Notary and Translation Guide – Academic Transcripts
Official transcripts are required of all applicants to the Graduate School of Arts &
Sciences. This guide is designed to assist prospective applicants who have attended
universities outside of the United States. Below you will find information related to the required
procedures an applicant must take in order for their transcripts to be considered official by the
Admissions Office.
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International*Transcripts*–**
Required*Procedures*to*Ensure*Your*Transcript*is*Official*
Your!Situation!
Action!Required!
My official transcript is in
English, and my university
provides official transcripts
directly to applicants and/or
institutions
• Request that your institution send the official, signed and
sealed transcript directly to GRS Admissions via postal
mail.
OR
• Request that your institution provide you with your official
transcript in a signed and sealed envelope. Place the
sealed envelope in a larger envelope (do not open your
transcript!) and send it to the GRS Admissions Office
yourself.
My official transcript is not
issued in English
GRS Admissions requires that students submit a certified
English translation of ALL transcripts and academic records
(coursework, graduation/diploma certificates) with the originals.
• The translation may be completed by an embassy (if
available) or professional translation service/ notary (see
below, “Translation Requirements and Guidelines”).
• GRS Admissions will not accept copies of a translation;
the original, certified documents must be sent via
postal mail to the GRS Admissions Office. Plan
accordingly when requesting the number of certified
translations.
• Submit the original, (non-translated) transcript or
certified copy of the original with the certified
translation to GRS Admissions.
• E-mailed, scanned, or faxed documents are not
acceptable. There are no exceptions to this policy!
My university only provides 1
official transcript to students
• Bring the original transcript to your institution or a
notary/translation service, who can attest they have seen
the original transcripts and provide a certified or true copy.
• The original, certified copy must be submitted via postal
mail to GRS Admissions in a signed, sealed envelope;
photocopies will not be accepted.
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Translation Requirements and Guidelines
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• Plan Ahead. Please be advised that both the translating process of your international
transcripts, as well as mailing international documents to the Admissions Office, can take
several weeks! Plan accordingly to ensure your documents will arrive in our office prior to
the application deadline of your prospective department.
• Evaluation vs. Translation Services. Please be aware that there is a difference
between evaluation and translation services:
o Translation services provide a direct translation of the content to English. They
make no interpretation of your education. This direct, certified translation is the
requirement for applicants to the Graduate School.
o Evaluation services, such as World Education Services (WES) and the Center
for Educational Documentation (CED), analyze your academic records and are
designed to provide an evaluation or compare your education to the U.S. system.
You are welcome to provide an evaluation in addition to your official translation
provided by a separate organization. However, a WES evaluation is not
accepted as an official transcript.
• Notary/Translation Services. If your university does not provide your transcript in
English, you should contact your embassy/consulate to determine if they provide
translation/notary services of academic transcripts and records:
U.S. Department of State - List of Embassies:
http://www.usembassy.gov/
Consulate Offices in Boston:
http://www.studyboston.com/international-students/foreign-consular-offices.html
If this is not an option, you will need to use a professional translation service. The table
below provides recommended resources for translation and notary services:
Service/Organization
Information
Transperfect (420 Bolyston
Street, 4
th
Floor Boston,
MA)
Documents are subject to a three-step certified
translation process and can be certified by a notary
upon request.
North American
Educational Group
(Swampscott, MA)
Provide notarized translations; standard turnaround time
is 10 to 15 business days. Rush processing available
for additional fees.
University Language
Services, Inc (online;
various locations)
WES recommended professional translation services
network. May contact within and outside of the United
States for translation resources.
American Translators
Association
Ability to search online directory to location translator
companies based on language requirements and
content specialty. Member translators are required to
pass ATA certification.
UPS (various locations,
Boston MA)
The UPS Store provides fast and reliable notary
services at many of its locations; visit the website for
more details (notary services only).
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