<p>Hey guys, new to the forum, quick question: When applying to law or medical school in the U.S., do I need to send them a transcript from all schools I have attended? I attended Purdue in the U.S. for 2 years but then left for complicated reasons and resumed my studies at a school outside the U.S. where I am going to graduate from this year. My GPA when I left Purdue was only a 2.6, but my overall GPA from the school I'm at now is a 3.6. So do I need to send my Purdue transcript also (from over 3 years ago)? If so, will that 2.7 GPA transcript affect my standing in the eyes of a law school or medical school?</p>
<p>I think you’d be better off sending it. I believe clearinghouse could spot that you didn’t send transcripts and that would automatically disqualify you from acceptance. As for the 2.6 GPA’s impact - I think it could hurt your chances. It could be interpreted that you struggled at an American school, but did better off at a foreign school (which is technically true) - and with the med/law school you’re applying to being in the USA, they might use that as an indicator of success at their school.</p>
<p>It seems as though you may be hunting for some validation in not sending the transcript from Purdue. You aren’t the first person to start out poorly but improve with time after developing some motivation. I would address this in a personal statement but I certainly wouldn’t leave it out. This is the kind of thing that might cause trouble for you down the road. If you really don’t think you have a great shot, or if you apply and get denied by everywhere you apply, you can always work as a tech for a couple of years and reapply with more experience, better references and an adult sense of maturity. All the best in your pursuits.</p>
<p>you need to send the purdue transcript. did you do a completely new degree at the foreign school, or did you transfer credits from purdue? if it’s a new degree entirely, you may be able to get away for a little while without sending the transcript, but they’ll probably figure out that you went to an american school and didn’t do well there, and if they know you withheld information knowingly, they’ll toss your application.</p>
<p>if you got transfer credits from purdue, then it will be incredibly obvious that you spent a few years at another institution and they will want to see that transcript. once they do, the 2.7 GPA will hurt you.</p>
<p>if you send the transcript up front, and mention in your SOP that you improved and got serious about your studies after you took some time away, that can help you a little. but you’ll need to really, really, REALLY ace the MCAT and LSAT to have a shot at getting in somewhere. in general, foreign degrees are seen as less rigorous than american ones (with a few notable exceptions), so doing better outside the country is unsurprising.</p>
<p>also… law and medicine are very different fields. do you have a real passion for either of these things? because, if not, the rigors of either law school or med school will burn you out and you won’t make it through. both law and med schools are going to want to see significant volunteer work in relevant areas. do you have any?</p>
<p>In this case, for sure. The only case where you wouldnt have to is if you picked up advanced credits in HS or some prep program like they have in Quebec that isn’t HS but isnt university either.
“All transcripts” mean everything from every university (and in many cases CCs and JUCOs you’ve attended). It can be a bummer, but that’s the way it is.</p>