withdrawal before classes started--need advice

[nontrad321]

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Hello,

I withdrew from X university before the start of the semester for health reasons, but after making a deposit saying I would attend. I did not register for classes. My transcript from this school has no classes on it, but it says "withdrawn, date". The withdrawn is not associated with any classes, but indicates withdrawal from the school. I did not take any subsequent classes here.
I called AMCAS and explained this to them. They said that I do not need to list this on schools attended, and also that I do not need to send a transcript. I called a second time and got the same answer. I am very paranoid that if I don't send this then something bad will happen. Should I trust AMCAS and not send anything for this school? I understand this is an unusual situation and would appreciate any constructive help.

Thank you

 

[mavric1298]

Yes.

 

[ThinkReallyFast]

Are you sure the college has an official transcript for you?

Schools will not typically create a transcript if you have not attempted coursework, thus you will not need to submit a transcript to AMCAS. There are however rare circumstances where a school will still create a official (and empty) transcript, despite the absence of attempted coursework.

Did you clarify to the AMCAS person you spoke with that the college does have an official transcript on record for you?

I called AMCAS and was told that I must submit a transcript for each US institution that has an official transcript for me unless it qualifies for an exception, even if I never attempted coursework at the institution. While the criteria (Page 22) does not apply when there is no attempted coursework, it does not confer a transcript exception when one does have an official transcript (Page 25).

Transcript Exception Request

If you indicate that a transcript is not required, you must request a transcript exception. You can only request a transcript exception from the Transcript Exception Request screen. Once you submit your application, you will no longer be able to access this screen. If you need to request a transcript exception after you have submitted your application, please call or email AMCAS (202-828-0600 or [email protected].

You must select one of the provided options as your transcript exception reason. These are the only available reasons for a transcript exception:

• Canadian CEGEP/Grade 13 Program
• Current or future coursework
• Consortium/cross-registration program, if no separate transcript is available from the school where coursework was attempted. Only one transcript is required for schools which you attended multiple times, as long all coursework appears on the same official transcript.
• Foreign college – study abroad program sponsored by a U.S., U.S. territorial or Canadian college.
• Foreign college – independent attendance, credits transferred to a U.S. or Canadian institution.
• Foreign college – independent attendance, no credits transferred to a U.S. or Canadian institution.

How do I know if AMCAS requires an Official Transcript?One (1) official transcript is required from each U.S., U.S. Territorial, or Canadian post- secondary institution at which you have attempted coursework, regardless of whether credit was earned. This includes but is not limited to:

• College-level courses attempted while in high school, even if they did not count toward a degree at any college.
• Colleges at which you originally attempted a course, even if the credit was subsequently transferred to and accepted by another school.
• Colleges where you registered but did not earn any credit (e.g., incompletes, withdrawals, failures, audits, etc.).

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

You want to send an extra transcript, go ahead. Jeez, this a scary level of nueroticism after being told twice by AMCAS that you'll be fine.

 

[nontrad321]

Are you sure the college has an official transcript for you?

Schools will not typically create a transcript if you have not attempted coursework, thus you will not need to submit a transcript to AMCAS. There are however rare circumstances where a school will still create a official (and empty) transcript, despite the absence of attempted coursework.

Did you clarify to the AMCAS person you spoke with that the college does have an official transcript on record for you?

I called AMCAS and was told that I must submit a transcript for each US institution that has an official transcript for me unless it qualifies for an exception, even if I never attempted coursework at the institution. While the criteria (Page 22) does not apply when there is no attempted coursework, it does not confer a transcript exception when one does have an official transcript (Page 25).

I do not remember if I told them it was a official. I told them I have a transcript that has a withdrawal that is not associated with coursework, and that I withdrew before registering for coursework. I asked them how to include this in my application (because I assumed I would have to include it), and after speaking to her supervisor the representative told me that I do not need to include that in the schools attended section, and that I do not nee to send the transcript. I wrote down the name of representative and the date I called in case this was called into question later. I got this answer twice. I submitted my application already. I am having cold feet that this was the wrong thing to do. I am confused about why I was not given the same information you listed above in blue. I guess my options are to send a letter to the schools with this information, or to withdraw and wait a year to apply. I don't want to have an acceptance rescinded. What is your opinion?

 

[ThinkReallyFast]

I do not remember if I told them it was a official. I told them I have a transcript that has a withdrawal that is not associated with coursework, and that I withdrew before registering for coursework. I asked them how to include this in my application (because I assumed I would have to include it), and after speaking to her supervisor the representative told me that I do not need to include that in the schools attended section, and that I do not nee to send the transcript. I wrote down the name of representative and the date I called in case this was called into question later. I got this answer twice. I submitted my application already. I am having cold feet that this was the wrong thing to do. I am confused about why I was not given the same information you listed above in blue. I guess my options are to send a letter to the schools with this information, or to withdraw and wait a year to apply. I don't want to have an acceptance rescinded. What is your opinion?

AMCAS will answer the question you are asking. Which of us asked the question and with all the relevent information to get the correct answer? I do not know.

If your transcript includes a Jane/John Doe "withdrew from X semester during XXX year" -- that definitely includes more information than mine. It also definitely seems (to me) like pertinent academic history information that an admissions committee would like to know. My transcript was generated because transfer units were recieved during the admissions processes, it does not have quarter/semester attendance or a withdrawal noted as there was none.

My personal opinion/suggestion would be to let the schools know there was confusion in whether you should include the transcript (use those awesome science language skills that avoid blaming anyone and make it sounds matter of fact). I would then let the schools know the contents of the transcript and offer to forward them a copy of the transcript. If the reason for the withdrawal is mundane and related to health, I cannot imagine them holding it against you. However, if they were to see the transcript on Student Clearing House, the omission of a transcript that clearly denotes a withdrawal may appear intentional and deceptive. I would rather let the schools know the transcript exists and ask me why, than have them find out their own and consider for a moment that I might have been dishonest.

 

[nontrad321]

Thank you for your advice. I agree with you and I have decided I will write to inform them, or ask my adviser to discuss it in his letter. This was for health reasons. I definitely do not want to seem like I am trying to hide anything, and prefer to be up-front with everything. Do you think it would be better to just withdraw my app and start fresh with this (possible) error changed next year? I would not prefer to wait because I don't want my MCAT score to expire (I took it within the past year, and I know some schools may not accept the old MCAT next year), but if necessary I will. I am a non-trad (several years out of college) and have several years preparing for this since college, so I don't want to throw all that work away.

 

[ThinkReallyFast]

Do you think it would be better to just withdraw my app and start fresh with this (possible) error changed next year?

The only person who can answer this question is you.

I do not know how this will impact your application. It may not even impact it all, maybe I recieved the incorrect information from AMCAS. I would at the very minimum call AMCAS tomorrow morning. Be detailed in describing what is on your transcript. See what their thoughts are after letting them know your concerns. If they become concerned, without blaming them or getting angry, highlight that you spoke with XYZ on XYZ day and believe that there may have been some misunderstandings in the advice you got. Maybe they'll stick to the answer you have already gotten -- if they do, see if they can put an official note in your record that they told you it is fine? Call your top school choices and see if it would impact your application?