put them in an envelope and include your name, U-M ID, name of program, and term of anticipated graduation. Documents placed in the drop box will not be returned.

Students may drop off their educational documents in-person in the Admissions Office Monday through Friday from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Students can come to the Student Services office located on the lower level of the Rackham Graduate School, 915 East Washington St, Suite 0120.

Students requiring their original documents returned to them need to make complete copies of the original documents, front and back. The original document and the copy must be brought to the office together. Our staff will compare the two documents and return the original. For convenience, there is a copier available for student use in the Student Services office. Students, faculty, and staff receive an allocation for each term to print at Sites locations and are charged for additional printing .

If you are applying to graduate this semester, the transcript/academic record must be received by Rackham before a degree will be awarded or further degree progress can be made.

Original educational documents will not be returned. All documentation received becomes the property of the University of Michigan and will not be returned.

Transcript Frequently Asked Questions

What is an official transcript.

An official transcript/academic record must be:

• An original or an attested copy with an original institutional seal and signature of the Registrar.
• The attested copy should be issued and signed or stamped by the same office that issues original documents from the degree granting institution. An apostille certification is not necessary. Notarized copies are not acceptable.

What Is Not an Official Transcript?

• A “true” copy prepared and signed by a faculty member, city or government official, or notary public is not considered official.
• An evaluation provided by a credential service, for example Educational Credentials Evaluators (ECE) or World Education Services (WES), is not accepted by Rackham. Exception: the Rackham Graduate School will accept electronic evaluations from Educational Perspectives (EP) .
• Documents emailed to our office by anyone that is not a Registrar (Recorder of Records) or equivalent.

I ordered an electronic transcript and can’t upload the file to ApplyWeb. What should I do?

If you are unable to upload a copy of your official e-transcript due to security settings, there are several options:

• Print a copy of your e-transcript and scan the printed transcript for upload.
• Take a screenshot or photograph of your transcript and save the image as a PDF for upload. The Adobe Scan app is an option for this process.

What type of transcript should I order for Rackham?

Submit only official transcripts. These bear the issuing institution’s seal and the official signature of the Registrar (or Recorder of Records).

For those enrolled in degree study at the time of application, submit only the most recent in-progress transcript for that degree.

Which document formats are not accepted by Rackham?

• A scanned copy of an official transcript (only allowed for the upload on ApplyWeb -Step 1).
• Academic records printed from your school’s website.
• A paper transcript that is not sealed in the institution’s envelope.
• An evaluation provided by a credential service, for example, Educational Credentials Evaluators (ECE) or World Education Services (WES). Exception: the Rackham Graduate School will accept electronic evaluations from Educational Perspectives (EP).
• A “true” copy prepared and signed by a faculty member, city or government official, or notary public.

Do I need to submit an updated transcript to Rackham after the grades are available for the term in progress?

No. Do not submit an updated transcript to Rackham.

I applied previously and submitted a copy of my official transcripts then. Do I need to submit them again?

Applicants must upload a copy of their official transcripts with each application that is submitted to the Rackham Graduate School. One set of official transcripts from the school’s registrar’s office will be due, if an offer of admission is made.

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Transcripts

For specific questions regarding your application, contact your program directly. See your specific  program webpage  for its contact information.

Answers to common questions can be found on our FAQs page.

While completing your online application, you will be required to submit one scanned copy of your transcript or academic record from each school you have attended. We do not require official hard or digital copies of your transcripts for the application process, and we strongly encourage applicants to not submit official versions of their transcripts with their application. 

When uploading your transcripts, please be mindful of the following:

• Applicants with transcripts not in English must include an official English translation when submitting their application. 
• Make sure your scanned transcripts are legible. Illegible transcripts will not be reviewed.
• Any fraudulent activity or discrepancies found between uploaded and official transcript(s) will result in the immediate revocation of admission and/or dismissal from Northwestern University. 
• Students who are admitted and decide to enroll in their program will be required to submit their final, official transcripts to The Graduate School prior to the start of their first term.  Official transcripts must be submitted directly by the issuing institution.

• Transcript FAQs

All academic records uploaded to your application must be in English or accompanied by a translation to English. We do not accept transcripts in any form sent via post or email during the initial application review process.

• PhD/Master's Application Process
• Admissions - Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When is a final official transcript required?

A final official transcript is required only after an offer of admission is extended to you and you accept that offer.

For admitted students only:

• The transcript must be sent to us directly from the issuing institution or its authorized agent, properly signed and/or authenticated.
• If the transcript is for a degree program, please wait to send the final transcript until the degree has been awarded and is marked on your official transcript. No interim transcript is necessary.
• If you received a degree from the institution, the final official transcript (or an accompanying degree certificate) must indicate that the degree was awarded.
• If the issuing institution does not indicate that a degree was awarded on their transcripts (common at institutions outside of the United States), please also request a separate degree certificate to accompany the transcript. We cannot accept a final transcript for a degree program unless we receive both a transcript of grades and an indication that the degree was awarded. 

Final official transcripts may be certified electronic transcripts or traditional paper transcripts. PDFs sent as email attachments will not be accepted.

• Certified Electronic Transcripts (preferred method):

If your institution is able to send a certified electronic transcript (from Parchment, eSCRIP-SAFE, Digitary, National Student Clearinghouse, etc.), it should be sent to:

[email protected]

This address is for institutional use only. Transcripts sent to this address by the student will not be accepted.

•   Traditional Paper Transcripts:

If your institution will be mailing a paper transcript, please have it sent to the appropriate address, below. The transcript must be received in an envelope sealed by the issuing institution and contain authentication, such as a signature or raised seal.

For courier services, such as UPS, DHL, FedEx, etc.:

Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Graduate Admissions 1 Hillhouse Avenue Room 302 New Haven, CT 06511

For US Postal Mail (USPS) only:

Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Graduate Admissions P.O. Box 208236 New Haven, CT 06520-8236

Q: What kind of transcript do I need to submit with my application?

When you complete an application for admission, you must upload a transcript or academic record for all colleges/universities you have attended. This may be an informal transcript that you download from your school’s information system, or it may be a transcript issued to you personally from your college/university registrar. All transcripts you upload to your application must include: 

• The institution name
• Course names and grade information
• Any academic comments that would be a part of an official transcript

If you upload a PDF of an electronic transcript, please make sure no additional authentication is needed, as transcripts requiring authentication will not upload successfully.  Do not submit an official transcript to us by mail. Mailed transcripts are unnecessary during the application process and will be discarded. Official transcripts will only be required for admitted students and they will receive specific instructions about this after they have accepted an offer to enroll.  Please note: if your transcript includes sensitive identifying information, such as your Social Security Number, you may redact this before scanning and uploading the transcript to your application.

Q: What does 'unofficial transcript' mean?

We define an unofficial transcript as any academic record in your possession, such as:

• A transcript issued to you 
• A record of your academic performance obtained from your institution’s SIS portal

Please Note: All academic records uploaded to your online application are treated as unofficial.

Q: What does 'final official transcript' mean?

We define a final official transcript as a transcript received directly from the issuing institution (whether on paper and still in the envelope or a certified electronic copy) that is properly signed/authenticated.

• If this transcript is in support of your baccalaureate degree-granting institution, it must indicate the award of the baccalaureate degree (or its foreign equivalent). 
• If this transcript is in support of an advanced degree program that you have completed at the same or another institution, it must indicate the award of that degree.
• If this transcript is in support of work taken in a non-degree program, it will contain all coursework taken.

A final official transcript is only required if you have been offered admission and have accepted that offer. Specific instructions will be sent to incoming students in May.

Please Note: Your final official transcript will be reviewed and compared to any transcript or academic record uploaded in support of your application and may also undergo independent verification. 

Q: May I upload a diploma or certificate of achievement or other non-academic record document?

Yes, if you feel they positively support your application, you may upload these as a Supplementary Material when you apply. Do not upload diplomas or certificates in the Academic History section in lieu of a transcript or academic record. 

Q: My institution sends transcripts electronically. Are you able to accept them?

During the application process you must upload your academic record/transcript, which may take the form of an electronic transcript (however, please ensure no additional authentication is required to view the transcript, as this will cause problems with your upload). 

Following admission and acceptance of an offer of admission, you may request that your institution send your official electronic transcript to [email protected] . (Please note: transcripts sent to this address from applicants who have not accepted an offer of admission will be discarded.)

Q: My institution does not issue a traditional transcript or a record of my academic performance reflecting courses, credits, and grades. What should I do?

You should upload the academic performance document that your institution typically issues.

Q: My academic record from my institution's SIS Portal has an error in a course grade. Can I correct this error?

No. You should not attempt to modify the information reflected on the academic record downloaded from your institution’s SIS Portal.  If there are errors, you must have those errors corrected before downloading the record.

Q: Should I send in, or have sent in, an official transcript in support of my application?

No, a traditional paper or electronic transcript is neither required nor necessary for the review of your application. Instead, please upload an unofficial transcript or other copy of your academic record, as described above.

We do not accept transcripts sent via post or email during the initial application review process. All documentation must be uploaded directly to your application. 

Q: Do I need to have a transcript sent to you if I have uploaded one with my application?

No, you should not send any transcripts to us at the point of application. Instead, you should upload an unofficial copy of your transcript or academic record when you apply.

Applicants who are admitted and who accept an offer of admission will need to send us a final official transcript by July 15. Admitted students will receive specific instructions about this in May. 

Q: I have already asked that a transcript be sent to you. Should or can I upload a copy as well?

Yes. You must upload your academic record to your application prior to submission. Any transcript received by mail will be discarded.

Q: Can I upload my academic record (unofficial) transcripts obtained from my institution’s web site?

Yes. Academic records, such as those frequently available to enrolled students from an institutional Student Information System portal, can be uploaded. However, please make certain that such an academic record contains course identifiers, names, and grades; or consider uploading a scanned copy of your transcript.

In addition, if your institution uses your Social Security Number as an institutional identification number, please ensure that you obscure (using whiteout or a black marker) that number before scanning and uploading to your application.

Q: I am not able to upload a copy of my transcript. May I send it to you via e-mail or upload a self-prepared transcript?

No. Please upload a copy of your academic record/scanned copy of your transcript, which is required in order to submit your application.

We are unable to accommodate and will not accept/process transcripts sent to us via mail or email, whether from an applicant or from an institution. Do not self-prepare your own transcript, as it will be disregarded. 

Q: My uploaded transcript/s already indicate/s the award of the baccalaureate or advanced degree. If I am admitted do I have to send another final official transcript?

Yes. If you are offered admission and you accept that offer, you must have the institution send us a copy of your final official transcript. Incoming students will receive more specific instructions starting in May. 

Q: Do I have to upload both the non-English and English translated transcript?

Yes. If your original transcript is in a language other than English, please upload both the original and the translation.

Q: The academic record I have from my school SIS portal does not contain the name of my school, nor does it have a 'transcript legend.' Is that a problem?

No. While it is preferred that any academic record you upload to your application contain the institution name and a ‘legend,’ we understand that this is not always possible for academic records from institutional portals. If you have or can obtain an unofficial copy of your transcript, you can upload that instead.

Q: My transcript has been evaluated by a credential evaluation service (e.g., WES). Can that evaluation be uploaded in lieu of my transcript?

Yes. The evaluation must contain course and grade information, however. Please note, that if you are offered admission and accept that offer, an original transcript will be required directly from the issuing institution.

Q: Do I need to upload a transcript from my study abroad program?

A separate transcript from the study abroad institution is not required if the information also appears on your home institution’s transcript. You may upload a copy of your home institution transcript to reflect your study abroad coursework.

If your home institution transcript does not reflect your study abroad coursework, then you should upload a separate transcript from the study abroad institution. 

Q: Due to the impact of COVID-19, my institution adopted a Universal Pass or Credit/Fail option for Spring 2020 courses. Will my chance of admission be impacted by this change?

No. Yale’s graduate programs evaluate applicants holistically and will take the significant disruptions of COVID-19 into account when reviewing students’ transcripts and other admissions materials relating to Spring 2020. In particular, we will respect decisions regarding the adoption of Credit/Fail and other grading options during this unprecedented period, whether they are made by institutions or by individual students.

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Who is this for.

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Your transcript will include information about your academic career at Harvard College, Harvard Griffin GSAS, or Radcliffe, including the classes you took and your academic performance. 

Official transcripts 

The Faculty of Arts and Sciences has partnered with Parchment to issue official transcripts. You can order your transcript 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and you can track the status of your order online at any time. 

Order an official transcript

Unofficial transcripts

If you graduated after 1981, you can obtain an unofficial PDF version of your transcript.

Step 1:  Log into my.harvard  with your HUID and PIN or  HarvardKey .

Step 2: Click on the Alumni tab . From there you can download an unofficial transcript.

Additional information:

• If you do not know your HUID and PIN and do not have a HarvardKey, we will not be able to reset this information for you. You will need to order an official transcript. 
• We cannot email unofficial transcripts. 

Current Students

Current Harvard College and Harvard Griffin GSAS students can view and download unofficial transcripts through my.harvard.

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View unofficial transcript instructions

Interpret your transcript

The guides below provide point of reference to determine a student's individual performance within the context of their academic career. 

Rate of Work

Beginning with the 2015–2016 academic year, the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) adopted a new credit system which provides credits based on the length of each course:

• 4 credits for semester-long courses
• 8 credits for year-long courses. 

Prior to 2015–2016 , FAS courses were evaluated as either full courses or half courses:

• 4 credits for a half course
• 8 credits for a full course

The normal rate of work for courses prior to 2015–2016 is the equivalent of 16 credits (four half courses) each term or 32 credits (four full courses) per year. FAS does not grant additional credit for laboratory or discussion sections. 

Rate of work, Impact on Financial Aid and Federal Reporting:  The standard rate of work for Harvard College student is 16 credits per term, although Harvard College considers all undergraduates to be full-time even when eligible for fewer credits. If you enroll in fewer than 12 credits, it may impact your eligibility for Federal and State funding and result in adjustments to the financial aid amount. Further, the University may be required to report to the federal government the number of students who are taking fewer than 12 credits as part-time. For inquiries about Financial Aid, please contact the Financial Aid office at [email protected] . 

Course levels

General courses.

Economics, Government, History, Psychology, and Religion courses

Grading System

Satisfactory and Passing Grades

Non-Letter Grades

Grade Point Averages

Beginning in September 2003, the Faculty of Arts and Sciences moved to the 4-point scale. Grade Point Averages reported on the transcript for students entering Harvard College in September 2003 are based on the 4-point scale. 

The transcript for continuing students in attendance as of September 2003 reports both Annual Rank (based on the 15-point scale) and Grade Point Averages (based on the 4-point scale) for the semesters the student attended prior to September 2003. 

15 point scale to GPA Conversion Chart

Additional Radcliffe College transcript information

As of July 1, 1966, the FAS Registrar's Office certifies transcripts for alumni of Radcliffe College. Beginning with the academic year 1962, the Radcliffe College A.B. or S.B. degree awarded to you is conferred upon you by Harvard University. The S.B. degree program is accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. 

Additional GSAS transcript information

Minimum standard.

The minimum standard for satisfactory work is a B average in each academic year. 

Incomplete Grades (INC)

• A grade of C or INC is offset by a grade of A, and a D by two As (no account is taken of plus and minus). 
• A grade of INC  is granted only at the discretion of the instructor. A graduate student who receives a grade of INC must complete the work of the course before the end of the term following that in which the course was taken. If the work is not submitted by that time the INC becomes a permanent grade. A graduate student may petition the Dean's Office for an extension of time to complete the work of the incomplete course. 
• Grade point averages are not calculated for students in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.
• A unit of TIME  is ungraded independent work equivalent to one half course or four credits. 

Graduate students who cross register into another Harvard School should refer to that school's transcript legend for information about their Grading System. 

Undergraduate rank list

From 1966 through August 2003, rather than assigning individual rank in class to students, Harvard College placed undergraduates in one of six Rank List Groups at the end of each academic year. Prior to 1966, Harvard College used various rules to define rank list, though the overall approach was quite similar. 

• Harvard College GPAs are counted cumulatively, not by semester

Undergraduate rank list values

To calculate the undergraduate rank list, Harvard College assigned the twelve categories of letter grades numerical equivalents on a fifteen- point scale. (See Grade Point Averages under Interpret your transcript ). 

Minimum Requirements for Rank List Groups

Dean's List

Any student whose cumulative or annual Rank List Group is I, II, or III with a satisfactory record is placed on the Dean’s List during the following term.

John Harvard and Harvard College Scholarships

Students whose annual Rank List Group is I or II at the end of a full-time academic year are awarded an honorary, non-stipendiary scholarship:

• Group I students receive the John Harvard Scholarship
• Group II students receive the Harvard College Scholarship

Students of the sophomore, junior, and senior classes in the top 5% of their respective classes will be designated John Harvard Scholars, based on the grade point average of the previous academic year. Students of the sophomore, junior, and senior classes in the top 10% of their respective classes who are not designated John Harvard Scholars will be designated Harvard College Scholars (if not already selected as a John Harvard Scholar). In years when John Harvard Scholars comprise 10% or more of classes due to ties, there are no Harvard College Scholars designated. 

A student’s annual GPA will still be used to determine these awards, and to be eligible students must complete the full year, and be in good academic and disciplinary standing. Announcements will be sent out by mid-November.

Academic Year 2022 - 2023

The GPA cutoff for these honorary scholarships are as follows:

John Harvard Scholarship GPA Cutoffs:

• Rising Sophomores: 4.000
• Rising Juniors: 4.000
• Rising Seniors: 4.000

Harvard College Scholarship: none designated 

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• if you have questions about interpreting a transcript

Due to high volume, please, allow 3-5 business days for a response. Our Information and Records Management Team reviews each request in turn. If you have already submitted your request, please, do not initiate a new request.

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Official Transcripts & Degree Conferral Documents

Main navigation.

The information on this page is for admitted students starting graduate study in 2024 . Admitted students starting graduate study in 2025 or later will be required to follow new guidelines for official transcripts & degree conferral documents .

After you accept your offer of admission, please arrange for your official transcripts and degree documents to be sent directly to Graduate Admissions as soon as possible.

Check Your Status Page

After accepting the offer of admission, refer to the Matriculation Checklist on your application status page  to see which documents you are required to submit and where to send them. 

Required Documents

We require official documents from all post-secondary institutions where you were enrolled in a degree program for at least one academic year.

• Undergraduate program documents (associate’s & bachelor’s level): Final official transcript(s) showing completion of coursework required for the degree, degree earned, and the date of degree conferral. If from an international institution, additional documents probably are needed - official degree conferral/graduation document(s).
• Graduate program documents (master’s & doctoral level): If applicable, official graduate transcript(s). In-progress documents are all that are usually required. Only in the following cases must the graduate transcript be final and degree conferral/graduation documents be included: those needed for a TOEFL waiver or following a 3-year undergraduate degree from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal or Oceania countries.
• If the documents are not in English, then institution-produced or certified translations are required, in addition to the official original-language documents.

Delivery Methods

Preferred methods.

• Parchment: This is the preferred method for receiving official documents from U.S. institutions. Select “Stanford University - Graduate Admissions” as the recipient.
• If you plan to apply for transfer credit for graduate work completed at an international institution, we recommend that you obtain a Course-by-Course evaluation. Otherwise, a Document-by-Document evaluation is sufficient to matriculate into graduate study at Stanford.
• Note that Stanford’s assessment of U.S. bachelor’s degree equivalency may differ from what is listed on your WES evaluation. Refer to our eligibility guidelines .

Other Methods

If you cannot obtain official documents using one of the preferred methods, we will accept documents sent directly by the issuing institution using one of the methods below:

• Certified Electronic Transcripts: Secure, electronically delivered transcripts that are digitally signed and properly certified by the issuing institution are accepted from the issuing institution or its authorized agent.
• Your official transcripts and/or degree conferral documents become the property of Stanford University once we receive them.
• We are unable to accommodate student requests to access physical official transcripts received by our office.
• In the rare case that your institution will issue only one official transcript in your lifetime, please submit a ticket to Graduate Admissions to discuss potential options for your situation.

If using one of the above methods, please arrange for the official documents to be sent directly to Graduate Admissions, not to your graduate program.  You may find the contact information for Graduate Admissions on your application status page , after accepting the offer of admission.

Not Accepted

The following documents are not considered official:

• Transcripts uploaded within the online application
• Transcripts sent as email attachments by the student
• To be considered official, transcripts physically delivered by the student must be in an institution-sealed envelope.

If you have questions about submitting your official documents,  submit a service request  (SUNet login required).

What are Academic Transcripts & How to Get Them?

• April 22, 2024
• Reading Time: 5 minutes

Table of contents

• Anand Patinge

Lead, Brand

When universities or corporations ask for your academic transcripts, they ask for your proof of education. They’re looking for a record detailing all the subjects you’ve studied, and the grades you’ve scored from your institute.

Common names for academic transcripts

An academic transcript is also known as

• Report card
• Cumulative record file
• Academic certificate
• Diploma supplement
• Academic record
• Transcript of records
• Permanent record
• Record of achievement
• Statement of learning

What details do academic transcripts include?

Academic transcripts must have the following:

• Full name of the institute with location
• Full name of the student
• Board for school education
• Grades for all semesters
• Complete name of the course

Your academic transcript could look something like this:

Difference between academic transcripts, certificates, diplomas, and degrees

Difference between a transcript and a mark sheet.

While you’ll have many mark sheets for different years of education, a transcript is like a record that must  include  your mark sheets.

Difference between a transcript and a certificate

You get a certificate when you complete a degree program. Whereas you get an academic transcript (which includes your certificate) to get a detailed proof of education; a detail of all the grades you’ve scored for every subject.

Difference between a transcript and a diploma

An academic transcript is a document containing academic information. A diploma, on the other hand, is an educational qualification.

Difference between a transcript and a degree

While a degree signifies you’ve completed an academic program, an academic transcript provides information about the degree, such as subjects studied, grades, exams taken, etc.

When to request an academic transcript

When you apply to universities abroad, they will ask for your academic transcript. You will also need it to apply for your visa to study abroad.

Here’s a list of all the study abroad visa documents you’ll need, presented by  GradRight :

If you’re still studying at an institute at the time of application, you’ll need to submit an unofficial/provisional academic transcript. But if you’ve already graduated at the time of application, you won’t need to apply for your academic record. You would have already received it as per the procedure.

Make sure to include a backlog certificate along with the rest of the documents you’ve submitted (if you haven’t cleared an exam on the first attempt).

The ideal time to request the transcript is 1-2 weeks before you submit your application form to your desired university.

Formats accepted while submitting an academic transcript

Universities usually accept the following formats while assessing students’ applications:

A scanned version of an official academic transcript

You must make sure this scanned version has a stamp or a signature. This will certify the transcript.

An electronic copy of an interim/provisional transcript

As mentioned above, if you’re applying for your desired university before you’ve graduated from your current university, you can submit an interim transcript at the time of application.

An e-transcript officially obtained from a third-party electronic system

If you have access to an electronic system, such as Digitary, you can submit an official academic transcript obtained through it.

Screenshot images

This will be accepted if you’re unable to obtain your transcript.

Some typical guidelines to ensure your document is formatted in the right manner include:

• checking if grades and names of institutions are easily identifiable
• saving the document in PDF format, with a file size of less than 10 MB
• checking image quality before uploading
• ensuring the resolution is of 200 dpi wherever possible
• scanning in black and white or grayscale

Please note that these acceptable formats may vary from one institute to another.

Self-evaluation in an academic transcript

Most academic records will not require you to include a self-evaluation section with the transcript. But there are a few exceptions, and some universities may ask for it. Here are some guidelines on how to go about it.

• Write a brief description of your favorite subjects, and also mention the reasons why.
• Write about the subjects you feel you’re weak in and how you overcame these challenges.
• Evaluate practical experiences you’ve had in the duration of the course.
• Provide an insight into how the course has helped make you a more capable person.

The entire section shouldn’t be more than 150 words. It also needs to generate a good impression of you. Make sure that, even when you write about your weaknesses, you write them as opportunities for growth, and not qualities that may make you come across as a bad student.

Academic transcripts: 8 things to keep in mind

• They must be clear and readable
• The details provided in the transcript must be presented in a language recognized by the institute. If it’s not recognized by the institute of your choice, you will need to get it translated into the language accepted by them. It should be noted that some institutes may ask you to have it translated by an authorized body.
• You can submit an unofficial academic transcript at the time of application submission, but you must ensure that the final academic transcript you submit is official.
• Make sure your academic transcripts have no grammatical errors or spelling mistakes.
• It is important that all the information provided on the transcript be correct. Cross-check with your institute at the time of collection.
• If you’re applying to an undergraduate course, you’ll need to include academic reports from Class 12, or an undergraduate diploma if applicable.
• If you’re applying to a graduate course, your academic reports must include information about your undergraduate courses.
• Before applying to any university abroad, read the document checklist and find out if you need to submit a backlog certificate. This certificate is proof to show you have no backlogs.

Need help finding a university that’s the best fit for you? Take help from us at  GradRight !

Academic transcripts: more questions, answered

Should I provide documentation for every school I’ve attended?

Yes. If not, there could be a delay in processing your application. Mention all the colleges, universities, and technical schools you’ve attended.

You should also include details of your graduate work, community college courses, evening school, CLEP exams, and any other education for which you’ve received academic credit.

What if I haven’t received academic credit for some training courses? Can I include those in the transcript?

No. Don’t include courses for which you haven’t received academic credit. Examples of these kinds of courses include short courses and Navy, Army, or Air Force Service Schools.

If my institute won’t reproduce my transcripts, will universities abroad accept a photocopy of the transcripts?

Yes. Usually, universities will accept a photocopy as long as it’s presented directly from your current institute and is verified as a true copy by the relevant authority.

To make sure your desired university accepts this copy, send your current university’s controller of exams a copy of your academic transcript along with a copy of the completed Transcript Request Form, and have them verify it and stamp the copy. This will prove that your document is the true copy. Then, send out this verified document to your desired university.

What documents need to support academic transcripts?

• Backlog certificate: If you have any backlogs, you’ll need a certificate that shows you’ve cleared them. Even if you have no backlogs, some universities do still ask for a no backlog certificate.
• Completed application form and fee: Make sure you submit your application before the deadline. Have all your documents ready, and pay the exact amount.
• Entrance test scores like that of GRE, SAT, and GMAT: Universities will usually have a certain range within which you’ll need to score to get in or a cut-off.
• Letters of recommendation: This document, issued either by your professor or manager with whom you’ve worked in the past, is proof of your credibility as a student or employee. This document testifies to your expertise, achievements, and skills. There are 2 different types of LORs: Academic and Professional.

For an academic LOR, the following attributes need to be mentioned: your academic performance in a subject, co-curricular activities you’ve excelled in, relevant research work or projects, and specific incidents that prove your good work ethic and expertise.

For a professional LOR, attributes like your leadership abilities, soft skills, specific work incidents that showcase your strengths, and other areas of expertise need to be mentioned.

• Financial documents: These would include your bank account statement, scholarship letters that show your financial capacity, loan approval letters, and so on. You’d also need to submit a copy of your passport.

Need help with your student loan? Reach out to us at  FundRight .

• CV: This short career summary will be helpful to understand you as an employee and what fields you do best in.
• Personal essay: This is an essay that shows the admission committee who you are and why you deserve to be a student of your desired college.
• Tests for Eglish language proficiency: IELTS is one such test widely accepted by several universities worldwide.

A master storyteller, Anand has enriched multiple entities with captivating designs, compelling messaging, and impactful media campaigns. Beyond work, you can find him feeding stray dogs, exploring art, and watching insiprational documentaries.

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How to Get Your Official Academic Transcript

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An essential, often forgotten component to your graduate admissions application is your academic transcript . Your graduate application is not complete until your official academic transcript is received.

What Is an Official Academic Transcript?

Your official academic transcript lists all the courses that you have taken and your grades earned. It is "official" because it is sent directly from your college or university to the graduate admissions office and it bears the official college or university stamp, signifying its validity.

How Do You Request Your Official Academic Transcript?

Request your transcripts by contacting the Registrar's Office at your university. Stop by the office and you can complete a series of forms, pay fees, and you're on your way. Some institutions allow students to request transcripts online. Visit the Registrar's Office webpage to determine if your institution provides online transcript services.

What Do You Need to Request Your Official Academic Transcript?

Have the addresses for all the graduate schools to which you are applying on hand. You'll need to provide the Registrar's Office with each address. Be prepared to pay a fee for each transcript that you request, typically $10-$20 each.

When Do You Request Your Official Academic Transcript?

Regardless of whether you request your transcript online or in person, you must process your transcript order early, well before the admissions deadline. What many applicants don't realize is that the official transcript is sent directly from the Registrar's Office at their university to the graduate admissions offices of the schools to which they are applying. The Registrar's Offices of most institutions require at least 10 business days or about 2 weeks to send official transcripts. It’s a good idea to check with your university well beforehand to ensure that you request your official academic transcripts on time.

In addition, the admissions season is a very busy time, so it’s a good idea to request transcripts even earlier than the guidelines set by the Registrar's Office. Allow for time to resend the transcripts if necessary. Sometimes transcripts are lost in the mail. Your graduate admissions application is not complete until your official academic transcripts are received, so don't let something silly like missing transcripts jeopardize your application.

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PhD & MFA: Transcripts

Where should i send my transcripts.

All applicants must upload copies of their transcripts directly to the appropriate section in the online application . Please ensure you upload a high-resolution image of your transcript; scans are preferred. Foreign language transcripts need an English Translation.

Do not send any transcripts by mail.  Do not email your transcript to our office.

Do not have your institution or a third party (ex: Parchment) send us any transcripts.  We do not accept transcripts that are not submitted through our online application.

What is an unofficial vs. official transcript?

Unofficial transcripts are available to current students via the institution’s student information system (SIS). They are a means by which students may review their academic record. An unofficial transcript is printed on plain paper and may not have an original raised college seal or registrar’s signature.

Official transcripts are documents produced by the registrar’s office and printed on special security paper.  They contain the raised seal of the university and the signature of the University Registrar.

Copies of official transcripts are considered to be unofficial for admissions purposes as they are lacking the above-mentioned special features (signature, seal, security paper). All transcripts (official or unofficial) that you submit through our online application will be treated as copies. It is not possible to transmit documents containing an original signature and seal, that are printed on security paper. They will be copies, they are not originals, and therefore, they are unofficial. We also do not require official transcripts for the application, only a copy of your (official or unofficial) transcript.

Can I submit an official transcript as part of the application?

To apply to the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, you must upload a copy of your unofficial or official transcript(s) to the application.  You will not be not submitting any original documents. We cannot and will not accept any original documents.  Therefore, all transcripts are treated as unofficial copies even if you and your school consider the document in your possession to be official. Do not have your current or previous institution send us any unsolicited official transcripts as they will be destroyed. Transcripts that are sent or emailed directly to the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences by you, your institution, or a third party (ex: Parchment) cannot be added to your application.

Should you be admitted to one of our programs, and you accept the offer of admission, our office will contact you and ask you to request from your previous institution(s) an official, sealed, signed, final transcript that must be sent to our office before the start of your first semester.

I am still in school. How do I submit an updated transcript showing fall grades?

You don’t.  If you are currently enrolled in a bachelor’s or master’s program outside of Boston University, you cannot re-submit your transcript as soon as your fall grades have posted.  Most of our programs have deadlines in early to mid-December, before fall grades are posted, and therefore, the fall grades are not part of the review.  Our programs start reviewing applications immediately after their posted application deadline.  We cannot replace any documents when faculty has already started reviewing them.  If you wish to make the program aware of any strong, favorable fall grades, we recommend that you reach out to the program directly.

I have multiple transcripts for the same school. How do I upload them?

If you have multiple transcripts for the same school (ex: one for a bachelor’s degree, one for a master’s degree) you will need to combine all these documents into a single document and then upload it under that one school.

Do I need to have transcripts sent for every college-level class that I have taken?

Yes, applicants are required to upload transcripts of each college or university attended to the online application.

• Do not submit transcripts from your High School.  College courses completed while in High School must appear as credits on your college transcript.
• If you attended a study abroad program we do not need separate transcripts sent if the course names, credits, and grades are listed on your main institution’s transcript.
• A college senior must submit a transcript of work completed in the first semester of their senior year.
• Do not email or mail official transcripts directly to our office.  You will be required to submit official transcripts only if you are admitted and accept our offer of admission.
• Applicants who have studied outside of the United States and Canada are required to upload international transcript(s) and certified translation(s) for all institutions attended. Please combine your transcript, certified translation, etc. for each institution into one document and then upload it to the appropriate section of the online application.

Do I need to obtain an evaluation of my transcript?

We are aware that the application asks applicants who attended a foreign institution to submit an “ Unofficial Uploaded Evaluation. ”  This is incorrect.

The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences does not require “an unofficial foreign evaluation with a course-by-course equivalency report.”  An evaluation is not a required component of the application.

If you have attended an institution that is not located within the United States, we request that you simply upload your transcript(s) in the appropriate section of your application.  The program you are applying to may contact you at the time of review if an evaluation is necessary (ex: WES/ECE) .

Does my transcript need to be in English?

Yes, all transcripts submitted to the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences need to be in English. If your school does not provide English copies, you must submit a certified English translation of your transcript and academic records (coursework, graduation/diploma certificates) with the originals. The translation may be completed by an embassy (if available) or professional translation service or public notary. If you have two separate documents, a foreign language transcript and its certified translation into English, you will need to combine these two documents into a single document and then upload it where it says “Unofficial Uploaded Evaluation.”

I will not receive my degree until the summer. Must I submit another transcript?

Only if you are admitted and accept an offer of admission.  In this case, you will need to submit official transcripts and certified documents showing all degrees conferred or awarded as soon as they become available, even if the degree will not be conferred until the semester of matriculation begins.

Can I get copies of the documents I submitted as part of my application?

No.  All credentials, including transcripts and reference letters, submitted in support of an application become property of Boston University. Neither originals nor copies may be returned.

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Applicants are required to upload unofficial transcripts from each institution attended. Harvard Griffin GSAS does not accept transcripts received by mail or email during the application submission and review process. Any transcripts sent during this time will be discarded.  

Official transcripts are only required from those who have been admitted and accepted the offer of admission. Instructions for submitting official transcripts will be provided in spring/summer prior to enrollment. 

Transcripts from international institutions must be in English or be accompanied by a certified English translation. All translations must be literal and complete versions of the original records. International transcripts should include: 

• courses, seminars, and examinations taken 
• grades, scores, and grading scales 
• confirmation of degree conferral and date. 

Fall Grades: Applicants currently enrolled in a college or university may be required to submit fall grades. Visit your program of interest in Degree Programs for more information. Should you wish to update your submitted application with fall grades, you may do so using the Fall Grade Report in the Applicant Portal. 

What if my school does not issue transcripts? 

If your school’s registrar does not issue transcripts, you must request from them an official original document or letter that lists all courses taken, including currently enrolled classes, credits received, grades received and if you have graduated, and the name of the degree conferred and the date of the conferral. 

What if my grades are pass/fail or based on a nontraditional scale? 

Grades and GPA should be reported in the same format as they are reported on your transcript. If your transcript does not include a GPA, you are not required to include the GPA on your Harvard Griffin GSAS application. 

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Academic Records & Transcripts

By the time enrollment begins, successful applicants must hold a bachelor's degree or the equivalent from an accredited institution in the united states or from a recognized university-level academic institution abroad. completed coursework for both domestic and international applicants must demonstrate the equivalent of at least a b average in the united states. during application process.

For application review purposes only, scan and upload copies of transcripts for all institutions attended after high school graduation. Please upload both the front and back sides of the transcript, even if the back side is blank. 

Uploaded transcripts should be recent and include the details listed below.  If a transcript is not available,  please upload a statement explaining the circumstances.

• Institution name
• Dates of attendance
• Grades/marks received
• Grading legend
• Degree conferral, if applicable

After Admission Decision

Upon provisional admission to UC San Diego, official documents will be required to finalize your admission and must be submitted to the Graduate Admissions Office for review.  Official documents may include: final undergraduate transcript showing degree(s) awarded, final graduate transcript showing degree(s) awarded if applicable, post graduate academic records, evaluations, mark sheets, diplomas, certificates, and translations. *Please note that admitted applicants who have earned degree(s) from institutions outside of the United States who plan to matriculate to UC San Diego must provide a WES Course-by-Course evaluation in order for their admission to be finalized. Detailed information can be found here . 

Submitted records become the property of the University, and we cannot return them to you . Certified electronic transcripts sent directly to Graduate Admissions from the issuing institution are also accepted.

If your institution uses Parchment services to deliver e-transcripts, you may request your document to be sent to " University of California - San Diego Grad Admissions". If your institution does not use Parchment services for e-transcripts, you will need to create an account with Parchment.com to have your official documents sent to UC San Diego.

If you are mailing your official documents, official transcripts must be delivered in a sealed envelope from the administering institution or service. Documents will not be accepted if opened or sealed by the student. If your academic record cannot be replaced, obtain a properly certified copy. 

If you are not able to obtain an e-transcript from your institution, please have all mailed documents sent to the following address:

University of California, San Diego Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs (GEPA) - Graduate Admissions 9500 Gilman Drive #0003 La Jolla, California 92093-0003

Applicants with academic work in progress who expect to complete a degree program before the intended date of enrollment at UC San Diego, must provide evidence of degree conferral and a final academic transcript as soon as they are available.

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Academic Transcripts

Your application must include one (1) academic transcript, mark sheet, or final grades sheet (and certified English translation, if required) from each institution you attended. The baccalaureate or equivalent transcript should clearly indicate conferral of your undergraduate degree. If you are currently completing your baccalaureate, you should upload a transcript showing your academic record through your most current term of study.

The document must be produced by the registrar, and include one or more of the following features:

Registrar's signature

Registrar's seal

Institutional watermark

Printed on official institutional paper

You should upload your transcript to the online application as a PDF, TIFF, or JPEG (either single or multi-page documents). The file(s) must be clear and legible , including in orientation (e.g. not upside down or sideways). You will upload this document to the "Educational History" section of your application.

If you have a hard copy, please scan it—it is okay if the process removes the registrar seal, marks the transcript as "void," or causes some other change. 

If uploaded, you should not mail paper copies. If you are offered admission, you will be required to provide  official transcripts .

Frequently Asked Questions

What degree must i have in order to enroll.

You must receive your undergraduate degree (U.S. baccalaureate or equivalent) from an institution of recognized standing before enrollment.

Students studying in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Bangladesh must show completion of four years of study. Completion of a four-year degree program in Bachelor of Engineering or Bachelor of Technology meets the application requirement for the Graduate School. If completing a three-year bachelor’s degree, one must complete an additional year of undergraduate studies, one year of graduate studies or a one year post bachelor’s diploma program to be eligible to apply to the Graduate School.

Do you need transcripts for coursework I completed in a study abroad program, summer session, or for other transfer credit?

We do not require separate transcripts from study abroad, transfer or summer session schools, as long as your transcript reports the same course names and grades for work done at other institutions. If these details are not reported, you must submit a separate transcript.

How do I include transcripts with my online application?

It depends on the form of transcript.

• Example 1. You have a paper, hardcopy document from your registrar. Scan and upload it to your online application. It is preferred that you scan it as a pdf, if possible. Do not also mail it to us. Note: we know that scanning may cause you to lose the registrar seal, mark the transcript as "void," or make some other change. That is okay.
• Example 2. You have a pdf file produced by your registrar. Upload it to your online application. Do not also mail it to us. Please note: if you have a pdf portfolio from the registrar (a bundle of several documents), you cannot upload the entire portfolio as it will not appear in the application correctly. Instead, save each of the documents as individual pdfs and then upload them.
• Example 3. Your school can send an electronic transcript directly to the Graduate School. Should you do this? No. You should request that the electronic transcript be sent to you. Then, you should upload it into your online application.
• Example 4. You have a print-out from your institution's website that shows your academic history. This does not meet the requirements for a transcript as described above in example 1 or 2.

My transcript becomes illegible once it's scanned. What should I do?

You should upload the official transcript to the application, even though it is illegible, and also upload a print-out from your institution's website that shows your academic history. Even though we do not normally accept print-outs from the web, in this case we will.

I am unable to upload my transcript online. What should I do?

While we prefer applicants upload transcripts when possible, we recognize that not everyone is able to prepare a scanned file. Your application will receive full consideration as long as you mail us your transcripts by the application deadline date. Please note our address below.

How will my international transcript be evaluated?

Your application is referred to our advisors for review, who ensure that you have received (or will receive by the expected enrollment date) the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree. If so, the application will then be forwarded to the department you have applied to. GSAS advisors are expertly trained, familiar with the educational systems and transcripts of many countries throughout the world, and have a wide variety of resources to call upon to assist them in reviewing credentials.

My transcripts are not written in English. What should I do? Am I required to get a WES evaluation?

All applicants must ensure that certified English translations accompany all documents written in languages other than English. Translations must be literal and complete versions of the original records. We must have your transcripts in both the native language and in English for us to evaluate your credentials. 

You are not required to provide a WES evaluation for foreign transcripts, but you may do so if you already have it.

Do I need to report or calculate my GPA?

If you attended a U.S. institution, you should report your GPA in the online application. If your transcript does not calculate your GPA, you will need to do so. 

If you attended an institution outside of the U.S., do not report your GPA — leave the field in the application blank. Part of the training GSAS advisors receive prepares them to calculate U.S. equivalent GPAs based on the grades and grading scales used on international transcripts.

I am a current or former NYU student. Am I required to upload an NYU transcript?

Yes, all applicants are required to upload a transcript to their online application. However, if you are or were an NYU student, you do not need to request your official transcript — you may upload the unofficial transcript available on Albert in the Grades & Transcripts tab.

Do you need an updated copy of my transcript if I am offered admission and enroll?

If you are offered admission and enroll, we require that you send us official transcripts , as follows:

One final transcript showing conferral of your undergraduate degree (baccalaureate or equivalent);

One final transcript from any institution in which a degree was conferred (e.g., if you received a master's degree); 

One transcript from any institution in which you did graduate-level work, even if a degree was not conferred. 

Each transcript must be mailed to Graduate Enrollment Services and be received prior to your first term of registration. Any transcript you send must be an original official transcript with the Registrar's stamp or signature. It will become part of your official New York University record.

What address should my transcripts be mailed to?

All materials should be sent to Graduate Enrollment Services — not the department you are applying to — at one of the following addresses:

U.S. Postal Service (including express and priority mail):

New York University Graduate School of Arts and Science Graduate Enrollment Services P.O. Box 907 New York, NY 10276-0907

FedEx, DHL, UPS, or other express mail service ( do not use for U.S. Postal Service express or priority mail):

New York University Graduate School of Arts and Science Graduate Enrollment Services One-half Fifth Avenue New York, NY 10003 Telephone: (212) 998-8050

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Uploading Transcripts

You must upload to the online application  transcript(s) and/or academic document(s) for every institution of higher education you attended regardless of whether or not a degree was received.  To review a list of required documents by your previous or current institution's country,   click here .    

If a degree was received then it must be printed on the transcripts.  If no degree conferral is printed on the transcripts then a copy of the original diploma (degree certificate) is needed. If the documents are not in English, you must upload an English translation certified by the college/university or translation service which issued it.

The uploaded transcript and/or academic document may be from the official or unofficial version of the document. An official transcript bears the original signature of the registrar and/or the original seal of the issuing institution. An unofficial transcript printed from your current/previous institution(s) student system is not an acceptable document.  For tips about uploading your transcripts into the online application click here .

All transcripts and/or academic documents uploaded to the online application system by the applicant or program are considered unofficial.

Official Transcripts

You must provide official transcripts and/or academic records at the request of the graduate program.

If you are admitted and choose to enroll at Purdue University, you must submit official transcripts before you can register for your third session. Once you submit official transcripts to Purdue University, they become property of the University and will not be returned. We recognize, in very rare instances, that students may have access to only one transcript (or an extremely limited number of transcripts) or other academic credentials. In this instance, you may submit a written request (at the time you submit your transcripts) to preserve your original documents to the Office of Graduate Admissions. 

The Office of Graduate Admissions accepts electronic transcripts from accredited colleges and universities sent via Parchment Exchange, the National Student Clearinghouse, or directly from the accredited college and university.  The transcript must be sent to [email protected] in order to verify the authenticity of the documents. If any departments receive emails stating that electronic transcripts are waiting for them, please notify that institution of the correct email address.

An official transcript bears the original signature of the registrar and/or the original seal of the issuing institution.  Transcripts and/or English translations may be mailed directly from a Registrar’s office to the Office of Graduate Admissions or you can choose to send the transcripts yourself. 

Official documents may be mailed to:

Purdue University Office of Graduate Admissions 155 South Grant Street Young Hall, Room 170 West Lafayette, IN 47907

• Degree-Seeking Applicants: If you are applying to a master's, doctoral, or educational specialist degree program, you must upload your transcript into the online application .  Your transcripts must be from each college or university you have attended which may include evidence of a baccalaureate degree awarded. This may either be your final transcript showing degree awarded (if applicable) or a copy of your original diploma (degree certificate).  If you are currently studying for a baccalaureate degree, you will later be required to submit a document that verifies the awarding of that degree.
• Re-entry Applicants: If you are seeking re-entry to a degree program and you attended another college or university since you last attended graduate studies at Purdue, you must upload a transcript of that study into the online application .
• Certificate Applicants:  If applying for a certificate program, applicants must upload transcript(s)/academic document(s) into the online application.The transcripts must be from the college or university attended, that includes evidence of a baccalaureate degree awarded. Applicants can refer to the  Graduate Program Requirements Web page  for specific details.
• Teacher License: If you are applying for the teacher license classification, you must upload a transcript from the college or university where your baccalaureate degree was awarded. If you are currently studying for a baccalaureate degree, you will later be required to submit a document that verifies the degree has been awarded. Your transcript may be uploaded into the online application .  If requested by the graduate program or if you are admitted and choose to enroll, you must submit official transcripts and/or academic documents directly to the Office of Graduate Admissions.
• Non Degree Applicants: If you are applying for non degree classification, you must upload evidence of a baccalaureate degree. This may be a transcript, a copy of the diploma, or a letter from the college or university verifying the degree.

The Office of the Vice Provost for Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Scholars reserves the right to require official transcripts and/or academic documents at any time during the admissions process.

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Transcript Requirements

Applicants to USC graduate programs must submit official transcripts from all colleges, universities, and other post-secondary institutions they have previously attended.

To ensure that your transcripts are properly submitted and meet our review criteria, please carefully read and follow the guidelines below.

Official Transcript Guidelines

Transcripts and other academic records must be issued directly by the registrar’s office of your previous school(s) and bear the official registrar’s stamp or signature. All other security features must be intact. Unofficial records such as print-outs from student portals are not acceptable for admission review.

International Transcripts

If you completed your previous studies outside the United States, check our country-specific requirements to determine if we need original-language copies of your academic records.

In these cases, we need transcripts issued in the original language of instruction, accompanied by a separate, word-for-word, English-language translation of all records.

The translation should be issued either directly from the school itself or by a professional, certified translator. It must contain all information shown on the original-language documents and “mirror” it as precisely as possible. Dual-language transcripts are also acceptable.

USC does not accept credential evaluation reports from outside agencies (e.g., WES, ECE, etc.) for the purposes of admission review. Only academic records issued directly by the school are acceptable.

Submitting Transcripts

Transcripts can be submitted by one of the following three options:

1) If you already have official transcripts on hand, you may scan and upload them directly to the “Academic History” section of the online application. Do not upload unofficial print-outs from student portals.

2) Official hard-copy transcripts can be sent via postal mail or courier to USC.

Mail hard copies to: University of Southern California USC Office of Graduate Admission 3601 South Flower Street, Room 112 Los Angeles, CA 90089-0915

Have your transcripts delivered by courier to: University of Southern California USC Office of Graduate Admission 3601 South Flower Street, Room 112 Los Angeles, CA 90089-0915

3) Official e-transcripts can be transmitted directly to USC by your previous institution(s).

• The transcript must originate from a secure site formally linked to the sending institution.
• Please instruct the vendor to email the transcripts to [email protected] . Do not send any other materials to this email address yourself. E-transcripts sent to any other address will not be downloaded, which will delay the review of your file and require you to pay for a new e-transcript to be sent.

IMPORTANT: If you are submitting transcripts via options 2 or 3, please do not send them until after you have submitted your application online and received your 10-digit USC ID number.

Please note that some USC graduate departments prefer that transcripts be sent directly to them, rather than to the central Graduate Admission processing office. To verify your department’s policy, refer to the website of your intended graduate program. In such cases, you are responsible for confirming receipt by the department.

USC Students/Alumni

Current USC students and/or alumni do not need to submit transcripts of their USC coursework. Please be sure to include your USC enrollment in the “Academic Background” section so that we can match your application to the academic records already on file.

Confidentiality and Document Submission Policy

Transcripts and all other materials submitted for admission consideration become the property of USC. The university does not return or duplicate materials for any reason whatsoever. The information and materials in your submitted application are made available only to the central Office of Admission and the admission committee of the academic department or professional school to which you have applied.

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Academic Transcripts

An academic transcript is the official record of degree examinations passed, and, for certain categories of student, the grade and mark awarded.

Please only request paper copies where absolutely necessary - these requests will take longer to turn around than requests for documents in electronic format.

We recommend wherever possible that current students forward, download or print your transcript using the electronic documents service at myed --> accounts --> my student record --> documents. , if you are not able to access your document electronically, we can email an electronic copy to you or your recipient., current students.

Sending an electronic version of your transcript: Most current students and graduates (from 2012 onwards) can view and send their Higher Education Achievement Report (Transcript) electronically via the Electronic Document Service .

The Electronic Document Service will send an email to your recipient with a secure link they can use to download your transcript. Please confirm with the recipient that they are willing to accept this.

The Electronic Document Service transcript is not available to BVM&S, MBChB , MSc by Research and PhD candidates. BVM&S and MSc by Research students should place an order for a transcript , and MSc(R) students should select MSc Taught when completing the order form.

Sending a paper copy of your transcript: To send a paper copy, place an order via the Academic Transcript Order Form and we will mail your transcript within 10 working days.

If you have trouble accessing the Electronic Document Service from Euclid: We have provided instructions about accessing the HEAR/transcript for users having difficulty using the Electronic Document Service.

GRADUATES AND FORMER STUDENTS

Graduates from 2012 onwards: University of Edinburgh graduates from 2012 onwards can view and send their Academic Transcript/HEAR electronically via the Alumni Portal .

Graduates prior to 2012: For those who graduated from the University before 2012, place an order via the Academic Transcript Order Form . The content of the transcript varies depending on the degree held and the date of graduation. We will send you the appropriate version and will forward your order to the appropriate School/College if we are unable to provide a transcript from our office.

Graduates holding MBChB degrees:  Please use the  form prepared by the Medical Teaching Office to order your transcript .

PhD and MSc by Research (MScR) degrees: We cannot produce transcripts for PhD Graduates. Please order an Academic Statement .  MSc(R) graduates should select MSc Taught when completing the transcript order form.   Requests from MSc(R) graduates whose course results are not available in the student record system, will be passed to the appropriate School in order that their paper archive records may be searched.

ECA and Moray House before respective mergers with University of Edinburgh: Please see the Transcript Information page to find out how to order a transcript.

What is the link to order an academic transcript?

If you have read the above information and cannot access your transcript directly through the Electronic Document Service on Euclid, you should request a transcript through our Academic Transcript Order Form.

Can a third party request a transcript on my behalf?

Academic transcripts can only be requested by the student/graduate and not by a third party. If a potential employer or other third party needs to verify your degree, this will be handled by an outside firm as described in our instructions for Third Party Verifications.

How do I send a transcript directly to a potential employer or academic institution?

• Please confirm with the recipient that they are willing to accept this before ordering.
• If you would like your academic transcript to be sent to a prospective employer, or to another academic institution as a PDF, you must  provide the email address of the recipient on your order. The email address must be an institutional or business email address.
• Please note that if you send a PDF to your personal email account rather than a third-party, the transcript will not be acceptable as an "official" version.

Employers can ask to confirm dates of attendance and degree classification of students/graduates by making a Third Party Verification request .

Can I have a copy of my transcript sent to myself?

We can send you a PDF or hard copy of your transcript. Please be aware that some employers or academic institutions do not accept transcripts that were delivered originally to the student , so please confirm with the recipient before sending a copy that was delivered to you. If you are a current student,  please use the Electronic Document Service to download a PDF version of your HEAR transcript.  Graduates should use the Alumni Portal .

I graduated from the University before 2012. How can I confirm whether you can provide me with an academic transcript?

If before making your request you wish to check whether we can provide you with an academic transcript, you can find information on the Student Administration Transcript Information page .

I was an exchange student. Can I get a transcript of the courses I took while at the university?

If you studied at the university since 2012 and have access to your university login details, please use the electronic documents service to access your transcript. You may place an order if you need a hard copy or were at the university before this period.

I withdrew from the university before achieving a degree. How do I get a transcript?

Please place an order using the academic transcript order form .

 Academic Transcript Order Form

This article was published on 2024-07-29

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Decoding Admissions: Do Grad Schools Look at Transcripts?

By Eric Eng

Navigating the complex process of graduate school admissions can feel like trying to solve a puzzle with multiple moving pieces. Many prospective students grapple with one question: “Do grad schools look at transcripts?”

This blog post aims to demystify the role of undergraduate transcripts in the graduate admissions process. We will delve into the importance of transcripts, what they reflect about you as an applicant, and how they contribute to the holistic picture grad schools attempt to paint about prospective students.

So, let’s embark on this journey to better understand the intricate puzzle of graduate school admissions, with a particular focus on the weightage of your transcripts.

What Does a Grad School Look for in an Applicant?

When it comes to graduate school applications, many prospective students wonder, “What does a grad school look for in an applicant?”

While each program has unique requirements and expectations, certain elements are universally valued. Let us explore these factors to comprehend better what graduate schools seek in their applicants.

Academic Excellence

Academic performance is one of the most critical considerations for grad school admissions. Transcripts, GPA, and standardized tests scores, such as Graduate Record Examination (GRE), Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), Law School Admission Test (LSAT), or the Medical College Test (MCAT) scores, provide a snapshot of your intellectual capacity and dedication.

Undoubtedly, your academic record plays a crucial role. They are indicators of your ability to understand complex concepts, apply knowledge, and persevere through rigorous coursework.

Graduate schools also pay attention to the courses you have taken and how they align with your prospective field of study. A strong performance in these subjects showcases your preparedness for the program.

Relevant Experience

Experience in the field you intend to pursue at the graduate level is another significant factor. This might come from internships, research projects, or work experience. Such experiences illustrate your commitment to the field and provide you with practical skills and knowledge that can be invaluable during graduate studies.

These experiences also show you understand the field beyond the classroom, giving admissions committees confidence in your ability to succeed.

Strong Recommendations

Letters of recommendation are essential, as they offer an external perspective on your abilities, character, and potential. A strong recommendation from someone who knows you well, academically or professionally, can validate your accomplishments and underscore your suitability for the program. It provides context to your achievements and lends credibility to your application.

Well-Articulated Purpose

Your statement of purpose is where you tie your experiences, ambitions, and qualifications into a coherent narrative. It is an opportunity to articulate your academic and career goals, why you are interested in the specific program, and what makes you a strong candidate.

This essay helps the admissions committee understand your motivation for pursuing graduate study and assess whether your goals align with what the program offers.

Personal Attributes

While more challenging to quantify, personal attributes play a crucial role in graduate admissions. Resilience, leadership, initiative, intellectual curiosity, and dedication are highly valued. These traits can be demonstrated through your personal statement, the experiences you have engaged in, and how you have overcome challenges. They help paint a picture of who you are beyond your academic achievements.

Potential for Future Success

Lastly, graduate programs are interested in your potential for success, both during the program and beyond. They look for evidence that you will thrive in their academic environment, contribute positively to their community, and succeed in your chosen career.

Indicators of future success can include past achievements, relevant experiences, a strong academic foundation, and clear career goals.

While each graduate school and program may prioritize certain factors over others, they all strive to select well-rounded applicants. A successful graduate school applicant is a complex blend of academic achievement, relevant experiences, personal attributes, and potential for future success. Aim to present the best version of yourself in every aspect of your application.

Do Grad Schools Look at Transcripts?

Do grad schools look at transcripts? Graduate schools review transcripts as they play a critical role in the admissions process.

Transcripts provide an objective and detailed record of your undergraduate academic journey, revealing far more than just a cumulative GPA . They map your academic history, highlighting your intellectual curiosity, your commitment, and the trajectory of your performance over the years.

The admissions committee scrutinizes not just your overall grades, but also the individual grades you have earned in each course. This gives them insight into the areas of study where you excel, as well as those where you might have struggled. They also look at the rigor of the courses you have chosen.

For instance, a challenging course load might be seen as evidence of intellectual curiosity and tenacity, even if it comes with the occasional lower grade.

In addition, trends in your academic performance over time are also evaluated. An upward trajectory, where your grades improve as you progress through college, can be a positive signal, demonstrating your ability to adapt, learn, and improve.

Similarly, they consider the reputation and rigor of the institution where you earned your undergraduate degree.

However, it is important to remember that while transcripts are a key piece of your application, they are part of a larger holistic review process, considering factors like your statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, research experience, work history, and more.

Thus, while you should aim for a strong transcript, you should pay attention to other important elements of your application.

Why Are Transcripts Important?

Understanding the significance of transcripts can transform the way you approach your graduate school application.

So, why are transcripts important? Transcripts serve as more than a factual record of your grades; they narrate your academic journey, revealing aspects of your potential that other parts of your application might not capture.

Academic Abilities and Performance

Firstly, transcripts bear witness to your academic capabilities. Your overall GPA and individual grades provide a clear indication of your ability to handle challenging coursework. It reflects how well you have understood and applied the theories and concepts learned in your undergraduate program.

High grades in your major-related courses especially indicate your preparedness for the graduate program you are applying to.

Course Load and Difficulty

Beyond the grades, the nature and rigor of the courses you have chosen can also speak volumes. A diverse range of classes suggests intellectual curiosity and a willingness to step outside your comfort zone.

Meanwhile, a transcript filled with rigorous, upper-level courses shows your dedication to diving deep into your field of study. In essence, your course selection can indicate your drive, ambition, and ability to handle pressure.

Trend in Grades

Your transcript also paints a picture of your academic evolution over time. An upward trend in your grades, for example, can demonstrate your adaptability, perseverance, and capacity to improve.

Even if you have had some lower grades earlier in your college career, a strong finish signals your ability to overcome challenges.

Contextual Understanding

Importantly, transcripts give admissions committees contextual understanding. For example, a lower GPA might be seen differently if you have also held a demanding job or had other significant commitments.

While this information may be more directly provided in your personal statement or letters of recommendation, your transcript adds dimension to this context.

In essence, transcripts are a vital to your graduate school application because they reveal a nuanced, multi-dimensional picture of your academic journey. They offer a broader, more detailed perspective of your abilities than a resume or statement of purpose might provide.

Yet, as students contemplate the query, “Do grad schools look at transcripts?” remember that they are just one piece of the puzzle. Ultimately, a holistic approach that considers all aspects of your application will determine your success in the graduate school admissions process.

Tips for Building a Strong Transcript for Graduate School

As we delve deeper into the graduate school admissions process, we have answered the popular question among aspiring postgraduate students, “Do grad schools look at transcripts?”

Transcripts play a pivotal role in the graduate admissions process, serving as a reliable indicator of your academic preparedness for the rigor of a graduate program.

As such, it is essential to build a strong transcript during your undergraduate studies is essential. However, building a strong transcript is not an overnight process but a culmination of strategic decisions and consistent effort throughout your undergraduate journey.

Let’s dive in and discover some tips for building a strong transcript for graduate school.

Prioritize Your GPA

First and foremost, maintaining a strong GPA is crucial. Your cumulative GPA is a key indicator of your academic performance and is often one of the first things admissions committees will look at.

Aim to keep your GPA high by staying consistent in your studies, seeking help when needed, and adequately preparing for exams and assignments. Remember, it is not just about the final grades but also about the journey there – show commitment, perseverance, and a desire to learn.

Seek out Challenging Courses

Graduate schools look favorably upon students who challenge themselves. Do not shy away from more demanding classes, even if they might seem intimidating at first. Taking up rigorous courses demonstrates your intellectual curiosity, your readiness to push boundaries, and your capacity to handle intensive academic work. These are all qualities that graduate programs appreciate.

Perform Well in Your Major

While a good overall GPA is important, performing well in your major-specific courses is equally crucial. Your grades in these classes offer insight into your understanding of and proficiency in your chosen field of study.

Therefore, strive for high grades in these courses to showcase your readiness for advanced study in this area.

Show an Upward Trend

Life happens, and sometimes this can reflect in your academic performance. However, graduate schools often value resilience and the ability to improve.

If you have had a rough start to your undergraduate career, work hard to improve your grades as you progress. An upward trend in your academic performance can demonstrate your growth, perseverance, and dedication.

Balance Your Course Load

While taking challenging courses is recommended, balancing your course load each semester is essential. Overloading yourself might lead to stress and burnout, negatively impacting your grades.

Find a balance that allows you to challenge yourself while maintaining strong academic performance.

Engage in Relevant Research

Participating in research during your undergraduate years can further strengthen your transcript. It provides practical evidence of your skills and interest in your chosen field, and it can be particularly beneficial if you are applying to research-focused graduate programs.

Use Pass/Fail Options Wisely

Many colleges offer the option to take some courses on a pass/fail basis instead of for a grade. This can be a good strategy for electives or challenging courses outside your major.

However, use this option sparingly, as taking too many pass/fail classes may not reflect well on your academic seriousness.

Make Up for Any Shortfalls

If you have had a few low grades, consider retaking the course if your college allows it. Demonstrating that you can learn from past academic mistakes and improve upon them can make a positive impression.

Building a strong transcript for graduate school is a multifaceted process. It requires academic excellence, intellectual curiosity, resilience, and strategic planning.

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As you aim to build a strong transcript, remember to also focus on these other elements. Work on demonstrating your passion for the field, articulating your career goals, gathering strong recommendations, and gaining relevant experiences.

Remember, it is the complete package that eventually makes a strong graduate school candidate. Thus, while transcripts are a key component, they should be seen as part of a much broader picture that represents the multifaceted individual you are.

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Do the courses on your PhD transcript matter, beyond GPA and grades?

There are a few questions here that discuss whether PhD GPA/grades matter (for example this , this , and this ). But I haven't been able to find anything on whether other information on the transcript matters. In particular, I wonder if a specific course and the status of that course on PhD transcript could be something an application reviewer would care about, for academic and industry jobs after completing the PhD, and also internships and fellowships during the PhD.

I have heard "no body looks at your transcript" from so many people, but I doubt if any of them had any issue with their transcript anyway. That makes me skeptical of their assessment of the importance of PhD transcript. Say, there is a course that's relevant to your research (but not absolutely essential). When you go on the (industry or academic) job market at the end of your PhD, would anyone care about whether you had that course or not and whether you got A, B, or a W for that course? If so, between a B and a W, which one is worse, and how bad is it?

To give more context, I'm quite a bit beyond the coursework stage of my PhD (an engineering PhD in the US), have completed all my courseworks, have taken my comprehensive exams, and have just one more step to candidacy/ABD. Almost all of my time should be spent on research, but I took an optional course that's on a topic quite useful for my research (admittedly a mistake to take it as a graded course). Now I'm considering dropping it with a 'W' on my transcript, but I don't know if that could have any consequences. In terms of learning the material, I've already gotten all that I want from the course (I kept it for most of the semester and did the homework, etc.), but I don't know if getting a B on that course is worth slowing down my research to study for the exams, or if it'd be better to just get a 'W' and focus on my research and avoid botching paper deadlines.

• Are you in a middle-to-top ranked program where it's generally assumed by default (by society) that everyone in the program (and definitely everyone earning a degree) is competent, or a less well-regarded program where that's not a given? Are you going to be competing for jobs where the employer is hoping to hire someone really good, or jobs where the employer is just trying to not hire someone bad? –  Alexander Woo Commented Nov 8, 2023 at 16:12
• I am in mod-to-top ranked program. I don't know about the answer to your question about the jobs. In terms of competitiveness, the job market I hear about is quite competitive. For industry jobs, normally PhDs from our lab/program compete for jobs at well-known tech companies, but rarely go for niche and ultra competitive positions in Wall Street. And academic job market is highly competitive anyway as far as I know. –  gradette Commented Nov 8, 2023 at 16:37
• If you are done with all other courses, mostly the research portion is pending, and still can get a B or better in the course, I suggest completing that course even with a B grade while working on research and graduating. It seems like you are at the end of your PhD journey with the feeling of "Is it worth taking courses" during the end of PhD. All you need is a final push which I am giving you. I had the same feeling and a friend of mine motivated me to finish the course; I did and the rest is history. You'll be proud at the end. –  Dr. Banjadebaje Commented Nov 8, 2023 at 20:02

2 Answers 2

I doubt that courses and grades have any "external" value after you finish your dissertation and it is accepted.

My experience was that the doctoral level coursework (math) was to prepare one to pass comprehensive exams prior to starting on the dissertation. If you couldn't pass the courses with a good grade you probably weren't going to pass comps and might be advised to quit.

They were also, however, the way that the university "guaranteed" to the public that its PhD graduates were broadly prepared in the field. So, while algebra was far from my first love, I had to grok it to be considered a competent mathematician. For my main field, my grades and such in those courses reassured my advisor that he wouldn't be making a mistake in taking me on.

The emphasis on the courses will vary, of course, in different places.

It is unlikely that anyone would care about a withdrawal, or even know about it. There are lots of reasons to drop a course that isn't required.

• 1 Thanks for the response! This agrees with what I've heard from others. Do you by any chance have/heard of experiences of actually ignoring transcripts when reviewing applications for postdoc positions? Or the experience of not ignoring it and interpreting any specific information on the transcript? –  gradette Commented Nov 8, 2023 at 15:12
• 1 Nothing specific, but it isn't a question of "ignoring" transcripts but the fact of the granting of a degree implies that the granting institution judged you worthy and it is unlikely to be second guessed other than in odd circumstances such as being hired to do a specific thing and your record implies you are bad at that. But a W is nothing to worry about, especially once you start research, which pushes other things aside. –  Buffy Commented Nov 8, 2023 at 15:16

If you are applying for US Federal Government job, then the answer is yes. Specifically, different job series require specific numbers of credits. For example, a Mathematical Statistician states:

Basic Requirements: Degree: that included 24 semester hours of mathematics and statistics, of which at least 12 semester hours were in mathematics and 6 semester hours were in statistics. or Combination of education and experience -- at least 24 semester hours of mathematics and statistics, including at least 12 hours in mathematics and 6 hours in statistics, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. Evaluation of Education: Courses acceptable toward meeting the mathematics course requirement of paragraphs A or B above must have included at least four of the following: differential calculus, integral calculus, advanced calculus, theory of equations, vector analysis, advanced algebra, linear algebra, mathematical logic, differential equations, or any other advanced course in mathematics for which one of these was a prerequisite. Courses in mathematical statistics or probability theory with a prerequisite of elementary calculus or more advanced courses will be accepted toward meeting the mathematics requirements, with the provision that the same course cannot be counted toward both the mathematics and the statistics requirement.

Also, for a federal job, you can list courses on your resume to show they fit the requirements. For example, a biology-type series might require 24 credits of biology courses. You could list "Wildlife 301: Herpetology" as a biologist course so HR would see you have enough credits.

For your second question:

For give more context, I'm quite a bit beyond the coursework stage of my PhD (an engineering PhD in the US), have completed all my courseworks, have taken my comprehensive exams, and have just one more step to candidacy/ABD. Almost all of my time should be spent on research, but I took an optional course that's on a topic quite useful for my research (admittedly a mistake to take it as a graded course). Now I'm considering dropping it with a 'W' on my transcript, but I don't know if that could have any consequences. In terms of learning the material, I've already gotten all that I want from the course (I kept it for most of the semester and did the homework, etc.), but I don't know if getting a B on that course is worth slowing down my research to study for the exams, or if it'd be better to just get a 'W' and focus on my research and avoid botching paper deadlines.

I personally do not think it matters either way. A "W" will not hurt you (I had one or two in grad school too). Ask your advisor or trusted committee member what they think.

• The math courses you list seem to be undergraduate level, not doctoral level coursework. Same for statistics. –  Buffy Commented Nov 8, 2023 at 16:00
• If somebody didn't have the courses at the undergraduate level, they could count graduate-level math courses. Especially for other areas like ecology or for a fish biologist. –  Richard Erickson Commented Nov 8, 2023 at 16:36

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Speaker 1: The act of reading is central to the experience and research of graduate students and scholars, but it is a skill that's mastered over time. To read is not simply to glance over the words, but to process their meaning, the structure of one's argument, and to develop a strategy for retention and understanding. That is what we'll be covering in today's video. Hello everyone and welcome or welcome back to my channel. If you're new here, my name is Kaylin. I am a second year PhD student in history and African American studies at Yale University. And today I have a much awaited, many times requested video for you. This is how to read like a PhD student. I've been asked to make this video since I started my channel and I have put it off time and time again because I wanted it to be perfect. But now I think I've come up with my formula. I have a distinct system for how it is that I read as a PhD student. I'm going to be sharing all of my best tips and tricks and really focusing on the different applications of reading and note-taking so that way you can perform the best that you can as a student, whether you're in high school, undergrad, or a current graduate student. I think this video is going to be useful for everyone. So grab a cup of coffee and let's go ahead and get started. When considering all of my tactics for reading and how to effectively take notes, there were three primary things that came to mind. In today's video, we're going to be covering these three different types of reading. One, how to read for class. Two, how to read for retention. And three, how to read for research. First, we'll begin with the most applicable lesson for students across fields, which is how to read and take notes for class. At the beginning of a new term, it's important to read through your syllabi and determine which readings are the most pertinent to your long-term goals in research. While it may be initially overwhelming, most professors don't actually expect their students to do all of the reading. As a student who has studied at universities across the world, I can tell you it's important to read with a strategy in mind rather than to waste your time on subjects you may never come across again. At the beginning of each week, go to the index of your books and readings to determine the structure and which chapters you may want to pay attention to the most. For example, as a student interested in the history of slavery and the law, I'm likely to be called upon in seminar to answer questions related to my subject matter. Therefore, I always go through the readings and consider which chapters and books or sections and articles will have the information I most need to retain. From there, I set up my class notes. For my class notes, I use none other than the versatile and best organization app on the market, Notion. For this, I break my notes into three primary sections, major themes, scholarship, and questions. After years of taking inefficient notes on all the quotes and nitty-gritty information in my readings, I soon found that having talking points and notes which helped jog my memory during class were so much more efficient. While there may be readings that you wish to read more thoroughly for retention, I want you to think of your class notes as a set of talking points and examples which you can use to feel confident participating in class and preparing for exams. One quick side note, attend office hours for exam-based courses so you're also reading based on the key takeaways they recommend to be a successful student. And now for a quick message about the sponsor of today's video, Notion. If anybody's been watching my channel for any period of time, you know how much I absolutely love Notion. I not only use it as a student, I've been using it for three years now, but I also use it as a business owner. I have the business subscription for my team at Acceptive Consulting and Acceptive Society. I use it for my research. I use it for content planning and for my YouTube channel. I just think it's the most useful application out there. I've tried everything and I just think that Notion is truly a perfect application for organization and for tracking your progress. But even more so, I think it is the perfect app for capturing all of your notes and here's why. In addition to being the best team and project management resource I've tried, Notion is the ultimate tool for your notes and research. With integrations with citation management software such as Zotero, templates for dissertation projects, and the ability to create a database of all of your readings, Notion is the ideal tool for students. Over the past few months, I've actually been using Notion to keep track of the 200 plus books I have to read for comprehensive exams and its customizable format has allowed me to track which books are in progress, those I've completed, notes from meetings with my examiners, and so much more. Thank you so much again to Notion for sponsoring today's video. To download Notion, go ahead and check out the description down below and let's go ahead and head on to part number two, which is all about reading for retention. Unlike how you might read for class where key arguments and main points will get you by, reading for attention is all about long-term recall. The advice in this section is for students taking comprehensive exams, preparing for PhD admissions, or who want to master the literature for their research and as future educators. One of the most important takeaways in this section is about active recall. Reading and taking notes alone will not help you remember all of the details of a text. Grab a friend, meet with your professors, or like me, grab a camera and start discussing what you've read. Through teaching the subject to others and integrating your readings into research papers, you'll begin to establish long-term memory. However, like learning a language, reading and the knowledge it produces must be practiced. So, where your brain may be faulty, it's best to have a repository of notes. Lesson 2.1, note-taking for diligent students. When taking notes for retention, there are several categories worth highlighting. Quick disclaimer, some of the points made here are more history specific, but can be adjusted to suit your needs and research questions. Begin by setting up your notes on Notion with the following headers, main argument, supporting arguments, subjects and sites, sources, methods, scholarly debate, terms and themes, questions, and notes. While your notes may be more extensive, the three most important features of retention when thinking about academic articles or books are the main argument, how the argument was supported with evidence, and who that argument is in conversation with. The main argument or thesis is the center of the text. This is what the author believes is their contribution to the field and should be indicated clearly in your notes. This will come especially handy if you have to write any book reviews in the future. Supporting arguments are claims made by the author, but which are not the central takeaway from the text. Subjects and sites have to do with people and location, who is involved in the study and where was the study conducted. Sources and evidence include data, historical documents, pieces of art, surveys conducted, or anything used to corroborate the author's thesis. Methods or theory is all about analysis. Ask yourself how has the author analyzed their evidence to draw this conclusion. Now on to questions. Questions are posed within the text by the author and are often used to support the thesis by indicating for the reader what the author believes are the most important takeaways. Scholarly debate is central to academic scholarship. While reading, check out who the author cites and mentions multiple times to see who they are influenced by or who they may be arguing against. Lastly are your notes. This is where you're going to track quotes that you may want to use in the future, especially for your research papers, theses, or dissertation. Section 2.2, how to read an academic article. For today's example, I'm going to be looking at Jennifer Morgan's article, Parta Sequitur Ventrum. As you can see here, there is the general introduction and when I'm taking notes, I'm also taking notes in the margin. If you want more details on how I take notes on my iPad, I have a video for that that I'll link down below. But what's really important is the main argument and supporting arguments and all the different pieces that I discussed in the note-taking section. You're going to indicate the primary argument of the paper. This is often indicated by lines such as, this essay will argue, or I claim that, usually leading language that will help you indicate where the primary argument is. If we zoom in here, we can see that she actually has a further argument. You can either include this in the main argument section or if we believe that this is a supporting argument, then we would put it in that section of our notes. As we move down, we can see that her general subjects are enslaved women. For the sources, we can indicate that from either the reading of the text and you can also find it in the footnotes. This is a largely secondary literature focused article where she's in discussion with a lot of these scholars. This would go in the discourse section. In terms of methods, I think this is a more theoretical text, whereas other texts may be more focused on oral testimony, or maybe focused on quantitative methods. So for Jennifer Morgan's method, I would put that she is using the theory of the race reproductive bind coined by Alice Weinbaum. And then for notes, I would go and look at all the different side notes that I had in the margin here and also write down all of the quotes as I discussed in the notes section. With articles, what you're looking for is the main argument, which is going to be coming from the introduction of the paper. And then you're going to be looking for different sources or evidence, which is often going to come from the center of the paper. For methods, that is often discussed in the introduction. However, you'll also find it throughout the entirety of the paper. And the discourse, as I said in the earlier section, is usually in the introduction. As you see here, my notes begin to become more sparse throughout the article. I find that majority of the information of articles is centered at the beginning and at the end. However, this is largely history specific, and some articles will have an abstract. However, for history papers, they typically do not. Key takeaways. One, articles should be read thoroughly, but pay attention to the introduction. Two, the main argument or thesis is usually near the beginning. And three, pay attention to which discussions they are engaging in. Articles tend to be more direct in calling on other scholars and their work. Lesson 2.3, how to effectively read a book. The academic monograph has four distinct sections, the introduction, chapters, conclusion, and bibliography. Let's begin with the introduction. This is the section along with the conclusion, which you should pay the most attention to. In contemporary academic monographs, this is where the main argument and scholarly discourse lies. Therefore, this is not the section to skip. Read thoroughly and take your time. Take notes based on the categories we discussed and consider which chapters or sections pique your interest. For this example, I'll be returning to Jennifer Morgan's work, this time with her recent publication, Reckoning with Slavery. First things first, let's go straight to the table of contents. In this section of the book, you'll find a general overview of the book, which will help you indicate which sections may be the most intriguing. The table of contents will also help you see the overall flow of the book, allowing you to ask questions about chronology that may be useful to you later on. Now we move to the introduction. This is perhaps the most important section of the text, as it often contains rich details about the thesis, the discourse the author is engaging in, what evidence will be presented, and so much more. As you'll see in the margins of my book, I've left myself clear notes which help me indicate which categories they should fall under on my notion page. For long-term retention and for research, I recommend taking your time with the introduction. Take notes in the margin and don't forget to check the footnotes and citations. By the end of the introduction, you should have a clear sense of the direction of the book and whether or not it should be useful to your research or lesson plans. Now let's move on to the chapter sections. As a slow reader, I've often struggled with maintaining focus while reading lengthy chapters, but after a few years and countless academic books, I think I've mastered a formula. Step number one, read the first four to five pages of the chapter. This is often where the topic and argument of the chapter will be presented and should be read thoroughly. Step number two, read the first three sentences of each paragraph and skim the rest. The middle sections of chapters focus primarily on evidence, analysis, and theory. So unlike the introduction, which had clear takeaways, chapter sections will require that you indicate a few examples or anecdotes which are supportive of the author's thesis. Quick side note, indicate between one and four examples of how the author uses evidence to support their thesis. For scientific or quantitative-based texts, focus on their statistical methods of analysis. Step number three, the conclusion. Read the last four to five pages of each chapter to see how the author claims their examples have supported their argument. This will allow you to see clearly what they believe are the most important takeaways. Final section, the book's conclusion. Like the introduction, the conclusion is often rich with the author's argument. Read thoroughly and take notes where useful. Now on to our final section, reading for research. Unlike reading for class or for retention, reading for research is all about finding the information most pertinent to your project in a timely manner. Whether you're writing a research paper for a class or a 200-page doctoral dissertation, reading for research requires a whole different type of strategy. When reading for research, I want you to focus on the key takeaways of your project. You're going to be looking at different search terms to find the texts that are going to be the most applicable to your study, but in addition to that, you're going to want to use a specific set of tactics when going into the text to find what it is that you're looking for. When reading for your research, take the tips that I gave you in section 2.3, but focus only on the chapters which are directly applicable to your project. And now comes one of my most important tips, do not skip on the index. The index of a book or the find feature on a PDF is your best friend. Establish a set of key terms, find it in the index, and see which pages and sections directly reference your subject matter. Side note, establish a long list of applicable terms as the text may not directly use the same language as you do in your writing. At the end of the day, reading is all about purpose and strategy. Whether you are a slow reader or at the stage where you are seeking to focus on a specific subject and begin writing or publishing your research, I hope that these tips will be useful. Comment below anything that you learned and any tips you might like to share on how to read and take notes effectively with application in mind. Thank you all so much for watching today's video, I hope that it was helpful for you and that you got some useful tips out of it. And thank you so much again to Notion for sponsoring today's video. You guys know how much I love Notion, I talked about it earlier in the video. I am just so thrilled that I got to work with them on this particular collaboration. If this video is helpful for you all then go ahead and hit that subscribe button as well as the bell notification so you're notified next time I post. I have a lot of graduate admissions content coming for you in the coming months as well as fun vlogs. We're heading to London this summer for research so go ahead and stick around and I will see you all in the next video. Bye everyone.

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Danforth Campus transcript orders cost $10 per transcript, payable online using a credit card. The Office of the University Registrar is unable to take payment over the phone, or in-person. Requesters are responsible for any additional mailing fees for paper transcripts.

Please verify that the recipient information provided is correct before finalizing the order. Once submitted, orders cannot be corrected or refunded; students must place new orders.

Partial transcripts may be issued in certain circumstances.  If a student was enrolled in multiple levels of degree programs (Bachelors, Masters, PhD, Law, Medicine) it may be possible to send transcripts of only one level of study.  For instance, Law students who also earned an undergraduate degree may request only their Law School transcript. If different degrees were pursued at the same time (i.e. MSW and MBA, BS and MS) it may not be possible to separate coursework.  Coursework also cannot be separated within a degree program such that select terms are omitted.  In any case, all degrees awarded at WashU will be on the transcript, and a Remark on the transcript will note that it is a partial transcript (unless omitted coursework is from the Med School).

• Transcript Contents

Click below for the list of items that appear on the official Washington University in St. Louis transcript.

• Transcript Supplement

Explains grading systems, point values, and historical grading schemes to help interpret academic records.

• Verification of Enrollment & Degrees
• Student Information Records
• Biographical/Demographic Student Information Changes
• Veterans Benefits
• Program Completion & Graduation
• University Policy Information

MA & PhD Program Application Process

Application deadline.

All application materials should be  submitted electronically by 11:59 pm CT on  January 5 . We admit students to the RSTC MA and PhD programs only for the fall semester of each year. To help you prepare your application, we invite you to:

• read our admissions FAQ ; and
• register for one of our upcoming information sessions .

Before You Apply

Research our programs and the application process.

Learn more about our MA and PhD programs by exploring the Research Programs section of this website. In addition, we encourage you to review the following resources:

• RSTC Admissions FAQ ;
• the Graduate School Prospective Student Toolkit ; and
• The  Graduate School Diversity Office , including admissions and application consultations.

Register for an Information Session

We invite you to attend one of our free, virtual  information sessions ! We hold information sessions on Zoom in the fall before the application deadline. Program faculty and staff will answer your questions about coursework, the application process, career development, and more.

Select Your Degree

MA applicants must have completed a bachelor’s degree before beginning the RSTC program. PhD applicants must have a completed master’s degree before beginning the RSTC program. The master’s degree should be in a related discipline such as rhetoric, technical and professional communication, English, or communication studies. In the fall of their second year, MA students making satisfactory progress are invited to apply to the RSTC PhD program. MA courses transfer to the PhD upon admission.

Understand the Program Funding Opportunities

Review the  program funding opportunities . All RSTC applicants are automatically considered for funding. There is not a separate funding application. 

Contact Us with Questions!

We strive for transparency in our program requirements and admissions process. If you have questions about our programs or how to apply, please email Allie Cooperman, Graduate Programs Coordinator, at [email protected] .

Application Review and Timeline

As part of our commitment to an equitable and inclusive admissions process, we review your application materials holistically. We consider the following when reviewing your application materials:

• the alignment between your expressed interests and the focus of the program;
• strong academic preparation for graduate-level studies and potential for growth;
• scholarly and professional potential; and
• diversity, equity, and inclusion commitments.

We do not require GRE scores, nor will we review GRE scores if they are submitted. We also do not have a minimum required GPA.

All application materials must be submitted electronically through  the online admissions system by  January 5 at 11:59pm CT . Program faculty review applications after the deadline. All applicants can anticipate receiving a decision in February. 

Questions or Access Requests?

Please contact Allie Cooperman, Graduate Programs Coordinator, at [email protected] with any questions or access requests.

Application Requirements

The Graduate School must receive all of the following materials before your application will be considered. To ensure a consistent and equitable review process, we only review the materials listed below. Any additional materials will be redacted from the application prior to review.

Start your application now !

When you start your online application through the Graduate School, you will first select your intended program. Using the drop-down options, select:

• Campus : “University of Minnesota - Twin Cities”
• College/School: “Liberal Arts”
• Program: “Rhetoric and Scientific and Technical Communication MA” OR “Rhetoric and Scientific and Technical Communication PhD”

Next, complete the required application sections:

• Term Selection
• Biographical Information
• Personal Background
• Writing Studies

GRE scores are neither required nor considered for the MA and PhD programs. We recommend reviewing the  Graduate School’s admissions guide for additional application information.

You must upload an unofficial transcript (or equivalent academic record) from each undergraduate and graduate institution that you previously attended. See  important information about uploading transcripts from the Graduate School.

The University of Minnesota will only request official transcripts from students who are accepted and matriculate into a graduate program. Please do not mail paper copies of your transcripts.

Upload your unofficial transcripts in the Academic History section of the online application.

In no more than 500 words, articulate your academic and career goals. The goal of this statement is to give the faculty a clear sense of who you are, what your goals are, and why you think the University of Minnesota is the best place for you to pursue your graduate education. Consider the following questions (note: you do not need to answer all): 

• Why do you want to study rhetoric, writing studies, and/or technical communication at a graduate level?
• Why have you chosen to apply to the University of Minnesota? What about our program is exciting to you and why? Which faculty do you see yourself working with most closely and why? (It may be helpful to review  RSTC faculty profiles .)
• What are your core areas of research/teaching interest within the field? What do you anticipate will be the focus of your research/scholarly projects? E.g. What kinds of questions, problems, or topics do you want to pursue?
• What experiences, training, or education have prepared you to succeed in graduate-level work in rhetoric, writing studies, and/or technical communication?
• What are your long-term professional goals and how will the RSTC program help you pursue those goals? 

The primary audience of this statement is the RSTC graduate faculty.

Upload your Statement of Purpose in the Materials section of the online application. Read more about the Statement of Purpose in our  Admissions FAQ .

The Department of Writing Studies, in alignment with the broader University of Minnesota-Twin Cities community, recognizes that equity, diversity, and inclusion must be addressed at the individual, community, and systemic levels. Encouraging equity, diversity, and inclusion happens in representation, development of personal awareness, praxis, and policy. The department actively seeks to engage in creating socially just learning and workplace environments and opportunities. We encourage applicants to review the Department of Writing Studies’  Equity and Diversity Statement . 

In no more than 500 words, explain how you are prepared to contribute to our program’s commitment to equity, diversity, access, inclusion, and justice. Consider the following questions (note: you do not need to answer all): 

• What does enacting diversity, equity, inclusion, and access look like for you? How might those commitments show up in the work that you’ll do as a graduate student, researcher, teacher, and member of the University of Minnesota community? 
• In what ways are you prepared to advance equity, access, inclusion, justice, and diversity in your research, teaching, and graduate studies? 
• How might your perspective, experiences, training, and/or skills contribute to the diversity of the university's graduate student body?

Upload your Diversity Statement in the Materials section of the online application. Read more about the Diversity Statement in our  Admissions FAQ .

The Extenuating Circumstances statement is an optional component of our application process and is not applicable to all applicants. This is a space to share factors that might contextualize your application. For example, an applicant might address challenges that affected their grades. 

If applicable, upload your Extenuating Circumstances Statement in the Materials section of the online application. Read more about the Extenuating Circumstances Statement in our  Admissions FAQ .

Please provide a current curriculum vitae (CV) or resume. The document should include any academic awards or honors that you have received. 

Upload your CV or resume in the Materials section of the online application.

We require two writing samples of your academic or professional work. At least one sample must demonstrate your ability to carry out research and construct an argument based on research. Each sample should be 20 pages or fewer in length.

Upload your writing samples in the Materials section of the online application.

Request  three letters of recommendation through the online application system.  Recommendations from faculty are highly encouraged, although letters written by employers are also accepted. We strongly recommend one letter come from your advisor, a major professor, or department chair who can speak to your academic experience and potential, specifically for our program. We recommend that recommendation letters are submitted on letterhead as PDF attachments.

We encourage you to communicate the recommendation letter submission deadline (January 5) directly to your recommenders. The online application system does not include the deadline information in their request messages.

See  important information about letters of recommendation from the Graduate School and read more about letters of recommendation in our  Admissions FAQ . 

The Graduate School has specific  English language proficiency requirements for submitting a graduate program application. Note that employment as a teaching assistant (TA) or graduate instructor (GI) also has  requirements for demonstrating English proficiency . Given that many RSTC students work as TAs or GIs, we recommend reviewing both requirements when choosing to take an English proficiency test (e.g., TOEFL, IELTS).

The Graduate School provides  information on current application fees .

The RSTC program is dedicated to building an applicant pool that reflects our commitments to diversity, equity, inclusion, and access. We know that the application fee can be an obstacle to applying to a graduate program. In such cases, we may be able to help you find a fee waiver. Please email Allie Cooperman, the Graduate Programs Coordinator, at [email protected] for more information.

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Application Materials

Completed online application form.

Select Non-Degree & Other Certificate Programs within the online application system to access the application. 

You must submit all materials directly, not through an agent or third-party vendor, with the sole exception of submissions by the U.S. Department of State’s Fulbright Program and its three partner agencies IIE, LASPAU and AMIDEAST, and by the Danish-American Fulbright Commission (DAF), Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD), and Vietnam Education Fund (VEF). 

If you have any questions about this requirement, please contact the admissions office at visiting [[at]] sps [[dot]] columbia [[dot]] edu (visiting[at]sps[dot]columbia[dot]edu) .

$80.00 nonrefundable application fee (U.S. currency)

$80.00 non-refundable application fee (U.S. currency). Fee payment must accompany the online application.

Transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended

Transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended are required. In the Academic History section of your online application, you must list and upload unofficial transcripts for all colleges and universities you have attended for at least one term, regardless of the number of credits received. This includes any summer program(s), study abroad program(s), or transfer coursework (regardless of the number of credits received or whether these credits were transferred to your home institution).

Please note: your transcripts must include your full name, the institution name, all courses and grades earned at that institution. Your transcripts must also confirm your current enrollment and degree conferral. 

Domestic Institutions You must list and upload unofficial transcripts for all post-secondary institutions you have attended full-time for at least one term. This includes any summer program(s), study abroad program(s), or transfer coursework including any additional mark sheets, official translations, or degree certificates for international transcripts as needed with the exception of: 

• Coursework where no credits are earned. 
• You completed a total of 11 credits or less (on a traditional U.S. credit system) outside of your degree-granting institution and those credits appear on your degree-granting institution transcript.

If requested, applicants may be required to provide transcripts from any and all post-secondary institutions. 

International Institutions You must list and upload unofficial transcripts for all post-secondary institutions you have attended full-time for at least one term. This includes any summer program(s), study abroad program(s), or transfer coursework including any additional mark sheets, official translations, or degree certificates for international transcripts as needed with the exception of: 

• Coursework where no credits are earned.
• You completed a total of 11 credits or less (on a traditional U.S. credit system) outside of your degree-granting institution and those credits appear on your degree-granting institution transcript. 

Before your application can be considered complete and ready for evaluation you must submit official transcripts from your institution. For Indian universities, this includes all semester mark sheets. If your university provides transcripts in a language other than English, both the original language document and English translation are required.

Admissions staff will carefully review these official translations for accuracy and authenticity, and investigate any credentials that seem suspect if a student is being considered for admission.

All applicants must submit certified and secure electronic transcripts directly from their institution or via the vendor that provides that service for their institution to transcripts [[at]] sps [[dot]] columbia [[dot]] edu (transcripts[at]sps[dot]columbia[dot]edu) .

If a school does not offer electronic delivery, you must write to transcripts [[at]] sps [[dot]] columbia [[dot]] edu (transcripts[at]sps[dot]columbia[dot]edu) to provide us with the link to your institution’s web page regarding transcript orders. After verification, we will respond with further instructions.

If requested, applicants may be required to provide transcripts from any and all post-secondary institutions.   

Documents required if admitted:

If your institution is within the United States You must submit a certified and secure electronic transcript sent directly from the institution or via the vendor that provides that service for their institution to transcripts [[at]] sps [[dot]] columbia [[dot]] edu (transcripts[at]sps[dot]columbia[dot]edu) . If a school does not offer electronic delivery, you must write to transcripts [[at]] sps [[dot]] columbia [[dot]] edu (transcripts[at]sps[dot]columbia[dot]edu) to provide us with the link to your institution's web page regarding transcript orders. After verification, we will respond with further instructions.

If your institution is located outside of the United States You will have provided an official transcript from the institution for use in review of your application. No other transcripts are required at this time.  

Please note: The School of Professional Studies will not accept as official any transcript submitted directly by an applicant, either in person, via email or by mail.

Falsification, forgery, and misrepresentation of any type will risk forfeiture of admissions and/or enrollment. Forfeiture may occur whenever an integrity lapse is discovered, and may include admissions revocation, expulsion, or another sanction outlined within the Student Conduct and Community Standards . Applicants would not be entitled to request any refund of the application fee, enrollment deposit or tuition in the case that the official transcript deviates from the unofficial. 

Your résumé

Please upload your résumé or CV. Please be sure to include all relevant work experience, professional organizations, or activities that would be relevant to evaluating your candidacy for admission.

Students whose native language is not English must include proof of English proficiency

English language proficiency.

If your native language is  not English, you must provide official scores on the TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo English Test (DET) unless both of the following are true:

• The language of instruction of your undergraduate degree conferring institution is English.
• You completed two or more years at the institution.

Applicant total scores must meet the Columbia SPS minimum requirement of 100 (TOEFL iBT), 7.0 (IELTS Academic) or 130 (DET) to be admissible. You will be required to enter your test scores or your anticipated testing date within the online application, and official test score reports will be required for your application to be considered complete and ready for admission review. TOEFL and IELTS Academic scores are valid for two years after your test date. Applicants receiving scores below the posted minimums may be advised to apply directly to the American Language Program. 

• To submit TOEFL iBT scores: Visit www.ets.org and send your official score to our school code 2594. Please note: we do not accept TOEFL best scores.
• To submit IELTS Academic scores: After you have submitted your application, please upload your unofficial IELTS Academic score report. Alternatively, you can also send us your official score through your testing center.
• To submit DET scores: Visit https://englishtest.duolingo.com . Filter by “Graduate” and choose “Columbia University - School of Professional Studies” as the recipient.

Please note: if you send your scores to the university before submitting your application, please contact visiting [[at]] sps [[dot]] columbia [[dot]] edu ( visiting[at]sps[dot]columbia[dot]edu ) after your application is submitted so the scores can be associated with your record. 

Last Published 8/16/24

The Registrar facilitates registration, makes updates to academic records, evaluates transfer credit, and provides services, such as transcripts and enrollment verifications. 

Registration Information

Registration Appointment Times

Registration appointment times are based on graduation status, class level, and units earned. Continuing students register first, followed by new graduate and new returning students, and then new undergraduate students (first-time freshman and transfer student). The date indicated in your Student Center represents the first date you can access Titan Online to enroll in classes. If you attempt to register before your assigned date and time, you will not be granted access.

Registration Helpline

For registration assistance, call (657) 278-7601.

Helpline hours: Monday- Friday from 8 a.m.- 5 p.m.

Course Enrollment

At your registration appointment time, you may begin to officially enroll in your selected classes. You're encouraged to enroll as soon as possible starting at your registration appointment time, as classes fill up quickly.

Schedule of Classes

Registration Holds

You can view any holds you may have in your Titan Online, as well as additional information pertaining to clearing the hold and the office to contact for that specific hold. All holds must be cleared prior to your TITAN registration appointment.

If you have questions about the hold and how you may have it removed, go to your Titan Student Homepage, and click on the hold to identify the office that placed the hold on your account.   

Waitlist for Classes

If a class is full, you can place yourself on a waitlist for seats that might become available. If a seat becomes available, the student highest on the waitlist will be enrolled. If you are moved from the waitlist into the class, you will receive an email notification.

Students will not be billed for waitlisted classes but will be billed if moved from a waitlist into a class and the additional units result in higher registration fees. It is important to check your class schedule and account summary regularly to avoid possible cancellation due to a newly added class(es).

If a student is moved from the waitlist into a class, it is the student's responsibility to drop the class (as with any other class) if they decide not to attend. Failure to do so will result in a 'WU' grade on their record, which will lower their grade point average.

The deadlines for waitlist options are available at Key Dates and Deadlines .

Waitlist Restrictions

Students will be moved from the waitlist into the class if space becomes available, in the order placed, unless:

• There is a time conflict with another registered class. Time conflicts are not checked when you place yourself on a waitlist, ensure that waitlisted classes do not conflict with your enrolled schedule.
• You are already enrolled in another section of the same course. Do not use waitlisting to try to get into another section of a course in which you are already enrolled, as you will not be moved from the waitlist if space becomes available. 
• Enrollment from waitlist will exceed student's maximum unit limit for the term. Unit limits are viewable in the Student Center under enrollment details.

Check your schedule regularly in your Titan Homepage to monitor your position on a waitlist. If you decide you no longer wish to wait for space to become available, you should drop yourself from a waitlist.

Dropping & Withdrawing

When you no longer plan to complete a class that you are enrolled in, you must drop or withdraw from the class. The process to drop or withdraw varies depending on when you decide to do so. The deadlines to drop or withdraw are available at Key Dates and Deadlines .

• During the first two weeks of class, you may drop one or more classes using self-service registration on Titan Homepage.
• Starting the third week of class, if you wish to withdraw from a class, you must complete the online withdrawal request.
• Types of Withdrawls
• Dropping a Class

Unofficial Transcript

Official Transcript

Bachelor's Degree Candidates

Prospective graduates must apply online via Student Homepage for graduation. Students must apply online one semester prior to the term in which they anticipate completing all requirements for a degree.

• A processed graduation application and $115 graduation fee must be payed before you can advance to the degree candidacy status required for inclusion on the candidacy list, commencement, and awarding of your degree.

For important graduation deadlines, visit the Office of the Registrar .

Master's or Doctoral Degree Candidates

Graduate students are required to file and pay for a graduation check by the deadline. Must apply for graduation online via Student Homepage.

• The $115 graduation fee must be paid immediately after applying for the graduation check online. You are not considered a candidate for graduation until the fee is paid in the full amount.

For important information and graduation deadlines, visit the Office of Graduate Studies .

For additional information, visit Office of the Registrar.

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