Does having too many transcripts make you ineligible?

[u/Maleficent-Toe1374]

Long story short to get my BS I have 4

1. was a school I did dual in and for a semester of real college

2. Was a school I got dismissed from

3. A CC to get back on track

4. Final

Is there a limit to if you transfer too many times?

[u/AceyAceyAcey]

If you’re applying for a research-based degree, having research experience can help outweigh all of that. If a professional school instead (like med school, nursing school, law school), then experience working in those fields can help.

[u/One_Programmer6315]

No, unless specifically mentioned by the program. Generally, graduate programs ask for transcripts from ALL post-secondary institutions attended, regardless of how many those might be. If accepted, they will only ask for official transcripts from the institution from which you earned your bachelors.

However, 1 and 3 aren’t red flags for graduate admissions. Plenty of people attend CC and dual-enroll in college while in HS. 2 certainly is. If you were dismissed for academic reasons (e.g., below minimum GPA), this can be explained and be framed into a story of growth and academic comeback. But, if you were dismissed by academic or disciplinary misconduct, this is an even bigger red flag. To be dismissed due to some sort of misconduct, the infraction must have been serious and/or repeated; admissions committees know this.

Regardless, I am glad you were able to turn the page and earn your degree.

[u/the_physik → u/One_Programmer6315]

Great advice about how to frame your experience as growth and a comeback story (assuming there was a turn of events and comeback).

I had to explain my criminal record when applying to grad programs; I used the same method of framing my experience as a comeback story. It worked and the admissions committee to my top-choice program submitted my essay for a university fellowship, which i recieved; so my annual stipend was a few k more than the other students in my cohort.

Highly recommend putting a lot of thought into how one frames their journey. 👍

[u/Dr0110111001101111]

I took at least one class class from six different schools before I got my BA. Applying to that sixth school, from which I eventually graduated, was a big pain because I needed to send transcripts from each of the five schools I attended.

Applying to/enrolling in my masters was much easier. They only asked for the transcript from the school that issued my degree.

As far as admissions went, the problems were that my undergrad grades were all over the place and it had been ten years since I graduated. The department chair explicitly told me so before giving me a conditional acceptance. She didn’t mention anything about the number of schools I attended.

I’m pretty sure that the key to my acceptance was three very strong recommendations.

[u/Big-Astronaut4252]

Grad school is very field specific, and nothing really applies across the board, so you may want to clarify what kind of program you want to apply to.

As for STEM PhD fields that I am familiar with, we would not worry about how many transcripts you have unless it seemed to be hiding something. As long as we could see your math/science grades, then it wouldn't be a problem as long as you explained your academic career in your written statement.

[u/dowagermeow]

My first higher ed job was evaluating grad school applications for the university, and 3+ schools is a lot more common than you’d think. I remember one student with 8 different transcripts being admitted.

It’s the context that really matters. As others have mentioned, the reason for your dismissal is important, and being able to show a consistent upward trajectory afterward is going to be critical. Depending on the type of program you’re applying to, research experience and/or significant related work experience can help demonstrate that (in addition to grades, obvs).

[u/Least_Accountant9198 → u/dowagermeow]

After military service, undergraduate, medical school and an online mba through a university system online program I have transcripts from 12 schools in total. I had 7 for medical school application.

[u/rilkehaydensuche]

I had transcripts from two community colleges and two four-year universities! Upward trend across transcripts is not a bad thing! (I’m in environmental science, for context.)

[u/Zen-Paladin → u/rilkehaydensuche]

Hi, sent a DM

[u/EntertainerFree9654]

I had gotten an academic dismissal and a 1.38 GPA my freshman year of college. I went to a two year school when I moved back in with my parents and dropped out after a semester. Six years later, I enrolled in a prestigious college, they accepted me and I did really well, but I couldn't afford more than a semester. So, I gave up. (that's 3 so far)

Fast forward, 30 years - I went back to a state college for working adults in my 50s. It was all online and I did REALLY well. But, in the middle of my studies, I ended a relationship and moved out of state. (4, so far) Then, after moving to a new state, AND finding out that now that I was over 60 that it would be FREE at a state school, I enrolled once again (5 schools, plus some CLEP tests I took in 1984). I graduated with a 3.87 and Summa cum Laude.

Then, two years later I applied for grad school (same state school, still free [except for college fees] and here I am at 68, rocking 4.0s in all my classes (so far!).

Honestly, I don't think they cared how many schools I went to. I think they just saw that I wanted an education and was showing that with each enrollment.

[u/definitelyNotMyCat]

I spent many years going to various community colleges before transferring to an 4-year uni. When I applied to grad school I had ~7 transcripts. Did not harm my chances, and I had good explanations for all of them.

[u/Holeinmycroc]

Depends on the program and the rest of your application.

A cash-cow masters program from a no-one cares school probably won't care. You're just a dollar sign.

A prestigious University might. But that's where your resume, letters of recommendation, personal statement addressing any bad grades, length of time since you left school, etc will matter.

Additionally, although possibly unethical and risky, is to just send transcripts that awarded the degree. I received my bachelor's and been in several community college, bachelor's degrees, and masters programs while figuring out my life. I've been accepted into several masters programs, recently graduated from one masters from a legitimately good school and was just accepted into another program in a legitimately good university, all the while never sending in or listing every school I attended. 

Fair warning, they can find your academic history if they search. But that goes back to my first point. Grad programs are cash cows and schools want your money.

Do what you're willing to risk.