Locating:your university/college degrees

[tulip]

When I was job searching in Europe, I had to produce copies of my diplomas. Never have I been asked to prove my degrees in the US, however.

My BA diploma is in a flat box along with one of my Masters diplomas and a professional certification. My other Masters diploma came in a fake leather book, which is great because it's protected. I've never framed them, but I keep meaning to. When I finish out my cottage in the backyard as my office, I'll frame them and put them there. I think I would find it odd to have them hanging in my house, but appropriate in a separate office.

[SheFly]

Call the registrar's office of the school you went to - for a fee, they will send you a new diploma.

I got married still in university, and received my diploma with my married name on it. When I was divorced, it was important to me to have that changed to my maiden name (since I did 3.5 years of my degree before getting married). I called the registrar, and they re-issued my diploma (This was Univ of Waterloo).

Good luck!

SheFly

[shootingstar]

Of interest to folks, particularily recent graduates:

Your original degree..is a legal document.
This is the response I received when contacting my alma mater. They only issue a copy/photocopy.

And I did hear of a case where a woman was denied a job offer because she claimed she graduated with her MA...when actually she was about to be given it in about 3 months. Of course, release of transcript only happens parallel with granting of degree, as we graduates know already.

The electronic revolution will never replace this..plus birth certificate, passport, etc.

Any interested employer can do a search and find references of my involvement via professional associations where I've been a member, and references to articles I've written for the Internet. If you can pick me out from other folks with same name.

[roadie gal]

My college and med school diplomas are both in the original cardboard tubes that they came in, at the back of my closet. I'm afraid that if I ever took them out they'd crumble.

About 20 years ago I had to send my original med school diploma to a state where I was applying for a license. I discovered that the diploma had been lost in one of my moves. The school replaced it, for a fee. But, since it had been about 10 years since I graduated, the school administrators had changed. So the new diploma has completely different signatures that the "original original". It also has a big red stamp on the bottom saying "this original replaces the original that was lost". It's not pretty, but it works.

[OakLeaf]

I had a solo practice for a while, so I framed my college and law school diplomas. They're in a box in my storage room now. I've never been asked for either of them. When I applied to law school they needed a transcript, not a diploma. I don't remember the exact procedures for applying for admission to the Bar (either state or federal courts), but I know a diploma wasn't involved, even though formal legal education is required in my state.

My high school diploma is in a manila folder with other keepsakes from my high school graduation, including the typed remarks by my favorite teacher (now deceased) who spoke for me at my graduation - which I value much more than the diploma itself. Although it makes me wistful that I never fulfilled the promise he saw in me.

[shootingstar]

I have no idea where my high school diploma is.
But I kept the original of my Gr. 1 report card..... because it does show my student adjustment/effort....I was in cultural shock..learning English starting in kindergarten even though I am born and raised in Canada.

Never been to Asia yet. So yea, my birth certifcate, passport...is of value for other things.

Well, geez, folks. Remember, President Barack Obama has a copy of birth certificate on the Internet for naysayers who don't believe he's American-born. And still, some folks don't believe it despite the evidence. : Pathetic.

So the highest ranking American must allow the law to be broken ....to reveal his birthplace/citizenship. Meanwhile this is against the law for hiring.

Ok. I'm getting off-topic.

[MartianDestiny]

Of interest to folks, particularily recent graduates:

Your original degree..is a legal document.
This is the response I received when contacting my alma mater. They only issue a copy/photocopy.

And I did hear of a case where a woman was denied a job offer because she claimed she graduated with her MA...when actually she was about to be given it in about 3 months. Of course, release of transcript only happens parallel with granting of degree, as we graduates know already.

The electronic revolution will never replace this..plus birth certificate, passport, etc.

Any interested employer can do a search and find references of my involvement via professional associations where I've been a member, and references to articles I've written for the Internet. If you can pick me out from other folks with same name.

Um, every college I have ever attended would HAPPILY send out official transcripts of work completed to date even before the degree was awarded. They now of course send out official, final, transcripts for me as a graduate.

A diploma may be a legal document like a birth certificate or a social security card, but I can get official, legal copies of both of those documents that work just as good as the originals if necessary (it's annoying and expensive, but it can be done.) I cannot imagine a diploma is any different. Crap happens, these documents get lost in fires, floods, etc, people aren't told they are SOL forever because of it either.

[sundial]

Of interest to folks, particularily recent graduates:

Your original degree..is a legal document.
This is the response I received when contacting my alma mater. They only issue a copy/photocopy.

So far my employers requested an official transcript that was mailed directly to them from the university. Gee, I don't even know where my diplomas are anyway. I guess I could paint them a diploma if need be.

[SlowButSteady]

I have some rather distinctive diplomas (one is real parchment, in Latin) so I had mine framed for a "glory wall" when I got my final degree. They're nice-looking; I had them matted in the various school colors.

A couple of years ago, I applied to a grad school and had to send transcripts. It was quite easily and inexpensively accomplished on line. Digging up some other stuff for the application process was not, though.

[shootingstar]

After 3 hrs. of focused diggin' around in a storage rm., I found them, the originals.

Sounds ridiculous, but feels like a small victory. Lookin' at these pieces of paper, worth several thousand $$$$$ of sweat and time...is like lookin' at...some photo albums that I came across also.

Have they been useful? Well, one of the degrees has been a minimum requirement for several jobs I've had. Stated in job ads/descriptions.

[redrhodie]

After 3 hrs. of focused diggin' around in a storage rm., I found them, the originals.

Sounds ridiculous, but feels like a small victory.

Yay! No, not ridiculous. Sounds like an accomplishment to me! I avoid my storage room at all costs!