Are academic transcripts everything in postgraduate applications?

Hello all,

So I have been applying to MSc Machine Learning / Artificial Intelligence courses and have gotten a few rejections so far.

I had a very very strong personal statement, but I get the feeling the transcript is what really matters?

I spent quite a long time writing my personal statements and wondering whether it even matters. It might be wiser to get my next applications in as soon as possible and submit an okayish statement..?

Also I am having an issue with 'admissions officers' not being able to see that my Computer Science course contains mathematics within it, as the module names do not make this so obvious for them. Would it be okay to attach a page, with my transcript, highlighting modules and how they make me appropriate for the course, along with their syllabuses?

Many thanks.

Showing that your modules are relevant and relating what you have learned to your prospectives master's course is something you should be doing in your personal statement. I know that you say you have a 'very very strong personal statement', but not including discussion of your previous degree's modules seems like an oversight. Have you shown your PS to anyone with experience of appraising them, e.g. your former personal tutor?

Yes, my personal statement is said to be very strong.

This is all included in my personal statement, however I fear that I may be getting rejected/'filtered' for the transcript alone and they do not read my personal statement.

I never realised it was like this, especially considering some of the application fees! I even thought the course director himself has a good look at the whole application, but that often is not the case.

The only places you can explain your modules are either in your personal statement, or in your references provided by an academic from your previous university. It is unlikely that they would reject you purely on module titles (as opposed to module performance), and they would not ask for a personal statement if they never planned to read it. If an admissions tutor was unsure of your previous degree's content, it is likely that they would contact you or your previous university for further information. As they haven't, they obviously thought that this wasn't a key factor in rejecting you.

How did you do in your undergraduate degree? Could your module marks be letting you down?

I got a First Class Honours, but just about.

My transcript does not look very good, because in the first year I got a lot of marks below 60.

My dissertation grade was also below 60.

I really do feel it is in the transcript letter me down. But in one particular case at least, I know that they only assessed my transcript and did not consider my motivations etc.

I got a First Class Honours, but just about.

My transcript does not look very good, because in the first year I got a lot of marks below 60.

My dissertation grade was also below 60.

I really do feel it is in the transcript letter me down. But in one particular case at least, I know that they only assessed my transcript and did not consider my motivations etc.

I got a First Class Honours, but just about.

My transcript does not look very good, because in the first year I got a lot of marks below 60.

My dissertation grade was also below 60.

I really do feel it is in the transcript letter me down. But in one particular case at least, I know that they only assessed my transcript and did not consider my motivations etc.

I have a similar dilemna, I graduated in 1992 when there were no transcripts. The only records that the university have kept are from my first year which aren't very good either. They havemade up a transcript for me (just two modules scoring in the 60's bracket and the rest in the 50's). There is the added problem that I need a 'good' 2:1 to do the course and I cannot prove that I have this. I can only prove that I have a 2:1

Have you been working in relevant areas since? A 2.1 in 1992 is at least a high 2.1 nowadays - has the university actually quibbled this? I applied in 2003 and got a transcript for a degree I graduated from in 1989 and no-one quibbled - and I got a 2.2 in an irrelevant subject and was applying for a Masters at Cambridge! Professional experience normally counts much more with that much gap in formal education.

I have been in full-time employment (un-related) since graduating but and have done some voluntary work and courses relating to the specific field I want to study in. The university where I did my BA is the same one as I am applying to study for an MA so they will probably know that all the records have not been kept. The problem is also that my first year marks are not reflective of my abilities. I had an ongoing issue in my frst year and it is something I will not be able to put ona personal statement.