Do you know some jobs require you to get an academic transcript? Do you also know that if you want to study abroad, you will be required to tender your transcript? Oops, you don’t even know what a transcript is. Keep reading, and you will get all the information you need here.
The current state of our country has made everyone decide to follow the japa trend, most people want to study abroad, but they do not know some of the important things needed to make the process smooth.
This article is here to inform you of one of the most important things needed for those who want to study abroad. Your academic transcript is one of the most important requirements needed to pursue that dream.
You will be exposed to the importance of an academic transcript, when you need it and why you should get it. Happy reading!
What is an Academic Transcript?
The availability of so many documents might make it difficult to identify what an academic transcript is. A transcript is a document that contains all the academic history of a student’s life, it is also known as a Transcript of Record(ToR), and there is no limit to the information that is contained in a transcript.
A transcript is a testimony of your studentship in the institution. It contains the list of all courses taken by a student, grades scored in each course, the classes would be arranged in chronological order, and the duration spent learning the courses would be specified.
Transcripts are needed for job or internship applications in some organizations. It is also needed for higher studies abroad. The importance of an academic transcript cannot be over-emphasized as it helps to ascertain the credibility of the student’s degree.
Your most recent transcript is needed depending on what you are applying for. For instance, if you are applying for your graduate degree, you need your undergraduate academic transcript and if you are applying for your undergraduate degree, you need your secondary school transcript.
Try not to mistake your academic degree for your academic transcript. Your degree is a document showing the successful completion of your undergraduate degree. The two documents are important and they should not be mixed up. Take note.
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Types of Academic Transcripts
There are two types of transcript which are official and unofficial transcript. An official transcript is contained in the institution’s seal, and the registrar of the institution duly signed and stamped it, while an unofficial transcript does not have the registrar’s signature, nor does it have the university’s seal.
Official transcripts are mostly required if an institution has offered the student admission, and the transcript is no longer considered official if the seal or the envelope is broken. The digital copy of the transcript can also count as official if it is sent directly to the institution’s mail.
A transcript is considered unofficial if the student has opened it and if it is available on the student’s school portal. It is also unofficial if the original seal of the institution has been broken.
How to Write a Letter Requesting Academic Transcripts
Getting an academic transcript does not always seem as easy as it sounds or looks. The case of getting a transcript requires “the patient dog eating the fattest bone” proverb kind of, patience.
Different institutions have their peculiar process through which a transcript can be issued. If your institution requires you to write a letter for you to have access to the document and you are confused, worry no more because you found the right spot.
A former student of a school writes requesting for a transcript from the institution for a job application or further studies in another higher institution. An academic transcript should be carefully crafted and written in professional language.
While writing a transcript letter, include that you were a student of the institution, including the date of entry and graduation date for evidence. The letter should be written in standard formal letter format, and the courses taken should be stated.
Other important information is:
- Your letter should be concise
- State your reason for requesting the transcript.
- State the institution or organization requesting the transcript
- State how urgent you need the transcript
- State the mailing address where the transcript should be sent to
SEE: Letter of Permission To Be Absent from Work
How to Send Transcripts to a University
Sending your transcripts to a university might be confusing, but you should know that the mode of sending transcripts varies between universities.
Your school would send your transcript directly to the admission office of the institution you are applying to, through mail or secure electronically delivering services such as MyCreds, and Parchment, amongst others. Before that, contact the school’s admission office for the address you will send it and the process required to send your transcript.
What is the Meaning of WES?
While preparing to travel abroad to study, your educational qualifications should be evaluated so that the institution or organization you are applying to can understand the value of your result.
World Educational Services(WES) is an evaluation mechanism that converts the educational credentials from schools in the world and equates it to the standards of the U.S. It is one of the oldest evaluation services in the U.S.
Your credentials should also be evaluated so that you can choose the appropriate university or organization where your qualification will pave the way. WES is widely known among universities, organizations, licensing boards, etc.
How to Send Transcripts to WES Online
The advent of digital technology has made it easy for people to send their academic transcripts to World Educational Services online.
Before asking your institution to send your transcript to WES, you must register on the WES website to get your reference number and be sure to ask your institution or organization if they have an electronic submission option.
It is pertinent to note that WES does not accept documents sent directly by students. Your institution is required to send your transcript to WES for you.
There are different ways to submit your transcript. You can do that by sending it online direct and submitting it via email. Although, WES seldom accepts documents attached in email because of security purposes. You will receive an email if WES has received your transcript.
You can send your transcripts to WES via email at contactca@wes.org.
The evaluation process takes at least seven days. Immediately your institution sends your transcript to WES. It starts the whole process immediately. The whole WES process costs at least 220 dollars, excluding the delivery fee.
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Frequently Asked Questions
You can request for your transcript by writing a letter to the registrar’s office or by going physically to your institution to ask for the process required to get your transcript.
You can view your transcript request status on your school’s website. You might be given a transcript number upon acceptance of your transcript, which you will use to track your transcript status on your portal.
Yes, Nigerian Secondary Schools give transcripts to students who want to study abroad or for other important purposes.
Yes, you can make multiple transcript requests once if you send them to different locations and institutions.
Yes, An email would be sent to you just when it leaves and when it gets to the place you want to send your transcript.
Yes, you can apply for your transcript using your marital name. Although, you have to tender a document showing you changed your name. If you have correctly documented your change of name, do not use your marital name.
You will have to send a message to the institution telling them of your predicament. Or better still, someone can help you with his or her bank account, and you will use it to pay for your transcript.
Getting your transcript is as important as getting your visa. One of the key pillars in securing your admission to any school abroad is your academic transcript. It guarantees you a spot in the Institution that you have applied to.
If you are looking at traveling abroad for further studies or for a job and it requires you to get a transcript, kindly write your letter requesting your transcript as soon as possible so that you will be fully ready by the time, your visa is ready.
