Application, transcripts, and GRE scores

[Armymutt25A]

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How does the system work these days with ensuring your transcripts and GRE scores get to VMCAS and are applied to the correct application? The last time I applied, everything went into a big envelope (application, transcripts, LORs, and GRE score, oh yeah, and the check) and got sent to VMCAS. Seems that separating everything leaves a massive margin of error.

 

[BlacKAT33]

No big envelope these days. You tell your undergrad school you need transcripts sent to each school, you write in each school for where you need your GRE scores sent. The only thing that i can think of that goes to vmcas is what it asks for on the site, its all online. eLORs are electronic and you can't do anything for those except remind your mentors to send them in.

How do you check that the schools received them? If you're lucky enough that your school has a website for the app process it will have a section that says "received __". Most schools don't have this though and you will have to call them individually to see if they received it. Lots of fun! Make sure you're really nice because some secretaries are cranky from getting calls all the time. The trend I found was that the midwest schools tell you they will contact you if there are any problems later. The eastcoast schools tend to look up your file on the spot.

 

[lei325]

The nice part about the new system is that it's mostly electronic, so it's a great way to save on paper. The only problem I had with everything was getting the people writing my eLORs to sign up and actually write the letter (came through in the end, though). I got my transcripts sent through the website my college has set up for undergrads and alumni; I basically ordered my transcripts and had them sent straight to the schools. And I recommend doing what BlackKAT did: if there isn't a website to check to see if the school has received it, call them. It's definitely worth putting your mind at ease. Also, apply early. Tufts had a problem because their electronic app system closed before it was supposed to and I experienced a major panic attack as a result. I'm very grateful that I never have to go through THAT again...

 

[crittergal]

I had all my transcripts from 5 schools sent to me. I then turned around and mailed the transcripts directly to the schools in one delivery confirmation envelope per school so that I was certain they'd received it. Even then, I emailed each school to confirm their receipt. I'm not a fan of calling places. Email gives me written documentation should I ever need it.

 

[Armymutt25A]

Ok, thanks. I suppose I can hand deliver them since Raleigh is an hour away and we're up there all the time anyway.

 

[katryn]

I'd also recommend checking with the schools beforehand on their policies. Some schools will send you a notice (email or letter) a week or two before the deadlines and let you know if something has not been received, other schools just send you a nice note after the deadline telling you they tossed your app for missing materials. It lets you know who you need to check on and who will send you a notice.

 

[that redhead]

To be honest, the only sure-fire way to ensure your stuff is received by the appropriate schools is to call and ask if they've received X, Y and Z.

 

[Tiktaalik]

Ok, thanks. I suppose I can hand deliver them since Raleigh is an hour away and we're up there all the time anyway.

Be careful - many schools (vet and otherwise) don't accept hand-delivered transcripts as official transcripts. I think the best plan is just to have your schools send them for you (early on!) and then call the schools you're applying to to follow up.

 

[BlacKAT33]

I think the best plan is just to have your schools send them for you (early on!) and then call the schools you're applying to to follow up.

👍 there really is no reason why you can't request your transcripts early during july/aug. that's what i did so i had plenty of time to see if they arrived. they are also less busy at this time so you won't feel like you are bothering them. I took my GREs in june so i also sent my scores out really early. I waited for enough time for both the transcripts and GREs to be received so then I made one call for both of them.

 

[cowgirla]

I had all my transcripts from 5 schools sent to me. I then turned around and mailed the transcripts directly to the schools in one delivery confirmation envelope per school so that I was certain they'd received it. Even then, I emailed each school to confirm their receipt. I'm not a fan of calling places. Email gives me written documentation should I ever need it.

I did the same thing.

And as a total aside, I was in the post office today mailing a mothers day gift, and the lady in there remembers me as "the vet girl with all the important application envelopes" She was so happy when I told her that all that postage money actually paid off!

 

[twelvetigers]

I only have classes at one university, so I will probably just have them sent out through OSU and not send them myself. I definitely will do that early, say August or so? I'm also planning to take the GRE in about a month and a half, so that will go out early too. Whee!

 

[BlacKAT33]

I did the same thing.

And as a total aside, I was in the post office today mailing a mothers day gift, and the lady in there remembers me as "the vet girl with all the important application envelopes" She was so happy when I told her that all that postage money actually paid off!

i havent been back to the UPS place where i mailed my deposit letter. I wonder if he remembers me. I spent like 7$ or something ridiculous to get a return slip on a little white envelope that had my deposit check lol its so annoying, i could never make it on time to USPS!!

 

[gone2dogs]

I had all my transcripts from 5 schools sent to me. I then turned around and mailed the transcripts directly to the schools in one delivery confirmation envelope per school so that I was certain they'd received it. Even then, I emailed each school to confirm their receipt. I'm not a fan of calling places. Email gives me written documentation should I ever need it.

Sorry to bring up an old thread...

But has anybody run into a problem doing it this way? I have 11 transcripts to send to as many as 9 schools (still trying to decide what to do here), so I am thinking that schools might actually appreciate getting them all together. Plus, the thought of typing in all the schools into 11 different request forms makes me feel like diving off the deep end almost as much as entering all those into VMCAS does (for the third time)!

I tried calling 3 schools today (with other questions, but I was also going to throw this one in as well) and got all of zero people to answer the phone, so I am losing faith that it is even possible to talk to anyone, anywhere! So I know the best answer is to call the schools and ask, but since I'm not making headway in that direction, I'd love either some more reassurance that sending them together myself will be ok or reasons to suck it up and start typing!

 

[GellaBella]

I don't know where you are applying but I applied to (let's see if I can remember...) Penn, Tufts, UC-Davis, CSU, NCSU, UFl, and Cornell and I know at least a few of them if not more stated that transcripts must come directly from the school itself.

So to be honest, I think you better start typing everything out and faxing over requests for transcripts. If something goes missing you can deal with that in another month or so.

 

[goldielocks137]

I would try calling again or emailing to find out if you can send them yourself. Some schools (K-state comes to mind) I think prefer to get all supplemental documents together. Also I agree with you that it would be easier on them to get all your transcripts at once in one folder instead of having all those transcripts coming in one at a time.

 

[hunterjumper12]

I don't know where you are applying but I applied to (let's see if I can remember...) Penn, Tufts, UC-Davis, CSU, NCSU, UFl, and Cornell and I know at least a few of them if not more stated that transcripts must come directly from the school itself.

So to be honest, I think you better start typing everything out and faxing over requests for transcripts. If something goes missing you can deal with that in another month or so.

I emailed NCSU a week ago about sending all of my transcripts in one envelope together. I was told that as long as all of the transcripts were still sealed that it would be okay if I sent them all in one envelope. The "still sealed" part was greatly stressed 🙂