Database for transcripts

[NumberSix]

Is there a database schools use to check for transcripts when you apply to graduate schools? If so does anyone know its name?

[sanantone]

I'm not quite sure I understand the question. 99.9% of the time, you have to request transcripts from the undergraduate schools to be sent to the graduate school.

[cookderosa]

Is there a database schools use to check for transcripts when you apply to graduate schools? If so does anyone know its name?

Some professional programs, like med schools and law schools, have central application databases. So, you send your info once and then you use THAT account to apply to each school. For med school it's AMCAS. Beyond that type of situation, everyone else will want original official transcripts from your undergrad degree, and often from additional separate credit sources within that degree. For instance, if you attended a community college and earned an AA, then earned a BA from your state school, it's reasonable for grad schools to request BOTH transcripts.

[EI2HCB]

Starbucks U uses Seattle City University and they use an external transcript service company to send transcripts off to other colleges.
I can't remember the name of it right now but I'll let you know when I log back into the site.

[clep3705]

Just in case anybody reading this thread wonders if there is a central academic database listing all of the schools you ever attended, there isn't. The rules are that you are obligated to tell a college or university about all of the other schools you attended. If you went to school A and transferred to school B and later applied to school C but only admitted to attending school B, school C would know about school A because it would be mentioned on school B's transcript. If you went to school D and later attended school E without mentioning school D at all and later applied to school F and never mentioned school D, school F would never know you went to school D.

I realize this may not have anything to do with what the original poster wanted to know, but people do wonder from time to time. I know of cases where people have "forgotten" to list a school they flunked out of. That horrifies many people because if the new school found out, they could throw the student out for lying on an application. The people who do such things conclude that the risk of maybe not being allowed to complete the degree is insignificant when compared to the certainty of not being admitted to the new school.

[cookderosa]

Just in case anybody reading this thread wonders if there is a central database listing all of the schools you ever attended, there isn't. The rules are that you are obligated to tell a college or university about all of the other schools you attended. If you went to school A and transferred to school B and later applied to school C but only admitted to attending school B, school C would know about school A because it would be mentioned on school B's transcript. If you went to school D and later attended school E without mentioning school D at all and later applied to school F and never mentioned school D, school F would never know you went to school D.

I realize this may not have anything to do with what the original poster wanted to know, but people do wonder from time to time. I know of cases where people have "forgotten" to list a school they flunked out of. That horrifies many people because if the new school found out, they could throw the student out for lying on an application. The people who do such things conclude that the risk of maybe not being allowed to complete the degree is insignificant when compared to the certainty of not being admitted to the new school.

Since you brought this up, you "can" find centralized data on students who received financial aid.

[clep3705]

Yes, quite true. I amended my post to say "central academic database", which was my intent. Those I know who have flunked out and secretly started over have no financial aid records.

The person who starts over at another school may not be able to get financial aid the second time around. If they don't apply for financial aid at the second school, it doesn't seem likely that the centralized financial aid database would be checked.

And then there are those who flunked out, did not hide it, but managed to get accepted because they attended so many schools that the transcript with the academic suspension was overlooked, hidden in plain sight.

[sanantone]

Some schools use third party providers where students request transcripts. This just entails the student ordering a transcript from the third party, and the third party requests the transcript from the school. These aren't databases, and there are a lot of third party providers. Some schools within a state are connected to a network where they can quickly send transcripts electronically. Again, you still have to request the transcript. Very few schools will request transcripts for you. There is no such thing as a central database of transcripts where the school you are applying to can go look at your transcripts.

Like Cookderosa was talking about, I have seen common applications for certain areas of study. I almost used one to apply for a public health program, but decided to apply directly to the school since it was easier, and I only planned to apply to one public health school.

[cookderosa]

Here, have at it. Look yourself up-

here
National Student Clearinghouse

and here
National Student Loan Data System for Students

[sanantone]

Here, have at it. Look yourself up-

here
National Student Clearinghouse

and here
National Student Loan Data System for Students

I believe the National Student Clearinghouse is used to verify degrees, certifications, and enrollment at participating colleges/organizations. I have to use it to request transcripts from Angelo State University. When you're applying to graduate school, it's still the same process. The graduate school can't go there to see your transcripts. It's just a third party company where you order transcripts.