Applying for College

[Marlita 0]

Hello all,

My husband would like to apply for schools here in my state now. He is currently still in JA but we pray he will be here before the end of this year. This way he could start school in Winter Session or Spring 09.

What does he need to do to show proof of graduating from high school in Jamaica, and also show any credits he has taken while in college there? I am assuming he needs some sort of official transcript, but I don't exactly know what he needs to prepare.

Basically what all did you have to do to prepare for starting college in the states?

Thanks for your help!

[camifree 2]

He'd usually need official transcripts from where he got his high school diploma, and whatever college credits he's completed so far. However, each university and program have their own requirements; asking them directly would be the most accurate way to go. Most of the things can be turned in online, so it should move pretty fast. He might need to take SAT's or something like that, but maybe not.

Good luck with that!!

[TRELAWNY PARISH 10]

Hello all,

My husband would like to apply for schools here in my state now. He is currently still in JA but we pray he will be here before the end of this year. This way he could start school in Winter Session or Spring 09.

What does he need to do to show proof of graduating from high school in Jamaica, and also show any credits he has taken while in college there? I am assuming he needs some sort of official transcript, but I don't exactly know what he needs to prepare.

Basically what all did you have to do to prepare for starting college in the states?

Thanks for your help!

Hey Marlita,

With my ex, if my memory serves me correct, all we got was get a copy of his certificate from his high school in Westmoreland and the transcript of the classes he took at UWI. He started at a community college here in Maryland and he had to take some placement classes. This was in 1997, so it's been some time. I don't think he was able to transfer any of his credits from UWI. I'll check with one of my co-workers tomorrow. She went to school university in Jamaica and is now attending Howard University in D.C. Sorry, I wasn't of more help.

[Marlita 0]

Thanks for the info you two.

Lawny if you get more info from your coworker let me know. I'll tell Evan to get his transcripts and high school certificate in the mean time.

[Jengles 0]

Thanks for the info you two.

Lawny if you get more info from your coworker let me know. I'll tell Evan to get his transcripts and high school certificate in the mean time.

good idea, he could apply from now, but if your looking for financial aid then wait, he might get more aid, with his green card, not sure how the whole foreign student thing works, but you might want to call the school and ask

[sus 70]

Marlita - Your best bet to be truly prepared is to talk to counselors at the school you are thinking that he would attend. I just went through this with a friend -- He is from Brazil, and has 3 years of college from there. He was talking about trying to get his transcripts and go back to school here. I gave him the number to the continuing ed department of the school I did my BS at (that group handles the Bachelors of general studies program). He called, and they sent him a detailed list of exactly what he needs to do - even how to get his credits transferred. Most schools have at least one counselor who is really helpful.

Not sure about from JA, but I know that friends of mine from other countries have had to get documents in addition to the credits in order to transfer them - such as the syllabus, etc....

[TRELAWNY PARISH 10]

Mawnin Lita,

I just spoke to my co-worker, she came up in 2000 and went to school at UWI. She was not able to transfer any of her credits, but she said things may have changed since then. So, your hubby should bring as much info from the schools in Jamaica as he can gather. She also said it depends on the school he attends in the states. I'm almost 100% he will not be able to transfer his credits, but I may be wrong.

[Jack and Barbara 0]

I think it is very possible to transfer credits from a foreign school. Many universities even spell out the name of organizations that will help you do just that. I don't think they would waste your time and theirs if they were not serious about accepting it.

Of course, if you only took a couple of classes abroad, it might not be worth the process and cost of getting the grades translated and evaluated. Most schools, if any, will not accept translated grades. You must use an official evaluation service such as WES or AACRAO (some universities have preferences) to have grades evaluated to the GPA school, common in the U.S.

Now, if you study abroad for 3 years, you might not get 3 years of transfer credit, but it's worth pursuing. Some universities even offer a sample evaluation (so long as you send them translated transcripts). Don't forget to send TOEFL scores which are reuired. SAT scores are required for most schools if you have less than one year of college abroad, but often not required if you have over 1 year of university-level education. Again, it depends, so check schools in your area and get in touch with someone from international admissions (relates more for student visas, but can be helpful) or general admissions.