Submitting Transcripts & Supporting Documents

Official transcripts must be submitted as PDF files when you complete your online application. If the transcript is in a sealed envelope, you will need to open the envelope to scan or photograph the transcript. Please include the front and back of every page. Do not include blank pages. BCIT reserves the right to request the original official transcripts at any time.

All transcripts must clearly state the institution’s name and address.

Note: If you are applying for transfer credit, you must also mail or drop off original copies of your official transcripts after you are accepted to the program.

What is an official transcript?

An official transcript:

• Bears the original signature, seal, or stamp of the issuing institution, or
• Is issued on institute security paper, or
• Bears an official notary stamp and/or seal.

What do I submit?

Submit transcripts to prove that you meet all academic entrance requirements for your program.

Transcripts may include one or more of the following:

Completed courses:

• Final high school report card
• Official high school transcript
• Official post-secondary transcript

Courses in progress:

• Second term or mid-year high school report card
• Midterm grade submission
• Final Grade 11 report card and confirmed Grade 12 timetable (current BC high school applicants only)

Please review additional information for BC, Canadian and international high school applicants

Note: Each transcript you submit should be in support of meeting one or more of the program’s entrance requirements. Do not submit transcripts that are not relevant to your application.

Transcripts from outside of Canada

If your transcript is in a language other than English, submit an official translation of the original official transcript from a certified translator. English translation costs are the applicant’s responsibility. BCIT reserves the right to request the original official transcripts at any time.

A comprehensive ICES evaluation may be required when applying for advanced placement and degree programs. Review your program’s web page for details.

Note: preparing your documents is an important step in the application process.

Key points:

• Submit one PDF file for each of your documents
• Scan front and back of each page of your official documents
• Maximum file size: 2 MB
  

Scanning print documents using a commercial photocopier or scanner

The easiest way to convert your documents to PDFs is to use a photocopier or commercial scanner. The BCIT Student Association’s Campus Print & Copy has photocopiers that can scan and email, or save to a USB key. BCIT’s Libraries also have copiers which can scan and save documents to your USB key.

If you cannot make it to a BCIT campus, any commercial copy centre should be able to help you scan and convert your documents to PDF files for a small fee.

Scanning print documents using a home scanner

You can also use a home scanner to copy your documents. Because the file upload size is limited to 2MB per file, you’ll need to adjust the scanner settings to create low resolution, black and white files. Once your document is scanned, you’ll need to save it as a PDF for submitting with your application. Refer to your specific scanner’s manual or online help for detailed instructions on how to adjust scanner settings.

• Remember to include all pages of the document in a single file.

Taking photos of your documents

You might be able to use a digital camera or cell phone camera, but it’s not as simple as just taking a photo and attaching it with your application. Taking the photo is the first step of several for preparing your documents.

1. The document needs to be legible, so good lighting and focus are essential.
2. Because the file upload size is limited to 2MB per file, once you’ve taken the photo, you’ll need to reduce the file size.
3. Multi-paged documents need to be submitted in a single file.
4. All documents need to be saved and submitted as PDF files.

• Try searching the web for “using your digital camera as a scanner” to find detailed instructions.

Converting Word documents

If you need to convert a Word document to a PDF file, refer to Microsoft’s online help, or search for one of the many online sources of information available for your specific software version.

Submitting fillable PDF documents

Some programs require you to download and complete fillable PDF forms, and submit them with your application.

For consistent results, we recommend the following steps:

1. Save the PDF to your desktop,
2. Open the PDF with Adobe Reader or Adobe Acrobat,
3. Complete all required fields,
4. Save,
5. Close the PDF then re-open to ensure the content you filled in has saved, and
6. Submit to BCIT.