Lost in transcription
Just got off the phone with admissions/academic affairs.
I had been able to find a copy of my transcript in my posession, which they say they might sign off on provisionally pending the arrival of my actual transcript. They still want the transcript as soon as possible, though.
On that end, there are agents working tirelessly to ensure the prompt dispatch of that damned sheet of paper.
The operative word here, gentle readers, is sheet. British universities are not at all like American universities--consequently, their transcripts are not at all like American transcripts. The law school wants an American-style transcript with classes by semester, grades, credit hours, and all the rest of it. Cambridge gives one sheet giving name, college, matriculation date, Tripos results, papers taken, and degree date.
That's it.
All the rest of the translation has to be done by other services--one of which I was already obliged to use during my application process.
I faxed the transcript to the law school's admission office, and they asked where the transcript was. I was at pains to explain to them that what I faxed them was in fact a transcript--at least as far as the term was understood in Cambridge. Then they said that whatever it was, it would do until an official transcript could be received.
Wait, I said. What happens if after all my scrambling--and there's been a lot of scrambling (some of it by innocent third parties and at least one friend acting as a hawaladar)--the packet that arrives from England is no different from what I've shown you?
Response?
"Oh. Um..."
I've got to go in and see the Dean for academic affairs tomorrow at half-past eleven to explain myself. With any luck, I can report my official transcript already in transit. The copy I have--signed and sealed (embossed) with the University Arms--should hopefully permit the Dean to let me register and enroll pending the arrival of more formal documents.
"Well, we've certainly worked through this!" the admissions counselor said to me, half-pleased and half-relieved.
"We won't have worked through this until I can get you that packet," I frowned over the phone.
The entire process is making me sick. Why does this have to happen to me now?
I had been able to find a copy of my transcript in my posession, which they say they might sign off on provisionally pending the arrival of my actual transcript. They still want the transcript as soon as possible, though.
On that end, there are agents working tirelessly to ensure the prompt dispatch of that damned sheet of paper.
The operative word here, gentle readers, is sheet. British universities are not at all like American universities--consequently, their transcripts are not at all like American transcripts. The law school wants an American-style transcript with classes by semester, grades, credit hours, and all the rest of it. Cambridge gives one sheet giving name, college, matriculation date, Tripos results, papers taken, and degree date.
That's it.
All the rest of the translation has to be done by other services--one of which I was already obliged to use during my application process.
I faxed the transcript to the law school's admission office, and they asked where the transcript was. I was at pains to explain to them that what I faxed them was in fact a transcript--at least as far as the term was understood in Cambridge. Then they said that whatever it was, it would do until an official transcript could be received.
Wait, I said. What happens if after all my scrambling--and there's been a lot of scrambling (some of it by innocent third parties and at least one friend acting as a hawaladar)--the packet that arrives from England is no different from what I've shown you?
Response?
"Oh. Um..."
I've got to go in and see the Dean for academic affairs tomorrow at half-past eleven to explain myself. With any luck, I can report my official transcript already in transit. The copy I have--signed and sealed (embossed) with the University Arms--should hopefully permit the Dean to let me register and enroll pending the arrival of more formal documents.
"Well, we've certainly worked through this!" the admissions counselor said to me, half-pleased and half-relieved.
"We won't have worked through this until I can get you that packet," I frowned over the phone.
The entire process is making me sick. Why does this have to happen to me now?