Transfer Transcripts
When you first applied to college, you probably learned how to send transcripts to colleges from the high school from which you planned to graduate. When it comes to transferring from one college to another, transcripts still play a major role. Since transcripts are a record of the postsecondary work students have already accomplished, transfer students usually need to request that an official transcript be sent directly from a prior college to the college to which they are applying. Keep reading to learn how to send college transcripts to other colleges.
How to Send Transcripts to Other Colleges
Step 1: Gather important information
Before requesting a transcript, students should gather information about where they want the transcript sent. One of the most important things to take note of is the address where the transcript should be mailed. Students should determine whether the university they're applying to requires applicants to fill out a specific transcript request form to give to prior colleges. It is also important to request a transcript from every college a student has attended, whether or not the school actually awarded credit.
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Typical Information found in college transcripts
Your transcript contains all of your administrative and academic information from the time you spent at the institution. Every transcript you receive should include the following items:
- Student name and Identification number
- Type of Record (undergraduate, graduate, or professional) and Program of Study
- Student Status (Completed or Incomplete)
- List of Record by Semester & Year (Course Number & Title, Available Credits, Grade Earned)
Step 2: Request transcripts through the Office of the Registrar or the Office of Records
Typically, students need to contact the registrar at their prior colleges to determine what is needed as part of the process for requesting an official transcript. Students must usually supply several important elements before a transcript request can be processed. In most cases, students need to have an address for the transcript to be mailed to, pay a fee, and sometimes fill out a special request form. Students may be able to request a transcript online or in person, depending on the institution.
Step 3: Confirm that transcripts have been received.
It is always important to make sure that paperwork is processed to prevent mix-ups down the line, and transcripts are no exception. When transferring colleges, students may want to wait a few days or weeks to confirm their transcript requests have been processed. Some colleges may even give students a time frame for when to expect their transcript be sent. To confirm a transcript has been sent, a student may be able to see the status in the online portal of the school the student requested it from, or the institution may email a confirmation. Alternately, to confirm it has been received, it may be beneficial to check with the office the student requested it be sent to, such as the Office of Admissions or Undergraduate Admissions. Sometimes, the online portal of the destination school may send a message once a transcript has been received.
Other Ways to Send College Transcripts for Transfer
Students at some colleges may also opt to have college transcripts sent electronically. In fact, in some cases, an electronic transcript is required, such as when transferring from a Washington state community college to the University of Washington. To send an official electronic transcript, students should first ensure that a prior college generates electronic transcripts and that the destination college accepts them. Then, they may need to make note of the correct email address for electronic transcripts, if they are accepted via email. Many universities that allow students to request electronic transcripts do so through third party websites like National Student Clearinghouse, which allows transcripts to be available immediately.
FAQs for How to Send Transcripts to Colleges
- How does the college transcript process differ from the high school transcript process?
In many ways these two processes are similar. When in high school, applying to college, you must send an official copy of your transcript, in the same manner as when in college wanting to transfer to another school. The difference between high school and college transcript requests is that often for high school you can request it in person at the school or over the phone. When requesting transcripts from colleges, because they are much bigger institutions, you will need to use a third party site like the National Clearinghouse Transcript Services in order to obtain your transcript. This can make things easier as everything is completed online.
- Whom should I contact when requesting a transcript from prior colleges?
It is always a good idea to check both your prior and current colleges' websites in order to obtain all the information you will need to request and send transcripts. Your prior college's Office of the Registrar website will provide the options for how you would like to receive your official transcript, and often provide a direct link to the site where you can request it. Similarly, make sure to check the Office of the Registrar website for the school you are sending your transcript to in order to find the correct place and person to address the transcript to. If you run into any problems, you can always email or call this Office directly.
- How long does the college transcript process usually take?
Always give yourself extra time when requesting your college transcript. The whole process generally takes around seven business days, but there are peak times of year for requests that can make the process longer. Also, if you attended the college more than ten years prior, allow extra time for your request to be processed.
- Is there a fee for requesting transcripts?
The answer to this is almost always yes, although the fees are minimal. Sometimes you can request a transcript directly from the college's Registrar, but that is less common these days, and you will need to use a third party site. If you elect to mail your transcript to the desired recipient, it is possible you won't be charged a fee, but if you want to deliver your transcript electronically, be prepared to pay a fee. For sites like the National Clearinghouse Transcript Services, the fees range from $3.00 - $10.00.
- Should I send an electronic or paper copy of my official transcript?
Either will work and should be accepted by the school, however, electronic is going to be received much faster. If you have time and do not want to pay a fee, sending a paper copy of your transcript is acceptable. If you are short on time, an electronic version will be much better. When sending an electronic version, double check the recipient school's website for the correct email address. Transcripts must be opened by the correct people and confirmed to be authentic in order to considered official and applied to your record. If you have any questions about which type of transcript your school would prefer or the correct person to address it to, email or call your Office of the Registrar to clarify.
