Handling Transcripts When Transferring from Pasadena City College

I'm confused about how transcripts work when transferring from Pasadena City College to another institution. Do I need to submit them myself, or does the school do it for me? How early should I request them?

Transcripts typically need to be requested by you, the student, from your current institution—that would be Pasadena City College in your case. Universities generally require an official transcript, which may need to be sent directly from Pasadena City College to ensure its authenticity. The process usually involves going to the registration or registrar's office (either physically or virtually, depending on the setup at Pasadena City College) and filling out a transcript request. There might be a small fee associated with this, so be prepared to cover that.

In terms of timing, it's always a good idea to stay ahead. Processing times can vary, but usually, it can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks to process a transcript request, so you'll want to factor that into your timeline. However, keep in mind the admissions deadlines of the institution you are planning to transfer to. In most cases, you should aim to request the transcripts at least a month before the application deadline to ensure they arrive on time and to give yourself some cushion if there are any unexpected delays.

Remember to cross-check with both your current college and the prospective institution for specific procedures and timelines regarding transcript submission. Each college can have different practices, so it’s best to have the most accurate information. For example, some colleges have started using electronic transcripts, which can significantly speed up the process.