Has Anyone Ever Had Trouble Getting a Transcript?

[eablackwell]

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Ok, so here's my issue. As a non-trad I've gone to several schools, and most schools have been very easy to get information from (transcripts, etc), but one school that I spent a semester at about 8 years ago has always been a pain.

When I did research on ordering transcripts from my schools before filling out AMCAS (I was hoping to submit June 1st), of course this school is the only one that used a 2ndary processing company where I had to pay, then fax in the request to that company, who then has to send the request to the school.

It kept me up to date on the transcript request very well, and told me when the transcript was sent by the institution.

The transcript never made it to AMCAS. I have requested it 3 times since then (paying each time) and none have made it to AMCAS.

One of the times I even requested one sent to myself at the same time, to test for the mail time. The school is a 3 hour drive from me and it took over a week from the time I got the email "the transcript has been mailed by your institution." It's 1-2 day mail service between this school and myself, so that in itself was a little off.

My main problem is, even after driving to the school and inquiring directly, the school simply insists they have sent it each time and that it's gotten lost in the mail. They then make me pay for a new transcript to be sent (through the round about company, online), and they refuse to let me pay extra for expedited shipping, return receipt, or anything of that sort.

All my other transcripts (3 others from over 10 years of schooling) made it to AMCAS no more than 3-4 days after I requested them.

What in the world can I do? I'm so stressed! Everything else has been ready to go on my end. Even all my LORs (save 1) are in already and waiting for me to submit secondaries, yet I can't even submit for primaries!

I'm starting to think this school will single-handedly keep me from applying to med school.


Sorry for the long rant,..

 

[MiniMoo]

That's really strange especially if you also tried sending it to yourself and got it no problem (albeit it took a little longer). My only idea is that AMCAS is receiving the transcripts but unable to assign it to your application somehow? Do you use the transcript request form provided by AAMC? Or does the school include your AAMC number on a cover sheet with the transcript?

 

[eablackwell]

That's really strange especially if you also tried sending it to yourself and got it no problem (albeit it took a little longer). My only idea is that AMCAS is receiving the transcripts but unable to assign it to your application somehow? Do you use the transcript request form provided by AAMC? Or does the school include your AAMC number on a cover sheet with the transcript?

They refuse to do this. Since it is ordered through the secondary company, they do not get the faxed AAMC form I send with it. I brought it to them at the school and asked if they could please include it. They said no.

I called AMCAS and they assured me that even if I do not send the form in they will match it by my name and social on the transcript. I also know this is the case because UF did not send the form either and there was no problem at all processing their transcript.

AMCAS also says they have received nothing at all from the school in question. 🙁 On one of the times I sent a request I specifically sent it to

"ATTN: Transcripts AAMC #..." That did not even help.

 

[jinx520]

I had a similar situation with getting my transcript from the military through the AARTS service. It is all done online, and the website kept telling me that I didn't exist. Finally I had to call the toll-free number and talk to someone. It turned out that 1) they never processed my name change in their system, and 2) whoever inputted my data into the system made a typo in my SSN. I ended up having to fax them a copy of my DD 214 so that they could correct it.

One of my schools also subcontracts their transcript service to an independent company and I did have a problem with them. I refused to pay again, so I called the company directly and asked them to resend it. I sent a copy of the requesting institution's statement/screen shot that they hadn't received the transcript yet, and they sent it again. It wasn't for a transcript, it was for enrollment verification, though, but I still had to pay.

My advice is to call the transcript company and get their fax number. Fax them a screen shot of your AMCAS app that shows this transcript hasn't been received yet and also receipts from the three times you paid. Ask them nicely to resend at no additional charge since you paid three times and it still didn't get there. Verify that your info, the AMCAS address, and your AMCAS ID number are all correct, though. That might be the problem. But don't deal with the school--deal directly with the transcript company. They are the ones who are sending the transcript. When you talk to the company, they should be able to include your AMCAS cover letter. I didn't have a problem with this same company sending my transcript to AMCAS, it was just the enrollment verification. And they did include the AMCAS cover letter.

Also, ask for a refund from the other two payments you made, while you're at it--won't hurt. It they say no, you're in the same position you are now, but they might just refund you if they have a conscience. Won't hurt to ask.

 

[eablackwell]

Thanks. I will try that. 🙂 As for the address/ID number. The last 2 times I requested it I checked the address while looking at the AMCAS website 5 times, then had someone else check it just in case I had lost my mind.

 

[jinx520]

Thanks. I will try that. 🙂 As for the address/ID number. The last 2 times I requested it I checked the address while looking at the AMCAS website 5 times, then had someone else check it just in case I had lost my mind.

OMG, I did this too. Are all premeds like this? Does it get better or worse once we are finished with training? My cousin was making fun of me and said I had OCD; I said "no, I'm a scientist." But really, is there a difference?

 

[eablackwell]

LoL, I don't know. I hope better, otherwise we won't be of any use to anyone 😉

 

[NTF]

I think you're going to have to move up the food chain. Email the dean, president, whomever. Be polite and sincere and explain your issue and request that an accommodation be made (ie certified mail that you'd pay for). I have a feeling only a order from on high will grease the wheels of bureaucracy. I can empathize with your frustration. I had a similar situation happen when I applied.

 

[EdLongshanks]

I think you're going to have to move up the food chain. Email the dean, president, whomever. Be polite and sincere and explain your issue and request that an accommodation be made (ie certified mail that you'd pay for). I have a feeling only a order from on high will grease the wheels of bureaucracy. I can empathize with your frustration. I had a similar situation happen when I applied.

Right, it's time to make noise. If it was a public college, call you senator and congressman, they have people in the office who deal with the colleges.

If it is a private college, then they may be associated with some other organization. Start with the dean's office. If the dean doesn't get a response for you within 2 days, then go to the newspaper or television news consumer affairs person. This is inexcusable and the college needs to realize that they are about to get themselves some serious bad publicity with a resulting loss of students.

If this doesn't get response within the week, then get a lawyer to give them a call. This will cost you about $150, but it will undoubtedly get a response. Don't tell them that you are going to a lawyer - this will get you put into purgatory until you actually get the lawyer.

Colleges depend on the goodwill of their locality. What you are describing is despicable and unacceptable. No college should be able to keep their accreditation if they won't provide transcripts to their former students.

 

[eablackwell]

Contacting the Dean's office is a good idea. I guess I've just been so flustered that I was kept from submitting on time that I didn't even think about that.

 

[ShinyDome19]

You could also try to get them to send your transcript to something like Interfolio...That way you never have to deal with them again should you need to reapply or get second copies of your transcripts for the school you matriculate at.

 

[eablackwell]

AMCAS received it!!! Yay! 4th time's a charm! 😀