Hi guys!
I got an email from FIT in NYC. The admissions counselor messaged me asking if I was enrolled in a community college beforehand (because I mentioned it in my essay).
I told him yes, but I was only there for two months until I dropped out, in which he told me that I still needed to send a transcript.
I assumed that because I dropped out so early I wouldn’t even count going to community college, and so I never sent a transcript.
Might be a stupid questions but why exactly is he asking for a transcript from a college I barely even went to?
Every college will ask for it because it will show up on the database that lists all colleges students attended. Colleges use the info. on the transcripts to make admission decisions. Why did you drop out?
Once they know you attended somewhere else they need to pursue getting the transcript. Do the grades show as Ws or Fs? If the community college could provide you with last date of attendance information that could be helpful as a supplement to the transcript.
“Might be a stupid question but why exactly is he asking for a transcript from a college I barely even went to?”
They need to verify your information, as well as your eligibility to apply as a new student versus that of a transfer. Also, if you enrolled in a college course (or more), your performance, even partial, is useful information for an admissions committee. Finally, before sending it, look at it yourself and make sure there are no errors. Correct any errors if they appear as soon as possible. But, keep in mind that if you wait too long in attempting a correction, any failure/delay to respond in a timely fashion may count against you. Good luck.
@austinmshauri Thank you for your answer. I dropped out to work for awhile in order to get my finances up, as well as work on projects that can contribute to what I want my career to be. Other than verification, do colleges require education history in order to actually enroll and be accepted?
@MAandMEmom Thanks for answering! Yes, the grades all show up as Withdrawals, so there’s barely anything on my transcript in the first place. Besides required documentation of a transcript, would they need it to legally enroll me if I were to get accepted?
Once they know you were enrolled somewhere else (your essay) they will likely add it to their checklist of items they need before your app is complete. I would just send it. Colleges know that students sometimes have false starts. If anything it makes you potentially a more interesting applicant who wants to succeed.
“Legally” they can make their own admission rules. Colleges don’t just take people’s words usually on things that can be verified – someone might shade the truth about how many classes they had taken or GPA.
There’s a database that colleges can use to verify whether or not students have attended other schools, so they can find out whether you tell them or not. Some will reject students for not being completely honest about their education history. If they’ve been accepted, the acceptances can be withdrawn and students can be required to repay any grants they received.
If you don’t provide the transcripts they won’t process financial aid or complete the application process, so you won’t be accepted. If you’d been accepted before they found out, you wouldn’t be permitted to enroll until you provide them. Colleges make their own rules. If you don’t abide by them, you just don’t get to attend.
^^ Correct the National Student Clearinghouse can submit your information and learn if you’ve been enrolled somewhere else. I really see no downside to submitting the transcript especially if you spent the time to discuss your first attempt at college…