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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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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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/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
• 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, SpanTran, 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] . 

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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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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 on page ten of the application under the “Additional Information” section. Do not submit any transcripts from a community or junior college, non-degree, or study abroad coursework to Rackham unless you attended a Non-U.S. institution.

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:

• Print a copy of your e-transcript.
• Scan the printed transcript and upload.

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.

• 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 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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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.

Official Transcripts & Degree Conferral Documents

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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).

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If you attended a different school within Harvard, please visit your Registrar's Office website to order a transcript:

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Request your transcript

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. 

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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.

Disable your pop-up blocker: An active pop-up blocker will prevent you from opening your unofficial transcript. Learn how to disable your pop-up blocker .

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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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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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

May 2, 2023

Official Transcripts

By Riley Lehren-Chavez

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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
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• 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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Transcript Requests

Please note: transcript processing is currently 2-4 business days. Transcripts are processed in the order they are received.

Transcripts for undergraduate programs, PhD programs and most master’s and professional programs are issued by the Office of the University Registrar and should be selected in Parchment as “Danforth Campus” transcripts.

Students and alumni of Audiology and Communication Sciences, Clinical Investigation, Genetic Epidemiology, Health Administration, Nurse Anesthesia, Occupational Therapy, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Physical Therapy, Psychiatric Epidemiology, Dentistry and MD programs must add the Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine as an additional school to their accounts and then order the appropriate WUSM transcript type.

Please note that the Office of the University Registrar does not accept transcripts from other institutions.  Coursework that is transferring from other institutions needs to be sent directly to your school’s academic office . Similarly, Washington University does not release nor certify copies of transcripts or other academic documents received from other institutions.

Transcripts can be ordered via WebSTAC  using WUSTL Key self-service tools for assistance.

Students are encouraged to review their academic record at WebSTAC before requesting an official transcript, particularly when final grades are being posted. An unofficial transcript report is available in WebSTAC for this purpose.  Please contact the Help Desk at 314-933-3333 if you need WUSTL Key assistance.

Please note for those who attended prior to 1978, please refer to the option below, “ Ordering Without a WUSTL Key”.

Former students who do not have a WUSTL Key should order an official transcript directly via Parchment’s website . 

Danforth Campus transcripts are processed by Washington University within 3 business days, except at peak times such as end-of-term and graduation, when processing times will be longer. Requesters may select electronic, mail, or pick-up in the University Registrar’s office as their delivery option.

Once processed, electronic delivery documents are sent immediately to the recipient.  Both the sender (student) and recipient of the transcript(s) will received emails from Parchment (not Washington University in St. Louis) regarding the transmission of the transcript. Check junk/spam folders if an email has not been received after the order is placed. Electronic transcripts are delivered to the requested recipient as a secure PDF document which the recipient will be required to download.

Secure PDF documents contain blue ribbon security features . The blue ribbon symbol (seen at the top of the file when opened in Adobe Reader) is your assurance that the digital signature is valid, and the contents of the document have not been altered. Adobe Reader and Adobe Acrobat have the best compatibility.

Paper transcripts are delivered via the service selected by the requester. Transcripts may be sent using the United States Postal Service (USPS) First Class Mail, which does not provide a tracking number to monitor the status of the delivery. For an additional cost , students can ship a transcript with tracking or other expedited shipping options. Paper transcripts can also be picked up at the Office of the Registrar with valid photo ID. Transcripts will be retained in the office for 60 days and will be destroyed if not picked up within that timeframe.

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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.

While the answer to the query, “Do grad schools look at transcripts?” is a resounding yes, take note that in the intricate process of graduate school admissions, transcripts certainly play a vital role, but they are not the be-all and end-all.

These documents provide a detailed account of your academic history, showcasing your academic prowess, intellectual curiosity, and ability to improve but keep in mind that graduate admissions take a holistic approach.

Admissions officers examine your potential beyond just the numbers. Aspects like your statement of purpose, recommendation letters, research experience, and even personal qualities contribute to your overall profile.

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.

Navigating college’s demanding schedule with academic obligations, extracurricular activities, and part-time jobs can be overwhelming for students. This is where admissions experts like AdmissionSight step in to provide strategic guidance.

Our experts help students build a strong transcript amidst their bustling college life, offering advice on course selection, balancing academic rigor and a manageable workload, and strategies for achieving consistent academic performance.

Moreover, at AdmissionSight, we understand the value of extracurricular activities and part-time jobs in showcasing a student’s time management, dedication, and real-world skills, advising students on leveraging these experiences in their applications.

By offering tailored strategies and insightful feedback, our experts assist students in building a solid transcript and crafting a compelling narrative for the holistic graduate school admissions process.

Feel free to schedule your initial consultation with our experts today!

Want to assess your chances of admission? Take our FREE chances calculator today!

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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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As a graduate student, you may need to complete a thesis or dissertation as part of your program's graduation requirements. While theses are common among master’s students and dissertations among doctoral students, this may not apply universally across all programs. We encourage you to reach out to your program adviser to determine the specific requirements for your culminating project.

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What should transcripts for a Ph.D. look like?

Discussion in ' Off-Topic Discussions ' started by Jacques , Jan 15, 2004 .

Jacques New Member

Hi everybody. First of all, I sincerely want to thank everyone for the kind words and advice about my step-son and his attempts to obtain a RA degree. I will advise later how this is going. I have a problem and want to know what to do. I own a small company in NW Georgia close to Chattanooga, and I am reviewing applications for a position, and have come across something strange. First of all, is there a web site for Scotland to verify academic crenditials, like Australia has? ( http://www.degreeoftruth.com.au/home.htm ) English is not my first language, and I have lived in several countries, including Scotland. Well, I have interviewed an applicant who is claiming a Ph.D. from the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow. (This job does not require a Ph.d. of course). He would not let me make a copy of his transcript, citing identity theft worries. When I asked him about Scotland, his answers just didn't seem to add up. But he said he was busy studying, so who knows. Well, to be truthful, it was a long time since I lived in Scotland. It was just a feeling that he wasn't truthful to me. For instance, sometimes, he would look to his right, then another time to his left. Maybe I watch too many police shows. Now, you might say, why not just ignore this guy. Well, I guess for a couple of reasons. One, my step-son is sick and wants to obtain a federal job for the health benefits and pay. But he is not cheating. He will earn his degree. (By the way, Excelsior said on the phone that they will not accept his Draughon's credits since they are not RA.) The other is that I am sick of how people lie now in this country. When I was little, we looked to America as an example to the rest of the world. Now, America (and I am an American citizen now) is laughed at. And so, if this guy is lying and faking and cheating, well, I want him to know that I know. Well, I have learned so much from this site in just a few weeks, and grateful for all the help, and if someone thinks of a search I can do here to save people posting, that would be fine. Anyway, from what I remember about his transcripts, is that it listed his Ph.d. work from 1997-2003. It did not list his dissertation title. His Ph.D. is in economics. I emailed and phoned University of Strathclyde but they said that I needed his student ID number to verify. I remember he had 5-6 classes every school term for 6 years. Isn't that too long for a Ph.d.? I thought one could obtain a Ph.D. in 4 years. Also, how can I go about getting him to let me make a copy so that I can verify it? Maybe you people think that I am crazy, but it really makes me mad that someone might try and cheat me. I am sick of liars and a lack of morals. I want this guy to know that he cannot fool me. Well, perhaps I am a bit angry now. I thank everyone for letting me sound off here. Good day.  

roysavia New Member

In the UK most PhDs are awarded when a student successfully defends his/her dissertation. I find it strange that this candidate has taken doctoral level courses for nearly 6 years. In Europe, Africa and Australian, many PhD programs are dissertation only. In North America, PhD programs are structured to include coursework, comprehensive exams and a dissertation. Transcripts usually indicate the title of the dissertation. Strange that his transcripts don't disclose this since the dissertation is usually a major component of the program. You many need to get his student number and verify this with the university. Also, have him provide you with some of his course work. You will be able to see for yourself if he is telling the truth or playing games.  

Jack Tracey New Member

Based on what you've said, I don't blame you for being suspicious. The "identity theft" issue has got to be a red herring. I would think that the easiest thing to do would be to simply say that you want to speak to his dissertation advisor as one of his employment references. Clearly, a PhD is a major undertaking and a doctoral degree advisor should be able to tell you much about the person's work habits and general knowledge in his area of study (which I assume is relevant, even if a PhD is not required for the position). If he resists I'd lose his number and forget his name. Jack  

mdg1775 New Member

I concur with Jack Originally posted by Jack Tracey Clearly, a PhD is a major undertaking and a doctoral degree advisor should be able to tell you much about the person's work habits and general knowledge in his area of study (which I assume is relevant, even if a PhD is not required for the position). If he resists I'd lose his number and forget his name. Jack Click to expand...

Originally posted by Jacques Maybe you people think that I am crazy, but it really makes me mad that someone might try and cheat me. I am sick of liars and a lack of morals. I want this guy to know that he cannot fool me. Well, perhaps I am a bit angry now. I thank everyone for letting me sound off here. Good day. Click to expand...

GENO New Member

I dont think this is a difficult decision. State that you verify all educational and prior work experiences and you need additional evidence of his educational/vocational claims. If he resists in providing them then inform this person that he is no longer a serious candidate for the position and proceed to the next. End of issue. Liars and cheats know no nationality, the world is full of them and most hold some political office. I digress. I am sure you will find a credible and qualified candidate soon.  

nosborne48 Well-Known Member

Conventional wisdom is that if you feel that kind of edgy feeling that "something ain't right" it probably isn't  

drwetsch New Member

Strathclyde is at least a good start as it is a good university. The Ph.D. transcript will not necessarily show the name of the dissertation but it should show the credits earned for the dissertation work. My Ph.D. transcript does this while my master's transcript also shows the name of the thesis. What is best is to request a transcript from the univeristy. Have the applicant do this but have it sent directly to you and not the job candidate. When you get the transcript the student ID number should be there and then you can call the University and verify his credential. John  

jon porter New Member

Jacques, It is quite conceivable that he simply doesn't have a transcript -- I don't for my (Nottingham) PhD, nor for my (St Andrews) MPhil. Six years is a touch long: the British PhD funding agencies get very antsy nowadays about completing the degree in 4 years or so. (My (leisurely) 5-year PhD probably wouldn't be allowed under the new rules.) I'd ask him for his advisor's name, e-mail, and phone number, and get in touch with Strathclyde if you're really interested in finding out. Or, as others have suggested, move on. jon  

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PhD in Information Admissions & Funding

Thank you for your interest in applying for admission to the PhD in Information.

Prospective students are required to submit application materials directly to the  University of Arizona Graduate College . Please read the information below and then submit your application prior to the annual deadline:

Application Deadline

Annual deadline for all students.

• Fall 2025: December 6, 2024

Application is currently open.

PhD Program Funding

The College of Information Science successfully supports all PhD students in securing funding, including full tuition plus a stipend for living expenses, through at least four years of the program.

Funding sources may include research assistantships, teaching assistantships or other forms of support. Additional sources of funding may be available, such as summer funding secured through sponsored research and  summer teaching opportunities.

How to Apply

To apply, you must complete the University of Arizona Graduate College online application . Follow these steps:

• Create a GradApp account
• Complete your GradApp profile under "My Account".
• Select "Apply to a Program" from the sidebar.
• Choose "Degree Seeking" under application type and "Information (PHD)" under program of study.
• Choose the semester during which you wish to enter the program.
• Your application should now be initiated under "My Active Applications."

Admission Requirements

Admission to the doctoral program is competitive and based on both your abilities and faculty interest and expertise in your proposed area of study.

The College of Information Science may deny entry to an otherwise qualified applicant if there is insufficient faculty intellectual overlap for working with that applicant.

A GRE is not required as part of our admissions process.

Our faculty consider the overall package when making candidate evaluations, including:

• An undergraduate or graduate academic record that is indicative of significant achievement (typically a minimum GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale)
• A minimum of three letters of recommendation that clearly speak to your promise as a graduate student and as a doctoral student
• A resume or CV indicating both employment and educational experience to date
• A statement of intent outlining why you are applying to this particular program and what you consider the outcome of doctoral study will be
• An interview, on campus or by phone, with selected members of the faculty may occur

See also minimum admission requirements from the University of Arizona Graduate College. Also refer to our  information for international applicants  if needed.

Application Checklist

You are required to submit the following materials as part of your online application. Your application will not be processed until all required information is received.

Statement of Purpose

The Statement of Purpose is an important component of your application to the PhD program; the admissions committee will use it to evaluate your research experience, fit with the college/faculty, and ability to be successful in the PhD program. Please be sure to describe:

• Your research interests, including one potential project you would like to pursue. You will not be required to undertake this project if admitted; we understand that research interests evolve over time. We want to better understand the kinds of problems you want to solve, and whether we have faculty who can support you in that work. We are also looking for evidence of intellectual curiosity and motivation.
• Your past research experience/skills and other relevant background information. Why are you interested in pursuing a PhD and what has prepared you for this work? 
• Your career objectives. What would you like to do after your PhD?
• Your interest in the University of Arizona College of Information Science. Why are you specifically interested in our doctoral program? Please identify at least two College of Information Science faculty who you would like to work with.

Transcripts

Upload unofficial transcripts from all higher educational institutions attended as part of the online application. (Please note that unofficial transcripts are needed from each individual institution even if they are listed on the final transcript where the degree was issued.)

Official e-transcripts can be sent to  [email protected]  directly from the institution. Official transcripts can be requested after the graduate college has provided requirements in their letter once admittance has occurred.

English Language Proficiency

Proof of English proficiency is required for any international applicant born in a country where English is not the official language. Please check our  English Requirement  list to verify your need to submit an English proficiency test. These tests must be dated within 2 years of the enrollment term to be considered valid.

Acceptable English proficiency tests are: 

• Test of English as a Foreign Language  (TOEFL): Minimum score of 79 IBT (or 60 on the revised PBT with no section score lower than 15). Individual MyBest scores must also be dated within 2 years of the enrollment term to be considered valid.
• International English Language Testing System  (IELTS): Minimum composite score of 7, with no subject area below a 6
• Pearson PTE Academic : Minimum score of 60
• Graduate  English Language Endorsement  from the Center for English as a Second Language (CESL)
• CEPT Full Academic test : Offered by our Center for English as a Second Language (CESL), minimum Total score of 110.

Those exempt from submitting English proficiency scores are:

• Applicants from countries where English is the official language.
• Applicants who have completed a bachelor's or graduate degree at a regionally accredited institution in the United States, or an approved institution in an official English speaking country. Degree must not be older than 2 years from the term of enrollment.
• Applicants who have completed 2 years of full-time academic study must have 48 upper division, graded undergraduate semester units or 30 graded, graduate semester units.

Upload your unofficial TOEFL scores as part of the online application. You must also submit official scores through ETS using institution code 4832.

Letters of Recommendation

Provide email addresses and contact information for three recommenders in the ‘Letters of Recommendation’ section of the online application.

Upload a current resume or curriculum vitae (CV) as part of the online application in the Supplemental Questions section.

Writing Sample (Optional)

You may choose to include a sample of your prior research. This can be a formerly published research paper, a class project or anything else that you feel demonstrates your research expertise and writing skills.

Additional Forms

You may also need to complete:

• A domicile affidavit if you wish to have in-state (Arizona) status .  Mail or fax the form directly to the Residency Classification Office.  All students are considered out-of-state residents until domicile affidavits are processed. See Residency Guidelines and also review information about   Proposition 300 .
• A financial guarantee form (international students)
• An immunization form to be sent directly to Campus Health. Students will not be allowed to register for classes until they have met the University's immunization requirements. For more information, see the Campus Health Service's  immunization requirements .

If you have any questions, contact us at [email protected] .

Are you ready to work with top faculty while conducting original research on information's grand challenges?

If so, you're ready to apply to the University of Arizona PhD in Information at the College of Information Science:

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The University of Dayton and Parchment have partnered to provide you with the ability to order transcripts, digital and print, online 24/7! Online requests allow for the most efficient processing of your order. In-person requests are no longer accepted.

How to Request My Transcript

• Log into Porches . On the Flyer Student Services page , click "Official Transcript Request" in the popular links.
• Follow the ordering process with Parchment accordingly.
• Click on the Parchment link, select Order my Transcript option from the drop-down menu, and enter "University of Dayton." Or, if you've ordered a transcript from Parchment in the past, simply sign into your Parchment account by clicking on the ‘Already Have an Account’ link, and follow the instructions.
• Federal law (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act – FERPA ) requires that you provide a signed consent to request access to your academic record.  You will also be asked to verify your identity, under penalty of law, within your order.
• To check the status of your order, please visit Parchment Track An Order site .

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Parchment will deliver electronic (PDF) transcript requests as soon as they are authorized by the University's Office of the Registrar. Print orders will be sent out the same day if they are processed by the Office of the Registrar before 3 p.m. PST. Mail delivery times vary between USPS and FedEx. You will be able to trace the delivery of your transcript on the ‘Orders’ tab within your Parchment account once it ships from Parchment.

You will be notified via email every time your order status changes. Please know your transcript request will not be processed until your information on the order form has been verified, and all holds on your student account have been resolved.

During the transcript ordering process, you will have the option to upload documents to your transcript order. Please only upload documents that are complete and ready to be attached to your transcript, as these will not be reviewed when we fulfill your order.

You may contact Parchment's support staff by submitting their  contact us  form on their website (or within your Parchment account) if you experience any technical difficulties with your transcript order. You may also use this form to cancel your transcript order and seek a credit or refund from Parchment.

All transcripts issued from Parchment are official transcripts. Unofficial transcripts can be accessed through  Porches  and/or DegreeWorks.

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If you require an Apostille Service, please visit the Flyers Student Services Office or email us to make this request.

Steps for Apostille Service

• Mail your request for a notarized transcript (along with the transcript fee) directly to the following address: Flyer Student Services University of Dayton 300 College Park Dayton, Ohio 45469-1601
• The applicable fee
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• Pre-paid envelope addressed to yourself

*On the homepage of the Ohio Secretary of State website under Records , you will find the Authentication and Apostilles information. This includes the procedures to follow, as well as a FAQ and forms and fees. On the Submission Information link, you can find a cover letter to use with your request.

If you have completed a certificate program with the Institute for Pastoral Initiatives, please email [email protected] .

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• Rules Banning Transcript Holds, Expanding Overtime Now in Effect

A suite of new regulations governing higher education took effect Monday. Here’s what you should know about the key measures now in place—and the legal challenges they face.

By  Katherine Knott

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The Biden administration’s regulations changing how colleges are held accountable and adding new requirements for institutions to access federal financial aid are now in place, though legal challenges loom. 

A host of new federal regulations took effect Monday, and Education Department officials say the new rules make up part of “the most effective system ever to oversee predatory and low-quality institutions of postsecondary education.”

Several of those regulations and other changes that became effective July 1 are facing legal challenges, and some have been blocked. Whether they remain in place may depend on how federal courts interpret Friday’s Supreme Court ruling that limits the regulatory power of federal agencies—and on the outcome of the presidential election in November.

The wide-ranging set of regulations boosts oversight of postsecondary programs, flags colleges at risk of closure and puts new requirements in place for colleges to access federal financial aid. The Education Department also is limiting when a university can withhold a student’s transcript and requiring institutions to provide adequate career services and more information on financial aid offers to students, including details of the actual cost of the education being provided. Several new benefits for student loan borrowers enrolled in a new income-driven repayment plan also took effect Monday.

Elsewhere in the federal government, the Biden administration’s rule expanding overtime eligibility to lower-paid workers kicked in this week. The rule could mean a pay boost for thousands of employees on college campuses, though a federal judge has blocked the change for state workers in Texas.

Taken together, this round of new rules and regulations involves significant changes in institutional accountability, consumer protections for students and employee pay. Below is a breakdown of some of the key changes and the legal challenges that could thwart them.

Expanding Overtime Eligibility

Employees who work in an executive, administrative or professional capacity and make less than $43,888 are now eligible for overtime pay. Previously, employees who earned more than $35,568 a year were exempt from overtime. The overtime threshold is set to increase again, to $58,656, starting Jan. 1, 2025.

This first increase is expected to extend overtime benefits to about one million workers across all sectors of the economy, the White House said in a statement Monday. Once the second increase kicks in, another three million will be eligible for overtime. The salary threshold will then increase every three years starting in 2027.

On college campuses, nearly 11,000 employees across 646 institutions will be affected by the July 1 increase, according to an analysis by College and University Professional Association for Human Resources (CUPA-HR). The Jan. 1 increase will affect many more—nearly 59,000 employees across 882 institutions.

To comply with the rule, colleges and universities can either reclassify salaried employees to hourly and pay them overtime or pay employees more so they can be exempt from overtime.

Workers likely to see a pay raise or receive overtime pay are admissions officers, counselors and advisers, student affairs professionals, and administrative staff. Coaches, faculty members and nonfaculty workers focused primarily on teaching aren’t affected because of a teaching exemption in federal labor law.

Colleges and universities have warned that raising the overtime threshold could mean tuition increases or layoffs, along with other disruptions. CUPA-HR, which opposed the overtime change, says that the new salary thresholds will have an especially negative impact on the bottom lines of institutions with fewer resources. The Jan. 1 increase, further, will cause a “widespread negative impact to higher ed institutions,” CUPA says.

The state of Texas , along with a coalition of groups led by the Plano Chamber of Commerce, have sued the Department of Labor over the rule, arguing in part that setting the new salary thresholds exceeded the agency’s authority. On Friday, a federal district judge put the rule on hold for state employees in Texas.

Editors’ Picks

• U.S. Bans Most Withholding of Transcripts
• A Florida Law Has Nearly Killed Campus Voter Registration Drives

Bolstering Oversight of Career Education Programs

For-profit colleges and nondegree programs in any sector will now need to show that their graduates are earning enough to afford their annual debt payments—and that they are making more than an adult in their state who didn’t go to college.

Those who fail either of those tests in two consecutive years could lose access to federal financial aid under the Biden administration’s new, stricter gainful-employment rule —a measure that backers say provides critical guardrails to protect students. The department is planning to begin reporting data on students’ debt and earnings and penalize failing programs in July 2026.

This marks the third time in the last 14 years that the federal government has sought to hold certain for-profit and nondegree programs accountable for their students’ outcomes. The 2011 iteration was struck down by the courts and the 2014 version was upheld, though the Trump administration later rescinded it.

All colleges and universities have until Oct. 1 to report new program-level information , including the total cost of attendance and the amount of private education loans disbursed to students, under regulations for a new financial value transparency framework that’s part of the gainful-employment rule. The data was initially due July 31, but the department pushed the deadline back a few months following delays and issues with the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

Graduate degree and certificate programs are subject to new requirements under the financial value transparency provisions. Students who enroll in a graduate program that leaves completers with debt they can’t afford will have to sign a disclosure notice starting in 2026. Education Department officials have said that about 400 graduate programs enrolling roughly 120,000 students would be subject to the disclosure requirement.

The American Association of Cosmetology Schools sued the Education Department over gainful employment in December, arguing that the rule would jeopardize the “very existence” of its schools. That lawsuit is ongoing.

In a separate lawsuit, the Ogle School, a Texas-based beauty school, sought a preliminary injunction to block the entire rule from taking effect. A Texas district judge denied that request last month.

Banning Transcript Holds

Another new rule takes aim at a controversial practice at colleges and universities: withholding a student’s transcript when they owe money to the institution. Without a transcript, students who transfer to another institution can’t prove they’ve earned college credits and have to start over. Ending the practice nationally could help about six million students access their college credits.

Federal regulations no longer allow colleges that receive federal financial aid to withhold transcripts for course credits paid for with federal money. Some experts have said that could amount to a national ban on the practice. That’s because it will be difficult for institutions to determine which credits were paid for with federal money and then provide transcripts for only those courses.

A recent survey from the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers found that most respondents planned to eliminate transcript holds.

The ban on withholding transcripts is among several new conditions added to the program-participation agreements that colleges must sign with the government in order to access federal financial aid.

New Benefits for Borrowers

The final pieces of the Biden administration’s new income-driven repayment program, known as Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE), are now in place after a federal appeals court blocked a lower court’s injunction Monday.

SAVE is the culmination of President Biden’s efforts to forgive student loans and fix previous debt-relief programs that didn’t work as intended. Experts say SAVE could overhaul the way students pay for college and be more far-reaching than any of the other student loan policy changes.

The legal back-and-forth had created uncertainty for borrowers and prompted the Education Department to essentially pause loan payments for three million people.

The appeals court decision restored several benefits for borrowers that had been slated to begin Monday before a district judge enjoined them last week. (In a separate lawsuit, a federal judge in Missouri blocked the Biden administration from forgiving any more loans via the new repayment program. That injunction is still in place.)

Undergraduate borrowers in the program will now see their monthly student loan payments cut in half, and the department can automatically enroll borrowers in default into SAVE, among other changes. Some provisions of SAVE have been in effect since last summer.

The income-driven repayment plan, more generous than its predecessors, sets monthly payments to as low as $0 for low-income individuals and offers forgiveness after 10 years of repayment for those who initially borrowed $12,000 or less, among other terms. Nearly eight million borrowers have signed up for SAVE, about half of whom now have no monthly payments.

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School of Education

Educators are liberators because knowledge is transformative.

UCR School of Education Announces 2024 Ph.D. Doctoral Graduates

The SOE is proud to announce and celebrate our doctoral graduates who successfully defended their dissertations this academic year. Congratulations to all!

Name : Carlos A. Galan

Dissertation Title : For (Y)Our Eyes Only: Latina/o/x Faculty Navigating Tenure Expectations at Hispanic Serving Institutions

Dissertation Abstract : This study explores the experiences of 30Latina/o/x faculty navigating tenure expectations at Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs). The author uses qualitative interviews, guided by organizational theory and epistemic exclusion, to identify organizational conditions, policies, and practices that promote or impede the professional development and progression of Latina/o/x faculty in tenure-track appointments.  

The research in this study reveals four main findings that suggest striking parallels between HSIs and Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs). The first finding details participants’ pathways into the professoriate. The second finding illustrates how Latina/o/x faculty experienced uneven levels of support as they navigated ambiguous, contradictory, and vague tenure expectations. The third finding emphasizes how Latina/o/x faculty members’ experiences managing tenure requirements at HSIs were dominated by the salience of being undervalued and disrespected in their contributions to research, teaching, and service while dealing with microaggressions. The fourth finding highlights how Latina/o/x professors coped with epistemic exclusion and shortcomings in their socialization experiences as they undertook the role of tenure-track professors at their respective institutions.  

The findings of this study have direct implications for diversifying the professoriate and improving educational outcomes for Latina/o/x students in higher education. Through these four findings, the author argues that the experiences of Latina/o/x professors in tenure-track appointments continue the history of a lack of institutional support that haunts the Latina/o/x community in higher education. The author introduces the concept of "Confianza" to combat the salience of epistemic exclusion in the organizational socialization of Latina/o/x faculty as a way to enact servingness at HSIs to better serve the Latina/o/x faculty and the Latina/o/x community in higher education.

Chair : Dr. Raquel M. Rall, Chairperson  

Committee Members : Dr. Eddie Comeaux, Dr. Louie F. Rodriguez

Future Plans : I will start a tenure-track position at CSU San Bernardino’s Watson College of Education; I will be part of the Special Education Rehabilitation and Counseling program.  

Reflection : I had a relatively good time at UC Riverside, but I am convinced I could not have completed a doctoral program without my wonderful advisor and dissertation chair, Dr. Raquel M. Rall. Thank you for taking a chance on me and fostering my growth throughout these years. Thank you for exemplifying what leading with excellence and grace truly is. Being your student, Dr. Rall, means answering the call to lead and do good work, but most importantly, work that matters. I hope to continue to answer that call.

I am grateful to my committee members, Dr. Eddie Comeaux and Dr. Louie Rodriguez. Your guidance and leadership were critical to completing my dissertation. Additionally, I express gratitude to my dissertation co-creators, students, SOE faculty and staff, as well as friends and family who supported and cheered for me throughout my educational journey. Nothing is done alone, because of you, I am.

Name : Elissa Monteiro

Dissertation Title : Teachers as a Viable Mechanism of Change to Support Students’ Self-Regulation

Dissertation Abstract : Self-regulation is a multidimensional set of skills critical for providing students the foundation for goal-based, self-controlled behavior. These skills are a predictor of students’ academic success and behavioral, social, and emotional well-being. A wealth of research has been dedicated to implementation of evidence-based interventions targeting students’ self-regulation, particularly for students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) whom teachers often report are more stressful to teach. Lack of knowledge about ADHD, low self-efficacy in supporting students with ADHD, and negative student-teacher relationships have been found to contribute to teacher stress. However, there remains a need to address whether teacher factors (e.g., knowledge about ADHD, experience working with students with ADHD) influence the effectiveness of interventions targeting ADHD symptoms. This dissertation is composed of two studies that aimed to examine the teacher-level factors salient for improving school-based interventions designed for students with ADHD. The first study used a small scale, in-depth systematic literature review to investigate intervention studies that concurrently measured student outcomes and teacher-level factors to elucidate teacher-level barriers and facilitators of each of the interventions. The second study evaluated the effectiveness of a teacher training designed to improve pre-service teacher knowledge about ADHD and self-efficacy in their ability to support students with ADHD. Recommendations are made for future directions in school-based ADHD intervention research and implications are discussed for educators and school psychological practice.

Chair : Dr. Stephanie Moore

Committee Members : Dr. Eui Kyung Kim & Dr. Austin Johnson

Future Plans : I am excited to continue my work refining the treatment of psychosocial school-based treatments for students with self-regulatory challenges! I have secured a postdoctoral research position with the Healthy Child and Family Development lab in the Clinical Psychology department at San Diego State University. The research project I will contribute to aims to integrate team-based development and collaboration to enhance an established school-based intervention for children with ADHD. I am delighted to join SDSU and UCSD’s collaborative research network, the Center for Team Effectiveness to Accelerate Evidence-Based Practice Implementation in Children’s Mental Health Services, funded by the National Institute of Mental Health.  

Reflection : I joined the School Psychology department at UCR five years ago because it was apparent to me from the very beginning that UCR’s School of Education is a collaborative environment where I could carve a path unique to my interests and career goals. With time, this proved to be very true.  When prospective students ask me about my experience at UCR, the first thing I tell them is that my peers are my people. I tell them that the community of students who belong to SOE is rich with innovative ideas, good advice for getting through graduate school, and a passion for promoting access to quality education in our work. I have so many people to thank for the experiences I’ve gathered at UCR. I’d like to shout out the incredible experiences that SOE and GSA have provided me with by providing me with funds to travel to conferences and seek professional development experiences. I also cannot thank the Academic Preparation, Recruitment and Outreach team enough for supporting my Grad Slam win! I would not have been able to complete my doctoral degree without the support provided by my advisor, Dr. Stephanie Moore, and the encouragement and support provided by my cohort. WE DID IT!

Name : Norbert Negrea

Dissertation Title : ACEs, Education and Space: The Relationship of Adverse Childhood Experiences and Education Across California Counties

Dissertation Abstract : When considering issues of education in the United States of America, the vantage point to understanding inequity in education outcomes changes when the scope of an issue is seen from a systemic perspective compared to individual perspective. Research in public health suggests that childhood adversity is often experienced as a serious threat to a child’s physical or psychological sense of safety and wellbeing. In order to investigate childhood adversity and education over space, theoretical applications and methods focusing on more macro level systemic vantage points were selected for the current study. Addressing the need for more nuanced research on the relationship between ACEs, space and educational outcomes in secondary schools in California, the proposed study contributes by providing a complex data base of expanded ACEs definitions, the creation of an ACE composite variable and then linking them to the educational outcomes of public high school students across California’s 58 counties. The primary techniques utilized in analysis focused on geospatial analysis and linear regression. The constructed ACE composite variable was especially suited to the proposed study given that it was explicitly designed to explore the magnitude of accumulated ACE exposure over a geographic area. Results of the study painted a complex relationship between ACEs, space and education, with particularly interesting findings surrounding the difference between more rural/suburban counties compared to their urban counterparts, including important regional differences between north/central counties and southern counties. Implications on how California can follow suit of other states in the nation to standardize, organize and disseminate statewide ACE data and what kind of policy is feasible within the state to combat the negative population effects of ACE exposure on education outcomes are provided.  

Chair : Dr. Robert Ream  

Committee Members : Dr. Marsha Ing, Dr. Amos Lee  

Future Plans : Continuing to push for education equity in my current position working with LA county foster youth, aiming to gain more leverage in the field of analysis and policy.  

Reflection : I really appreciate UCR as a place where colleagues and great minds come together to push the envelope on social and educational equity. It has been such a pleasure working with great professors and friends to explore my scholarship and sharpen my research skills. I thank my committee, friends and especially my wife, daughter and family for the priceless support through all the difficult hurdles to complete this degree.

Name : Tori Porter

Dissertation Title : “Why couldn't I have a different experience that felt free?”: A Critical Narrative Inquiry on the Impacts of Plantation Politics on the Social and Academic Experiences of Black Transgender Students in Higher Education

Dissertation Abstract : This critical narrative inquiry examined the social and academic experiences of 20 Black transgender students currently or formerly enrolled in 4-year colleges and universities in the United States. Employing AntiBlack transness and plantation politics as my analytical framework, I demonstrate the insidious impact of plantation politics on Black transgender students' social and academic lives, which animate in both the processual and structural interactions within the plantation university. By problematizing the presence of plantation politics in both the processual and structural aspects of higher education, my study contributes to empirical understandings of how power dynamics operate within postsecondary institutions and the specific challenges faced by Black transgender students. The narratives shared by Black transgender students highlight the lack of representation, increased vulnerability, and the burden of educating others within the campus community. Furthermore, my research uncovers various issues, such as isolation, rejection, and marginalization, that lead some Black transgender students to abandon their educational pursuits. Despite examples of exclusion, my study also reveals how Black transgender students demonstrate a deep understanding of the expansiveness of their identities, fostering connections and communities within and beyond institutional spaces. Black transgender students create and sustain communities of care that provide vital support, recognition, and understanding, offering a safe and reliable space to be themselves without explanation. Battling institutional pushback and lacking formal support, these communities thrive; students meet one another's basic needs and facilitate their well-being and success. Black transgender students are actively creating spaces of Black trans futurity and transformation, where they (re)claim their life, (re)gain their agency, and embrace nonconformity. I offer practitioners the urgency in their willingness to resist and challenge the status quo, even in the face of significant obstacles, to support Black transgender students. Supporting these students will require disruptive logic, realigning solidarity, and shifting paradigms to meet Black transgender students where they are.

Chair : Dr. Raquel M. Rall

Committee Members : Dr. Rican Vue, Dr. Michael Moses II, Dr. Dylan Rodriguez

Future plans : Re-establishing my grandfather’s nonprofit organization, The Porter Education Foundation.

Reflection : I am unendingly grateful for the opportunities I’ve had to work in various capacities while at UCR. From having one of the best advisors, Dr. Rall and being part of a tight group of researchers and colleagues, #TeamRall, thank you!

Name : Manasi Rajadhyaksha

Dissertation Title : Examining Social-Emotional Development in Black Children: Role of Intrapersonal and Contextual Factors

Dissertation Abstract : Several socio-ecological factors play a critical role in influencing child development in general and social-emotional development in particular. While various studies have shed light on the influence of intrapersonal and external factors on children's social-emotional skills, fewer have comprehensively examined these factors, particularly within the context of middle childhood and specifically among Black children. Furthermore, only a limited number of studies have specifically investigated these associations within racial groups rather than between them. The current study aimed to fill this gap by investigating how child characteristics, interpersonal discrimination experiences, and family dynamics shape social-emotional development in Black children.  

Using a nationally representative database of fifth-grade students, the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Kindergarten Class of 2010-11 (ECLS-K:2011), the current study partially tested the integrative conceptual model of adaptive racial/ethnic and emotion socialization by Dunbar and colleagues (2017). Weighted hierarchical regression analysis was used to examine four of the five main components included in the model. Results indicated both intrapersonal and contextual factors can influence the social-emotional developmental outcomes of Black children. Specifically, these outcomes are determined by Black children’s emotion regulation levels, their parents’ involvement in school activities, parents’ mental well-being, and the quality of the home environment in which the children live and grow. Findings from the proposed study can provide useful information for educators, mental health professionals, and caregivers related to the multiple complex elements in Black children’s lives that may stimulate or inhibit their social- emotional functioning levels. This information can further guide the development and use of culturally relevant intervention strategies and treatment procedures for this population.  

Chair : Austin Johnson

Committee Members : Eui Kyung Kim, Stephanie Moore  

Reflection : I wish to express my deepest gratitude to the incredible mentors I had the privilege of working with at UC Riverside: Dr. Austin Johnson, Dr. Evelyn Vázquez, and Dr. William Erchul. Your unwavering support, guidance, and motivation have been invaluable to my Ph.D. journey, and I aspire to pay forward the kindness you've shown me throughout my professional career. I am profoundly thankful to my dissertation committee members and the SOE faculty, Drs. Kim and Moore, for their steadfast support and encouragement during these past years. Furthermore, I extend my heartfelt thanks to the incredible support system I am blessed with in life—my family and all my friends—whose unwavering support has been the wind beneath my wings. To my cherished family of the heart, Vikrant and Flash, I have only one thing to say: I am because you are.

Finally, I am grateful to the UC Riverside community for embracing me as one of its own and helping me find a home 8,000 miles away from home.