<p>Just got an email from USC saying they'd got all of my materials, but they needed three things. Quoted:</p>
<p>"- Please clarify if the BA degree you received from Cambridge University
in July 2006 is an Honours degree.</p>
<ul>
<li><p>Please provide a copy of your official University of Cambridge
diploma.</p></li>
<li><p>Please provide a copy of a transcript issued by Homerton College
(please note: the College, not the University of Cambridge) which shows
your coursework, marks received, and degree conferred."</p></li>
</ul>
<p>My BA was with Honours. That's just a terminology that was used ages ago. In effect, everyone with a class marked British Patterned Degree attains honours. But nowhere does it explicitly state this (apart from wiki). </p>
<p>I've only got one diploma- if that means my degree certificate- which is in a large oak frame on my wall. Apparently, you can order one but it takes 28 days. </p>
<p>I provided a University transcript and don't know whether it arrived. If it didn't, then I can easily send another, but if it did, I'm not sure what the problem is. All transcripts are printed at the central uni building and do not have a college crest on. I'm not even sure if the transcript says which College someone attended, so it's kinda strange that they know which one I went to. I'm also not sure if the colleges are willing to send them. </p>
<p>Being Xmas and all, I'm not sure if there's a lot I can do. Should I ring them, email back? Any advice would be great!</p>
<p>It's weird that they want a transcript from the college and not the University. What's the point in that? As far as I know Cambridge only offers honours degrees. In my undergraduate uni in Dublin the transcript said I got a BA (hons). I guess if you already have sent them transcipts they must want the big diploma thing. Which is kinda pointless but I also got asked for one when I was applying to a uni in the USA last year.</p>
<p>You reckon they'll want an actual diploma? How about a digital camera image of the real one? I could always take it out of the frame, post it, order another one and put that in its place. Don't think parents would be best pleased though. lol</p>
<p>I would deffo not send your copy in case you can't get another one. Could you not ask them if an authenticated photocopy would be OK? You could get that done at the USA embassy in London. Regarding the Honours thing. You could try just sending them an email telling them you went to Cambridge and they only do Honours degrees. American unis can be anoying at times. It's not like your degree is from an ex-poly. It's Cambridge. What you wana do in the USC? I'm currenlty al LSE.</p>
<p>They want an authorized copy, similar to the way the school issues your transcripts. Write a letter explaining the honours thing, possibly quoting a reliable source. Call your college and ask them if there's anything they can do to about the transcript. If they say no, then call USC, but make the effort to get it done first.</p>
<p>I'll ring tonight. I'm not sure what their arrangements are for Xmas, so it's best to get something said so at least I have a firm idea where I stand on each point. The honours thing will be ok- I think it's just the admin staff doing everything to the book. As for the diploma, it's either photocopy, email or wait 28 days. It's really annoying that they're being so fussy, when all it says on the website is that you should submit a full transcript from your uni.</p>
<p>I'm really not sure what to do about the college transcript. That's what I'll ask tonight.</p>