I just read over the updated instructions for the PTCAS application for this upcoming cycle. I don't know if I'm just completely missing this - but how I send my official transcript to PTCAS? Is there a code for it or an address? I don't see it at all mentioned on the transcript instructions.
http://www.ptcas.org/Transcripts/
There's a more in-depth explanation here: http://tinyurl.com/njjrto5 I found this when I searched google for "transcript matching form", since the instructions weren't very clear.
I just read over the updated instructions for the PTCAS application for this upcoming cycle. I don't know if I'm just completely missing this - but how I send my official transcript to PTCAS? Is there a code for it or an address? I don't see it at all mentioned on the transcript instructions.
You have to wait until the application process opens, then you complete the "institutions attended" section, then you have the ability to print the transcript request form. They do this because they have barcodes on the form that are specific to your application so PTCAS knows where the transcript information goes. Then you take that to the registrar at your school and they will send it in to PTCAS for you. If everything goes well, your transcript shows up on your application not too much later.
To clarify further:
I only have to print ONE transcript request form (so a total of one copy goes to PTCAS)
Then i send more out to the schools in question directly if they ask for it??
(and update it when fall grades are up?)
To clarify further:
I only have to print ONE transcript request form (so a total of one copy goes to PTCAS)
Then i send more out to the schools in question directly if they ask for it??
(and update it when fall grades are up?)
No. It will all become clear to you once you actually make an account and start doing the application, which won't be until next summer for you so you don't really need to worry about it for now.
But just so you have less anxiety and to be clear: There is a section of the application called "Institutions Attended". In that section you add every post-secondary institution which you have attended. You also enter the specifics of each and every class you have taken at each institution. You can do this by referencing a copy of your unofficial transcript, which you can get for free from each school. Then, once you have entered all this information, each institution will have a button next to it that says "Print Transcript Request Form". You will therefore print one (1) PTCAS Transcript Request form for each school you have attended, each of which will contain a unique barcode that allows PTCAS to match the right transcripts to the right schools on the right applications. You will contact each school you have attended, either by email/fax/phone or by visiting the registrars office in person. The registrar's office and/or the school's website will provide you with the school's own official transcript request form, which you will fill out (with the address that PTCAS has given you on their form to send transcripts to) and send back/give back to the registrar, along with payment and the PTCAS transcript request. On the school's official transcript request form you will note that you would like them to include the PTCAS form that you have provided them when they mail your official transcript to PTCAS. There will be no problem with this as most people requesting official transcripts have some such form they need sent along with the transcript, and PTCAS will then receive your transcripts, verify that they match the course-specific and school-specific data that you have entered, and then, once your application is all done and you e-submit, your GPA's will be calculated.
It's not as complicated as it sounds, PTCAS is just a lot easier to understand when you are looking at the application itself instead of just reading the pdf of the instructions.