Do universities track down all prev. classes taken?

This question could be both in relation to Distance Learning as well as brick and mortar, concerning school registration process.

Do colleges and/or universities have the ability to "track down" every last class you've ever taken at any little rinky dink school (i.e. local community colleges here-and-there)?

Or does a student completely need to take it into their own hands to list all past studies (because universities do not have the time and resources to do it)?

All I want to know is, is there some central registration agency that says a particular person "took a few classes at a local comm. college some 7'odd years ago and then a few continuing ed. classes over in another place, but did not list that school on 'past attended'?" Do schools go the extra length to do that?

I personally do not think they do to any great length, because I took 2 classes when I was in the military at an offical university institution and received two "B" grades, but I just forgot all about them simply because they did not affect my current standing in any way so I couldn't use them anyways for my later studies.

P.S. The question is in no relation to financial aid (I didn't get any anyways), but simply to classes taken and forgotten (yes I'm getting old!). I just want to know if schools go the distance to track it all down, or do they completely leave it up to the student?

If there is some agency or process, or 'department,' (other than the credit-registration-bank I heard of recently) please let me know. Any addresses and/or names would be appreciated.

Thanks to everyone.

 

No, its up to the student to request transcripts from all past institutions, often to be sent sealed directly to the new school. There are 'credit banking' programs available, but the student still must request transcripts be sent there as well.

Barry Foster

 

Colleges and Universities do not 'track down' every course you have ever taken and there is no central registry. However, most colleges and universities have somewhere in the small print of their applications, student handbook, or university regulations that failure to acknowledge and submit transcripts of all previous course work is grounds for dismissal. (This is especially true at the undergraduate level.) It will probably never be discovered, but unless there is a very good reason (extremely low GPA, for example) it is in your best interest to submit all previous course work at time of admission.

The distinction between course work and financial aid is an important one. It may be against school policy not to submit all course work, but in some cases it can be illegal (fraud) to apply for financial aid at an institution when you have not disclosed all of the instances you have previously received financial aid.

Hworth

 

It's illegal for a school to release your transcript without your written permission. They can, however, release what's known as "directory information," such as whether or not you attended the school and what dates you were there. You do have the right, though, to require them to suppress that information.

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Michael Wilson