I'm in the middle of preparing my application to transfer to Pierce College and I'm a bit confused about how to send my transcripts. Do colleges usually require official or unofficial copies for transfer credit evaluation?
For most schools, official transcripts are generally required for the evaluation of transfer credits. This would typically mean that the transcripts need to come directly from your previous institution(s) and are often sent via mail or through an electronic transcript service.
For Pierce College, here are the steps to submit your transcripts:
1. Contact your previous institution(s) and request that they send an official transcript to Pierce College. Some schools offer an online request form while others may require you to call or email the Registrar's Office. Be prepared to provide your student ID or Social Security Number for this step.
2. Ensure that all transcripts are sent directly to Pierce College Admissions Office. They will not accept transcripts handed over by students or those sent via email.
3. After the transcripts have been received and processed, Pierce College will evaluate your transcripts for potential transfer credits. This process could take a few weeks depending on when the transcripts are received.
As a tip, you may want to strategize your course selections based on the transferability of the credits earned. For instance, general education classes typically transfer more consistently than specialized or proprietary courses. Also, you should keep a copy of all your course syllabi. Sometimes, admissions offices need more information about a specific course to determine if it meets their requirements.
I hope this helps! Reach out if there's anything else you're unsure about.
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