Friday, May 7, 2010

VTU Transcripts: FAQ Part - 2

There have been a lot of questions asked on my blog about the process of VTU Transcripts and how to get them through Post along with basic questions about what are transcripts and CMC's etc and University rules etc. I have tried to answer all the questions earlier and have decided to consolidate all the responses together in 2 FAQ blog posts so that people can refer to the same in case they have queries.

Related Posts:
Getting VTU Transcripts though Post
FAQ Part 1

FAQ Part 2:

9. Could you tell me what do they mention in Consolidated MC?
a. Is it your first attempt marks or second attempt marks?
b. What are the total marks mentioned?
c. And if they don't mention second attempt marks in CMC then what’s the difference between CMC and the original marks card which you got in your first attempt when you had a back?

Ans: A CMC is one single marks card containing all the marks from semester 1 to last. It will show the latest marks and not the backlogs. But there will be ** mentioned next to those marks and it will be mentioned somewhere that this is not your 1st attempt marks for the subject. Total is the addition of latest marks. But you do not get a rank which is left blank if u got a back in any subject.

10. Is VTU the new name for Bangalore University? "I completed my B.E degree in 1998 from Bangalore University. Can I use this process as well"?

Ans: VTU is not the new name of Bangalore University. VTU is a relatively new university and has superseded Bangalore University for Engineering and Technical courses. Bangalore University still exists for other courses. Having said that I am not sure where you will get your transcripts from. I remember in 2001, VTU gave an option to BU students with backlogs to finish all their exams in that year after which they would not have the option again to clear their backlogs under VTU.

I would suggest that you call the VTU number that I have mentioned in my blog entry and check with them. Else, you can contact the Bangalore University directly.

This seems to be their website: http://www.bub.ernet.in/

11. What is the difference between consolidated marks card and Transcripts. Both are a single sheet of paper showing all the semester marks right?

Ans: Let me start with a caveat here. I have seen a Transcript but have only heard about a CMC.

Technically a CMC and a transcript are the same, they both provide marks of all your subjects. But the difference is that a Transcript has generally a universally accepted format which includes among other things, your marks per semester, the degree awarded, years of study, medium of instruction, institution name, rankings, and a key sheet specifying how to interpret the marks (GPA, %age, scales etc) etc etc. It includes very important information about the university that has awarded the degree and its accreditation (public/ private, govt etc). It is also sealed in an envelope with signs on both flaps from registrar evaluation.

A CMC is like your normal marks cards that we got every semester (glazed printed paper if u are from VTU). Just that it is a slightly larger piece of paper with marks of all semesters. Generally the above mentioned items of transcripts are not mentioned.

I have not come across a college which asks for a CMC. But they ALWAYS ask for a University Transcript. However a CMC is useful if you have lost marks cards, if you have had backlogs and got secondary marks cards, if you just want one single marks card to ease your handling or if you had a reevaluation/ recount done of any subject and had a change of marks. It just makes things easier.

12. "I am 2004 passed out. I would like to get my transcript from VTU Belagum directly not by post since i need them urgently. My question is do i need to carry original marks cards to VTU Register office to get my transcripts"?

Ans: From what i have read over the Internet, some people advice you to carry and some say not required. My understanding is that its not required (I got it by post without sending any original documents!!). However, at least carry a photocopied version just in case they ask for it. And if you are not at all worried about (& Insecure) about carrying original docs, there is no harm in carrying them too. Just 5-6 pieces of paper!

13. "I completed my engg. in 2006 but unfortunately got a backlog and cleared the backlog in January 2007, finally got my degree in somewhere 2008. So i want to know if i apply for a higher degree aboard then what should i fill in the column "date received for the degree" in the forms. Whether it should be June 06 (the month and year in which I completed my education) or it should be the date thats mentioned on the degree certificate(March '08)"?

Ans: VTU (with or without backlogs) gives degrees only after a year of graduating. I got mine in 2006 march when i had finished my course in 2005 April. However, i mentioned the April date as the degree receiving date as on that date i received the Provisional degree certificate. I didn't want to raise any complications by mentioning a date one year after completion of the course.

I did not have any problems with my degrees on doing so....

VTU Transcripts: FAQ Part - 1

There have been a lot of questions asked on my blog about the process of VTU Transcripts and how to get them through Post along with basic questions about what are transcripts and CMC's etc and University rules etc. I have tried to answer all the questions earlier and have decided to consolidate all the responses together in 2 FAQ blog posts so that people can refer to the same in case they have queries.

Related Posts:
Getting VTU Transcripts though Post
FAQ Part 2

FAQ Part 1:

1. I would like to know if the transcripts include the degree certificate?

Ans: The answer is no, the transcripts only include a white sheet of paper with all the semester and subject marks with a VTU seal and some dates and curricula language. That’s all!

2. Do you need to also send across a self addressed envelope with the rest of the stuff or will mentioning your mailing address suffice?

Ans: Self addressed envelope is not required. Just mention your address clearly on the covering letter. They use their own envelopes. VTU is rich enough to afford that ;-)

3. I am not located in Bangalore. Do you think they will mail it to another city in India?

Ans: I live in Kolkata and they sent me the transcripts here.

4. What is required in the Cover Letter?

Ans: A cover letter is a normal letter addressed to The VTU asking for ‘X’ no of transcripts, your full address, your VTU details like Name, USN No (roll) and College name and the DD details.

5. Can V send the mail through ordinary post or through speed post?

Ans: It all depends on how quickly you want them!

6. Should the photo copies of marks cards be attested by principal?

Ans: No, you don’t need to get them attested by anybody

7. “I am from Delhi and passed my Degree in 2006 in first class (2002 to 2006). I had 2 backs throughout my degree, and later I passed the exams. At the end I was not able to get my consolidated marks card for the two semesters, after clearing the back. So now what will be the status of my marks in the transcripts; will the new marks be added by default or I will have to get the marks sheet consolidated first and then get transcripts which would be quite hectic”.

Ans: Actually what i know of the process is that when u ask for the transcript, they mention only the final marks in each subject but put a * mark next to the subject indicating that it was not cleared in the first attempt and below that they mention 1, 2, 3 etc for all subjects i.e first attempt, 2nd attempt, 3rd attempt etc. These things are mentioned on the 2nd page of the transcripts which details how to read the transcripts.

8. "In my transcripts it’s mentioned that the language of instruction is English. But I am sceptical if the universities would consider this to exclude us from appearing for TOEFl or IELTS". Please throw light on this issue.

Ans: As far as Toefl/ IELTS are concerned, it depends on specific universities and how they treat the issue. I contacted the admissions department of the colleges that I applied to and mentioned that the medium of instruction was English for both my graduate and postgraduate degrees and the same is mentioned on my transcripts. All of them told me that I do not need TOEFL/ IELTS scores. A couple of them asked me to highlight the medium of instruction on my transcript (photocopy version).

If you look at the university websites, they generally mention in their FAQ's section as to how they are going to treat English language testing. Many mention it explicitly that if you have a degree from an English speaking country or have done your graduation where medium of instruction was English, and then Toefl etc is not required. It’s best to be sure and contact the various admissions departments if you are in doubt after going through the admission websites.

Note: My experience is only related to MBA courses in Europe.

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Ab Na Ja...An Impromptu Performance - Bodhi Tree (Saplings), XL Utsav

My first performance at XLRI was this impromptu gig that happened at XL Utsav in 2005. Our seniors were in the process of finishing college and asked us to take the stage and the mantle of 'Bodhi Saplings' leading on to Bodhi Tree after we reached the 2nd year at XLRI.

It is definitely not my best performance by any standards but very surprisingly, it is the only video of mine when i have performed on stage; hence i decided to put it up on my blog. Also because it is one of my favorite songs by a band that i grew up loving a lot. Its almost like 'Patience' by GNR in the sense that its a soft ballad rock song from a relatively heavy instrumental, fusion, rock oriented band.

Anyways, overall the song has some discrepancies between the leads, drums and vocals as i had never performed with these guys earlier and if i remember correctly, the leads and drums didn't even know how i was going to sing the song and hence the lags :)

The people on stage are Sebastian Chandy on the Lead guitar, Jishnu Dasgupta on the Base Guitar, Purnima Dore on the Drums and Me with the mike...



Again...this acts as a reminder of the slice of life i left behind at 'the best 2 years of my life'...