The Right Way to Prepare Your Transcripts for Study Abroad Applications

International students who are seeking admission into universities and colleges abroad are required to provide certain documents as part of their application process. One of those required documents is your academic transcript. But the question on the minds of students is: What is the right way to prepare your transcripts for study abroad applications? 

This article looks at what a transcript is and also provides an in-depth guide on how to efficiently submit one. 

What is an Academic Transcript?

An academic transcript is an official document that shows a detailed record of a student’s performance and achievements at an institution. It also includes information such as: 

• courses taken, 
• grades earned for each course, 
• cumulative grade point average (GPA), 
• degree awarded
• honors
• or distinctions received.

Furthermore, they are usually used by institutions, employers, and organizations to assess your academic achievement and eligibility for higher education at a foreign university. They provide a summary of a student’s academic history and also help to evaluate students from various academic backgrounds. 

Note that: 

• Transcripts are issued by the registrar’s office 
• They bear the institution’s seal or official stamp to ensure their authenticity. 
• Some institutions charge a fee for issuing them. 
• Students need to request theirs through their school’s online portal

Types of Academic Transcripts

1. Official Transcripts: 

This type of transcript is sent out by the school, and it carries the school’s official emblem and the signature of the registrar. Additionally, this contains details like exams done, transferred courses, and all achievements. 

2. Unofficial Transcripts:

This type, unlike the official one, does not carry the seal of the school and does not have the signature of the registrar. 

What is the need for an academic transcript?

The admissions board of a university requires a transcript as proof of education to help them understand the academic performance of the students. Without this, the student cannot apply to a university abroad. 

Furthermore, universities may sometimes request that students submit a transcript of their last two qualifications, but this depends on the university you are applying to. Therefore, you must always have a soft copy of your transcript at hand so you can upload it during your application process. 

However, it is mailed directly to the institution of your choice, so you may not have a hard copy of it at hand. 

Note the following before you submit your transcript: 

1. The document must be in English.
2. It must be legible.
3. The information on the transcript must be accurate and free of errors.  
4. The document must be stamped and signed by the registrar of the institution.

Different Names For Academic Transcripts: 

Academic transcripts are known by various names in different countries or institutions. These are: 

• Mark Sheets
• Transcripts of Records
• Report Card
• Diploma Supplement
• Cumulative Record File
• Academic Certificates

How to Get Your Academic Transcripts?

Academic transcripts are given out by the schools where you have attended and completed your education. It also includes your certificates for your undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. 

Once it has been published, you as a student can request and collect yours from the university. You can also send or submit a soft copy of the transcript while applying. Note that some universities abroad may request a hard copy of the document. Therefore, it will be mailed directly to the school abroad by the school you graduated from.

Additionally, students who are still studying can request an interim or provisional academic transcript from their school and send it to the university abroad. But you must eventually send the official document to gain admission.

What details are included in an Academic Transcript?

An academic transcript should include the following information:

1. The student’s full name
2. Name of the educational institution 
3. Address of the institution
4. Either the name of the educational board or the university
5. Names of the courses studied by the student
6. Record of all academic and non-academic achievements
7. The student’s academic statement
8. An evaluation by the faculty
9. Grades or marks of all the subjects

Furthermore, it can also include the following:

1. A student’s cumulative grade throughout the course.
2. The average grade of the class. This will help the admissions board compare the students with others.

What You Must Do Before Submitting Your Academic Transcript  

1. You should check your transcript for mistakes before submission. You should do this because these mistakes and mismatches in information can harm your application. 

2. Never forge your transcripts. You should not do this because universities will carry out a background check on it. Consequently, you will be banned from ever applying again if caught. 

3. Be sure to apply for yours before the application deadline to avoid confusion. 

How Do I send my academic transcripts to universities?

Your official academic transcript should be mailed directly to the university you’re applying to. Note that it must be in a sealed and signed envelope. Meanwhile, translated transcripts will be mailed to the new school from the registrar’s office. 

Contact AfterSchoolAfrica For Your Admission

For international students looking to get a quality education, it can be financially demanding. At AfterSchoolAfrica, we understand that education should be based on the potential for value creation to build an inclusive global economy. 

Furthermore, we can help make this dream a reality by offering scholarships, loans, and work-study programs for financial assistance. Therefore, by exploring these avenues, you can focus on your studies without worrying about financial burdens.

Additionally, through our global education lending partners, we now help and support African students to fund their graduate education in the US, Canada, or the UK. You don’t need collateral or a Cosigner.

Read Also:

How to Write a Winning Statement of Purpose (with samples) 

3 Proven Steps to Write an Excellent MBA Essay

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