A little chat with UTB's Transcript Evaluator...

The University of Texas at Brownsville exposes the truth behind the mystery that is "transcript evaluation".  An interview with one of three transcript evaluators currently working at UTB/TSC leads me to answers I (and every other student) have been searching for since our inception to higher learning. 

I started off slow, with some general questioning before tackling the major issues.  Here's the noted version...

How long does it take for a transcript to reach you personally (minus mail carrier time)?

 - Bottom line, it can be anywhere from 1 to 2 weeks honestly. Once the transcript is received at the Admissions Office, it is processed by student workers who place the transcript information into a system, then it is passed over to an actual evaluator.

 

What do you do with it once it reaches your hands? How do you evaluate it?

 - I immediately input the grades for common courses into Datatel. Typically, transcripts from local RGV colleges are quickly placed into the database since their academic core courses will transfer over. When I receive transcripts from other colleges outside the RGV or the state, I first

1. Check accreditation of that college
2. Research descriptions of courses that may transfer in

As you can imagine, this may take a while so we generally leave outside (the RGV) colleges for last.

Courses that absolutely do NOT transfer are remedials, certificate of completions, academies (Police Academy, etc.) or Graduate Study courses.

How does that work? Is there a rubric you use or point system to determine what courses are "worthy of transfer"?

 - Honestly, it is technically up to each of our opinions. A bit of power on our side I suppose. I check for matching course descriptions, but generally I  don't evaluate every course unless the student asks.

 

Alright, KINE courses...spill it.

 - I will generally give transfer credit into the college for any KINE course that involves a physical activity (even the online versions) except for KINE 1301. As far as KINE 1301 goes...if you took that course on or before Fall 2009, we will take it...if you took it Spring 2010 and on, we won't.

 

How do you handle Foriegn Universities?

 - That's a horse of a different color...for another conversation. 

 

Very well.

 

After that conversation, we decided to have a few follow up interviews in the future to dig more in depth on transfer questions.  I'll be out for a month on military training, but rest assured, I will be tackling this upon my arrival.  If you have specific questions you'd like answered, this is your chance.  Leave them in the comment section for me. 

Don't forget to "like" us at Facebook.com/TSTCgst

 

 

 

 

 

Posted via email from Joshua Hernandez's posterous

TAMUK transfer equivalency courses are here!

TAMUKequivCourses.pdf (39 KB)
View this on posterous

Here are the most recent courses that are transferable to Texas A&M Kingsville from Texas State Technical College Harlingen. 

Enjoy. 

Posted via email from Joshua Hernandez's posterous

Updated List of UTB Course offerings at TSTC

Hey everyone! Here is the updated list of UTB Courses that will be held at TSTC Harlingen.  If you have any questions...just ask. 

There are new updates made as time passes, please understand if locations/times change from now until course start dates. 

See the full gallery on posterous

Posted via email from Joshua Hernandez's posterous

Technology will keep Advisors on their toes..

There is a difference between ideal advising and a student's view of advising.  Advising is helping students become self-sufficient. Effective advisors care about students and want to make a difference in their lives.  Great advising is also interactive; both the student and advisor contribute.

The use of technology should not be an excuse to abandon the relationship or accountability aspect.  Instead, it should be a tool to aid in enhancing those aspects.  The tricky part is that with the use of technology, advisors must be true to the cause; advisors will have no choice but to keep up with the relationships and stay prepared to answer questions in a moment's notice. If the advisor is not organized and prepared then it will immediately show and the student will lose trust. 

From the student's perspective...the advisor should automatically be accounting for the following questions:

• Are the course and/or section number accurate?
• Do any of these courses conflict?
• Does the student have the necessary prerequisites, co-requisites, placement scores or other preparation to take the course?
• Are any courses for "instituitional credit only" that will not likely transfer to another institution?
• Is the student taking the courses in the proper sequence?
• Does the student need to take any courses this term that aren't offered in other terms?
• Have any course/program requirements changed from the previous semester?

The number one student problem is confusion. As the advisor, you are expected to be the expert.

How technology changes things...

If you are considering implementing, or perhaps have already implemented, technology and social media into your daily operations then I suggest you be aware of the side effects.  Technology brings three key factors to the equation of advisement:

1) Increase in turn-around time
          - Web 2.0 tools and social media platforms are syncronous. This means virtually instant communication.  Whether it be via e-mail, blog, instant message or the like...the communication is instantaneous.  Students are well aware of this and expect instant, tangible results.  If they send an e-mail to you with a question, they expect a response within minutes. 

2) Increase in advisor accountability
          - The instantaneous nature of communication technology creates a new sense of accountability on different scales.  Keep in mind that students communicating with you via e-mail, blog, etc. have the ability to track their communications. This means that not only are they able to be made aware of when you opened or deleted their e-mail, but they are also able to track and record the information transfered between both parties.  Advisors can no longer afford to make careless mistakes or answer a student without having done the proper research ahead of time. 

3) Adjustment to daily activities/work style
          - New technology sometimes requires an adjustment to current work styles.  If you are a bit more on the traditional side when it comes to tools you are using for advisement, consider the adaptations you will need to make if you plan on incorporating new technologies.  Aside from a possible learning curve, you will need to plan adjustments to keep up with the technologies and consider which mediums you will use to do so.  The majority of web 2.0 tools are able to be accessed via smart phones, desktop applications, web applications, text message and email.  Do some research on the tools you are considering to utilize. Instead of waking up in the morning to read the paper, you may have to alter that to checking your blog comments or email.

Posted via email from Joshua Hernandez's 2nd Posterous