Anyone who has vast knowledge of the National Student Clearinghouse, HELP!

Transfer Students
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<p>First, I am not a moral person. I have had a somewhat tough life thus far which has all been self created and inflicted. That aside, after arrests, losing two full scholarships to major universities, and being down and out to the point of suicide, I have picked myself up and decided to go back to school after three years of working up the courage (yay me?). I don't feel good about anything I've done, but it is time to start clean, and start fresh, I just need it, thats where the problems come in.</p>

<p>Alright, so all morality issues aside (I am perfectly aware that there are some), exactly how does the National Student Clearinghouse work? Let me give an example: I have attended two schools, Univ A and Univ B, respectively. Univ A, I had 2 w's but left with 9 hours completed in a semester, and a 4.0, I had a full scholarship and obviously it is gone now. I left after a death in my family that crushed me, and could not return to the school. I then received a full scholarship to another school, this one in state of where I was living. Well, I got into some trouble, somewhat serious but managed to put it behind me ( I am just now off of probation). During my tenure there my first semester consisted of 5 WF's, second semester consisted of 5 WF's as well (Withdraw-Fail, incase someone doesn't know). The first semester, My brother died in a car accident towards the end of my classes, and I withdrew from classes, bad luck I know. The second semester I was arrested, missed classes, and faced expulsion or to withdraw fail, I chose the latter. </p>

<p>Now I am going to enroll in community college and take things slow. The school I plan on transferring to later, uses the National Student Clearinghouse, as do most schools in the country by now. I know for a fact that they factor all college courses taken into a gpa for transfer to them. Obviously facing 10 failing grades. I would have to essentially have a 4.0 through my first two years back, to be able to transfer to this school. Alright, so here comes my real questions.</p>

<p>I plan on getting a FERPA Block on Univ B because look guys, if I had gotten maybe a 1.5 over that many hours, I would admit it, tell them I was facing adversity, and work through it, but as things are, I just cannot afford to tell anyone about this debacle. From my understanding, the FERPA Block will take information of my attendance of Univ B OFF of the actual clearinghouse directory, but if the school believes something may be afoot, they will have to REQUEST more extensive information be given, and on top of that, MUST know the school in question of further examination, and not only my name. I hope I explained that correctly. If an expert could correct me I would be forever grateful.</p>

<p>When the school I am wanting to transfer to is going through my application, do they bring up a database and essentially check that the schools I listed on my application match those on the information database found on the clearinghouse? Don't they have to know the exact school that they believe you may have attended? If so, wouldn't there be no way to find out about Univ B unless they were tipped off (yes, I DO realize that school officials may obtain the information if they REQUEST it.)</p>

<p>Also, the arrest came in the jurisdiction of the campus police of Univ B, the one I am trying to hide. Would the community college or University I will eventually transfer to be able to see this? </p>

<p>I know this is a somewhat complicated and LONG post. But it is my first. If someone has anything constructive to say (criticism or help, either.) I will truly be grateful. Thank you guys alot.</p>

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<p>in before all the wank starts.</p>

<p>~can’t help it~</p>

<p>in all seriousness, i feel like this would fail because you have to declare on some applications if you were ever arrested and on what grounds, etc. thus, they would find out about University B because you were arrested on campus/by campus police.</p>

<p>what were you arrested for?</p>

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<p>I’d really rather not say, just to not expose too much. It was a felony, it was stupid, a bad decision, and a bad judgement which I have paid for. Nothing violent though, no weaopons, assault, rape etc… I was thinking the same thing about being able to check backgrounds but honestly I have never put anything about a background check on a college application and I am on deferred adjudication, and will get my case sealed 5 years from now. Technically I have not been convicted of anything yet.</p>

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<p>By the way, just noticed I double posted. Mod please delete the other thread, sorry. Thanks.</p>

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<p>some googling and poking around came up with this powerpoint:</p>

<p>[Parents</a> Page FERPA Power Point](<a href=“http://www.docstoc.com/docs/426304/Parents-Page-FERPA-Power-Point]Parents”>http://www.docstoc.com/docs/426304/Parents-Page-FERPA-Power-Point)</p>

<p>basically, it says that even with a FERPA block, any school that you attempt to transfer to will be able to still see the dates of attendance of University B. </p>

<p>page 7-8</p>

<p><a href=“Redirect Notice”>Redirect Notice;

<p>also, from ed.gov:</p>

<p>**Disclosure of Education Record</p>

<p>A school MAY disclose education records without consent when:</p>

<pre><code>* The disclosure is to school officials who have been determined to have legitimate educational interests as set forth in the institution’s annual notification of rights to students;

  • The student is seeking or intending to enroll in another school;**
  • The disclosure is to state or local educational authorities auditing or enforcing Federal or State supported education programs or enforcing Federal laws which relate to those programs;
  • The disclosure is to the parents of a student who is a dependent for income tax purposes;
  • The disclosure is in connection with determining eligibility, amounts, and terms for financial aid or enforcing the terms and conditions of financial aid;
  • The disclosure is pursuant to a lawfully issued court order or subpoena; or
  • The information disclosed has been appropriately designated as directory information by the school.
    </code></pre>
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<p>The last part, I completely understand that. What I am emphasizing is that says “MAY” in capital letters. What that partly infers is that the institution MAY disclose the records, IF the officials ask about it ONLY. I went to the clearinghouse website today, and went through the actual process of trying to find my own record by making a “student follow request”, this is what colleges use to put a request on a student, the fact was, on that site, you NEEDED to know the college in question first, then the name of the student. So for instance, they could not just go in, enter my name, and have University B pop up. See what I am saying. I have understanding of the rules of disclosure, and not needing consent, I am fine and understand that completely. I just need to know how the process ACTUALLY works, not just in theory. When the school puts in a request for me, I am almost positive B wont show up UNLESS they specifically ask for information on it, in that case, it will be granted, but they would either have to be tipped off, or think something is up. That being said, I really appreciate your help so far! :)</p>

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<p>I’m assuming, during a general inquiry where the school is not looking for specific fraud, that your record would come up as, name, addresses, schools attended (except for those on block) along with other info. Then if they assumed something was up, you are busted if they know what the exact school you may be hiding is. I called the clearinghouse today and although they couldnt tell me this directly, I really felt like the girl on the phone wanted to tell me that I was right about this. I know there has been so much debate on it. I honestly just want to clear it up so everyone can stop guessing how schools actually handle the inquiry regarding the clearinghouse.</p>

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<p>[FERPA:</a> Directory Information](<a href=“http://www.registrar.clemson.edu/FERPA/directoryInfo.htm]FERPA:”>http://www.registrar.clemson.edu/FERPA/directoryInfo.htm)</p>

<p>“FERPA permits institutions to specifically define some education record information as “directory information” not confidential under FERPA. This is information that is generally not considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if disclosed.”</p>

<p>dates of attendance is on the list.</p>

<p>it just seems like a lot to risk. you’ll have to hide University B for the duration of your entire college career, and if you ever intend on applying to a Master’s or PhD program, you’ll have to worry all over again.</p>

<p>plus, the search that YOU have access to may not be the same search engine as a university has access to.</p>

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<p>Miss,</p>

<p>Thanks for that, but in this instance, at Univ B, the Ferpa block is full confidentiality block including “directory information”. So in other words, literally all information would be blocked UNLESS asked for. The last point is the basis of my question and a good point by you. I really need an expert here to tell me the precise process. If the search is the same, and I am correct about my inferences, then indeed it would be tough to be caught seeing as there would be no trail for Univ B (save for the arrest, which will be expunged soon). It is just tough to make this decision whether to completely diminish my GPA, or try to start new but with worrying about things. Seems like a lose, lose. Anyway, if you can think of any other points let me know.</p>

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<p>I am not going to answer your question but just thought I’d add something you aren’t considering. </p>

<p>Why not just expose everything? Expose your life. This is what personal statements are for. Yeah, your GPA will not be incredible, but you are a special candidate, especially if you do really well during community college. They may remove your grades in the past because it has been a while or they may let you retake the classes because of your unique situation. </p>

<p>Sounds like you just had a rough few years and now are trying to get back on your feet.</p>

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<p>Cali,</p>

<p>That is essentially what I want to do. It will just be extremely tough mathematically to even have the GPA to transfer. That is the real dilemma. If I at all had a salvageable GPA, I would honestly put everything out in the open. But honestly, it scares the hell out of me not being able to have a good enough GPA after 2 years to transfer. Its not that I can’t make straight A’s, but more that it will be very tough considering I will be working as well to pay for school this time around. Times are tough, I’d really just like an answer to all of this. Anyway I appreciate the advice, I hope someone can chime in about the process.</p>

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<p>Well, people on here are not really familiar with unique situations like yours (including me). It probably is best to talk privately with a transfer counselor or talk to transfer admissions at a couple UCs anonymously to see if they have any special programs with people like you.</p>

<p>Just FYI, UCs give a lot of points to strong upward trends as well as getting through bad life experiences. Average GPAs are for those that are the normal candidates. People do get into Cal/UCLA with <3.5 and other UCs with <3.0. It is unusual, but it does happen for those special cases.</p>

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<p>Just thought I’d give you guys an update. I went back over transcripts and protested 5 of the WFs from my previous school, I had dropped them before the required date, and they had only made them WFs because of my arrest (I suppose they felt that was just punishment?). After that was handled, I decided to come clean, and go in honest. I haven’t put a FERPA block on that school and I feel good about not having to lie, even though I’ll be entering into CC with a .74 over 21 hrs. Well, a new problem has arisen, now that I have requested a transcript from Univ B, they have put an indefinite hold on it due to disciplinary reasons (the arrest). I was told I need to speak with the dean of students to try to resolve this issue but that there is no guarantee or definite way to get the hold lifted…EVER. This would be a disaster obviously since getting my transcript is the only possible way to get into school again. I have paid my debts and dues, community service, restitution, fines etc. I just want my life back. What should I do to convince the dean that I deserve to have the hold lifted? I will obviously go in with passion and remorse and mention how I have paid my dues and how eternally sorry I am for committing a crime, even if it was blown far out of proportion. Any specific things I should say for convincing?</p>

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<p>The only thing I can think to do is maybe get someone, anyone who knows you really well, to write a letter on your behalf attesting to how much you’ve changed and how you’ve tried to rectify a situation. (Someone who handled your case? Or an adviser? Someone on campus.) </p>

<p>Gather any paperwork you have. Anything that puts IN WRITING the amount of community service hours you served, the fines you paid, etc. </p>

<p>Dress professionally and speak respectfully. Do not mention how unfair and blown out of proportion the whole thing was; mentioning that now will not do you any favors.</p>

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<p>Miss,</p>

<p>Thanks for the words!</p>

<p>The last thing I would do is go in with an attitude as obviously that is asking for trouble and rejection. I have thought about actually driving there unannounced with documentation (the school is 400 miles away) and meeting with them to show that I am really dedicated to setting this thing right. They said call though, so obviously I will do that first. I just think it comes across so much differently in person, obviously. I’m not sure about a letter, only because I am supposed to be calling/meeting tomorrow and not sure someone can whip something up with gusto and have it be real quality. I am hoping I do not have to go through some sort of appeals process because according to the websites, it will take 20 business days to come to a decision, which would take me back another semester until I can get things rolling. Anyway I guess we will see tomorrow, I will keep you guys posted, maybe someone can learn from my mistakes since this is a specific situation and is somewhat complicated.</p>

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<p>ImaPuppy -</p>

<p>Many community colleges are open enrollment, and use their own placement exams to determine which courses you are eligible for. No matter how your interview goes, please stop by the counseling center at the community college and find out whether you can begin some kind of coursework this fall. You may be able to.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>