<p>Hello,</p>
<p>I have a few questions about transcripts and letters of recommendation for graduate schools that i hope can be answered here. They might seem lengthy but are pretty straightforward....</p>
<p>1) For applications due in late November/early December, does one send their fall grades immediately after they become available? I mean, since fall grades of the final undergrad year wouldn't be available till 2-3 weeks after most deadlines, do schools wait for those until the applications are reviewed? Or is it similar to a lot of undergrad admissions where they'd focus on freshman through junior year and let you in as long as you didn't screw up any senior classes?</p>
<p>2) Some schools are a bit vague in the wording about what transcripts they want, but maybe it's just me. One school I'm looking at (Columbia) says they want, "Official Undergraduate Transcript: Applicants must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited undergraduate institution at the time they matriculate into the School of Arts." Does this mean they only want a transcript from the university that granted you a degree or does that include every transcript, such as a transcript from a community college where i took one class (a sociology course) that transferred. </p>
<p>3) How often are letters of recommendation entirely from the applicants undergrad professors? I only have one professor in mind and not too sure who else would be an appropriate choice. I have a former Boy Scouts leader in mind, as well as former high school teacher (both have really great credentials). Thoughts on those?</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>Unless a school specifically asks for first semester senior grades, you will not have to send them. You will probably have to send a final transcript at the end of the year to the school you decide to attend, but you will not have to send updated first semester grades during the application process.</p>
<p>Recommendation letters do not have to be only from undergrad professors, but I think it's highly advisable to have them from people in your field. The recommendation letters are not like those for undergrad -- you're not looking for people to say "so-and-so is a model citizen and a good human being". You're looking for people to directly comment on your research and scholarship skills, and those people should be professionals in the field you intend to enter.</p>
<p>I forgot to also mention that for example, UCLA says they require at least a B average in the last 2 years of undergrad, which made me wonder how they factor everything in. Also, what about having to send the transcripts from say, a community college where I took one course? It's also tough finding good recommenders that work in the film industry. Thanks for your reply.</p>
<p>1) send transcripts at the time of application, and then wherever you're admitted will require your final transcript that says you've completed your degree. Unless they ask for more, that's it.</p>
<p>2) That just means that you have to prove to them that you've graduated from undergrad before you can enroll in grad school. They still usually want every transcript. If you took the community college class after high school, then you should send a transcript of it. If you took it during high school, then it varies between schools whether they care or not.</p>
<p>3) Grad schools could care less about high school. Or Boy Scouts. As well as undergrad professors, people you've worked for in some (hopefully relevant) capacity are also acceptable.</p>
<p>Well, I don't think they'd mention either high school or scouts but rather my potential in the field I'm pursuing. The main problem is that the programs I'm applying to (film) are unrelated to my current major. I do have some contacts and people I've worked for in the film industry but they don't know me that well. I suppose the best thing would be to show them my work and talk to them about it. Thanks for your reply.</p>