Unofficial vs. official transcripts vs. statements of result

Students frequently confuse three common academic documents when preparing graduate applications. Submitting the wrong document can stall your evaluation or void an application.

1. Statement of Result / Notification of Completion

• What it is: A temporary, one-page document issued immediately after the university senate approves graduation, certifying that degree requirements were fulfilled.
• Validity: Often accepted for up to 1–2 years pending the formal printing of the diploma scroll.
• Limitation: Does not contain detailed course-by-course grades.

2. Student Copy / Unofficial Transcript

• What it is: A transcript printout issued to the student for personal records, marked "STUDENT COPY" or "UNOFFICIAL".
• Use case: Suitable for initial graduate school applications where admissions committees perform preliminary GPA evaluations.

3. Official Academic Transcript

• What it is: The complete, sealed, and verified historical record dispatched directly between institutions.
• Use case: Mandatory for credential evaluation (WES, ECE), professional board licensing, and final unconditional university matriculation.