Things you need to do before leaving the UK

[QueenOfBlades 224]

I started trying to get copies of my alevel certs and gcse certs to convert my UK qualifications to US with a company called WES ( or something) but it REALLY was a LOT of work and hassle and money. I eventually gave up. I would recommend paying someone to do it for u. Seriously

What is that regarding needing the "transcripts for every year of secondary education completed" though? Surely our certificates would be enough? I have my certificates but after reading that website, I have no idea what the hell they're going to need. What is everyone else doing?

[Vanitas 310]

What is that regarding needing the "transcripts for every year of secondary education completed" though? Surely our certificates would be enough? I have my certificates but after reading that website, I have no idea what the hell they're going to need. What is everyone else doing?

Unfortunately not. And I'll explain why I *think* they aren't.

I was looking at becoming a teacher and therefore having to do a Master's over in the States to enable this. When they list the entry requirements they usually talk about coursework or things you should have covered in your Bachelor's degree in order to be eligible straight off the bat (usually you can take courses to bring you up to speed if you aren't). The transcript from University will detail every single module you took. When you then have that transcript looked at by one of the companies in the US, I suspect they then look at your University's module guide (or course guide, whatever) to work out exactly what you had to do to pass that module. I also think they'll translate your grades into the US system of GPAs and all that so you can be assessed for that requirement as well.

In short? If you have a degree, it'd be a good idea to contact your University to get a transcript sorted. Mine from Kent Uni will cost £10 or so.

[QueenOfBlades 224]

Unfortunately not. And I'll explain why I *think* they aren't.

I was looking at becoming a teacher and therefore having to do a Master's over in the States to enable this. When they list the entry requirements they usually talk about coursework or things you should have covered in your Bachelor's degree in order to be eligible straight off the bat (usually you can take courses to bring you up to speed if you aren't). The transcript from University will detail every single module you took. When you then have that transcript looked at by one of the companies in the US, I suspect they then look at your University's module guide (or course guide, whatever) to work out exactly what you had to do to pass that module. I also think they'll translate your grades into the US system of GPAs and all that so you can be assessed for that requirement as well.

In short? If you have a degree, it'd be a good idea to contact your University to get a transcript sorted. Mine from Kent Uni will cost £10 or so.

Thing is though, on that site, it says about having a transcript for secondary education too. I've never even heard of this and don't know if mine would do it. I've never gone to college or uni here, just the basic primary and secondary education.

Would I need a transcript for my GCSEs? Has anyone here been through that?

(I have all of my official results certificates)

Edited September 19, 2013 by QueenOfBlades

[Vanitas 310]

I certainly hope not because that would be hell to get for something like 10-12 individual subjects all from different exam boards..

[Azsara 110]

Thing is though, on that site, it says about having a transcript for secondary education too. I've never even heard of this and don't know if mine would do it. I've never gone to college or uni here, just the basic primary and secondary education.

Would I need a transcript for my GCSEs? Has anyone here been through that?

(I have all of my official results certificates)

There is no way u could get a transcript for every year of secondary school surely? That would make sense if you had to "pass" every year like in america but in the UK u just need to pass your GCSE's (which strictly speaking you dont *need* to pass even those), Your GCSE results will be sufficient along with certs from each of the exam bodies u sat ur exams with.

WES the company I was using did not want any of my gcse certs if i had done anything even remotely higher i.e foundation degree, diploma, a-levels etc.

There exact wording said "Only attach certificates of your highest level of education".

I did a lot of research on it at the time and it was my understanding that we have to sit a GED exam (or whatever its called that highschool students do) no matter what, and they will just use your results on that to determine your level of education so if you dont have a degree (like me) I dont see the point in getting your GCSE's converted.

As for a-levels i was going to get those converted just to see if it gave me ANY credits towards a college degree in the states but i think it worked out as something like 2 credits per a-level which is really just pointless for the stress of the whole process in the first place if u ask me

Oh P.S

The contact details are as follows:

Eng Lit, French, General Studies, Biology, Sociology, Philosophy, Eng Lang are all AQA exam board) You can either ring their switchboard on 01483 506506 and ask for candidates services or email examsrecords-s@aqa.org.uk

Psychology is OCR Visit their website, click on ‘Learners and Parents’ and follow the link to ‘lost certificates’. Then you must print and send the hard copy to them. Their telephone number for customer services is 01223 553998 in case you get stuck.

EDEXCEL( GCSE Maths) You must fill out this application form https://www.edexcel.com/i-am-a/student/replace-certs-secure/Pages/default.aspx

Those are the only particular subjects for exam bodies I have on file as those were the only ones I was missing. Im sure you should be able to find out the exam bodies of any others online

Edited September 19, 2013 by Azsara

[Azsara 110]

Yes I remember talking about phone bills once and was shocked by how much he pays. I'm on the lowest possible o2 one here (I never call anyone!) with a data bolt on; never more than about £20 per month. Best recalibrate my expectations there!

We had the phone bill conversation too and Steve was like, ok im going to put you on my account we can get a really good deal, it will just be $75 a month for your phone and you get like 600mins. I was like, I pay £15 a month right now to Virgin for unlimited EVERYTHING

[Jo Amelia Finlay 20]

We had the phone bill conversation too and Steve was like, ok im going to put you on my account we can get a really good deal, it will just be $75 a month for your phone and you get like 600mins. I was like, I pay £15 a month right now to Virgin for unlimited EVERYTHING

It's crazy isn't it! Bob and I spoke about it again last night, he pays over $100 a month right now!!! Although he admits he's on an old tariff that he's not got around to updating yet, so possibly could exist on cheaper. I was literally like "You think I could get one for... half that? o_0". I don't want all my savings I'm going over there with to be eaten up by phone bills!

We were saying we'd both heard about the company Ting, which seems good value. But I don't think the coverage in Plattsburgh is very good (yet). Think what I'll do is drop down to a pay and go with my current, use that along with my Tracphone and go from there.

[QueenOfBlades 224]

Do you all mean like contacting the examination boards for the official certificates of your results? I have all of those already because I ordered them not long after I got the results, but I've never heard of a transcript for every year of secondary education completed.

[jola83 19]

About phones ,my fiance pays like $40 per month and that includes international calling.it isn't a contract as such the money comes out of his account each month but he can basically leave at any time and don't have to stay with the network 18 months or whatever it is .I think some UK networks offer the same thing also .you probably have to buy your phone outright though (I don't know if contracts are the same in states where handsets are free on certain tariffs) ,you can more than likely do this with a SIM only for those who said they are keeping their phones ,as someone had mentioned though your UK phones may not be able to be unlocked to carry an american SIM .my fiance tried to get his American BlackBerry unlocked when he was living in uk and he couldn't ,the guy who owned the phone shop he went to was American and Said most phones can't be converted,this was 3 years ago though ,so it might be different with newer handsets anyways my fiance is with t mobile ill ask him more about it and get back to u guys

Edited September 23, 2013 by jola83

[QueenOfBlades 224]

Can anyone clarify for me whether I need some form of transcripts for my secondary education? :S Online it only offers for college and uni, no results for secondary education.

[Kiwinyc 62]

Don't panic about 'secondary school transcripts' no one ever asks for those, unless maybe, you have nothing higher? University transcripts are what you need, and degree certificate(s).

As for mobile - I have an unlocked iPhone 4S (bought from Apple here) In the US it works with AT&T and I have a PAYG 'Go' sim, $25 a month for 300 min of calls and unlimited texts (within the US) $25 more for unlimited data. (You can pay a smaller amount for less data too). I believe it also works with T-Mobile but NOT Verizon which uses a different spectrum. In my shorter trips I don't bother paying for data as free wifi is everywhere or I just send texts.

(Yes, here I pay less than £10 a month for the equivalent including unlimited data but I get 50% discount as an ex t-mobile employee so I'm really spoilt)

[Jo Amelia Finlay 20]

Another medical thought:

If you're the kind of person who keeps on top of this stuff, have any check-ups before you go, so that they are up to date and you're not due another for a spell. Saves worrying about that on top of everything else.

Eg: eye test; dentist; smear test if you're a lady.

Not a major concern but doesn't hurt to have a bit of an MOT here where it probably costs less to do so! Then you know you're set for another year/six months before you have to think about it again. I think I will aim to do this.

[soapface 16]

Agreed with Jo. Also, if you're on any medication/contraceptive pills try to stock up before you go!

[Vanitas 310]

Agreed with Jo. Also, if you're on any medication/contraceptive pills try to stock up before you go!

That's in the original list I made, if you'll take a read. I also mentioned that if you're taking a lot of meds you may need a doctor's letter just in case your suitcase gets opened and you get asked questions.

[soapface 16]

Ah yes, i missed that one, sorry! Good idea about the doctors note too.