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(Message started by: cool laser on Jul 4^th, 2007, 3:53pm)

Title: transcript for the patent bar exam
Post by cool laser on Jul 4^th, 2007, 3:53pm

Dear all,

I have a bachelor's degree in EE from a foreign country. But I have gone through graduate school in the US and obtained advanced degrees.

However, as I don't have any original transcript from my home country (never occured to me that I may still need them ) , what should I do to satisfy the USPTO requirements regarding BS transcript for taking the patent bar exam?

Thanks a lot in advance!

Title: Re: transcript for the patent bar exam
Post by still_studying on Jul 4^th, 2007, 4:05pm

Are you sure you need a transcript? Since your degree is "electrical engineering", you should qualify under Category A. But your university should be able to send you a transcript, even if it will cost a bit going through FedEx or some other international courier service.

I thought that it was only us poor Computer Science types who have to get transcripts evaluated -- but maybe a foreign-university degree is treated differently? (Not that I blame the USPTO, since some schools treated "CS" as a sort of technician's degree (learning to use tools like Macromedia Flash and a C++ compiler) rather than teaching techniques and theory.)

If you're not a permanent resident or citizen, you probably should worry more about the restrictions on foreign applicants. You'll only be granted limited recognition. And unless you've gained citizenship, you won't be able to leave the country and continue to practice in any case.

Title: Re: transcript for the patent bar exam
Post by MrSnuggles on Jul 5^th, 2007, 9:25am

Yes, you need an official original transcript (from part IV(A) of the General Requirements Bulletin).

You should contact your school and have them issue one. Make sure it's an official copy (e.g., watermarked or stamped). Sometimes schools will give unofficial copies to students and only send official copies directly to the intended recipient, or charge extra for official copies sent to students.

If you are a Category B, which you are probably not, then you would also have to include course descriptions.

Title: Re: transcript for the patent bar exam
Post by john D on Jul 5^th, 2007, 11:35am

Are transcripts (from foreign school) absolutely required, or is it in practise up to the individual USPTO employee to determine (based on available evidence) if applicant is eligible for the exam? I know the USPTO requirements document says "applicants must furnish an official course description" but I was hoping it is not absolutely required.

I don't have course transcripts available and I don't think it is possible to get them.

Does it make sense to submit other material (e.g. own US patents, scientific papers etc) ?
Do they care if you hold several US patents?

Title: Re: transcript for the patent bar exam
Post by katie on Jul 5^th, 2007, 11:57am

You only need and have to submit your undergraduate transcript to PTO for qualifying exam, period. No matter how many and how high your US degrees are. And it has to be translated into English if not originally in English.

Title: Re: transcript for the patent bar exam
Post by katie on Jul 5^th, 2007, 12:02pm

Title: Re: transcript for the patent bar exam
Post by john D on Jul 5^th, 2007, 12:32pm

sorry, I meant to say I have the foreign transcripts in english but I don't have course descriptions.

So my question is that do you really need to have foreign course descriptions (e.g. catB physics courses) or is it enough to have a foreign transcript and then some additional material, like US patents?

"Other factors" and "case-by-case basis" in xii sounds promising.

This is from USPTO exam requirements:
xii. Other Training: Other factors will also be considered on a case-by-case basis with respect to scientific and technical training. The OED will consider expertise in scientific and technical training which is equivalent to that of a Bachelor's degree in a subject listed in Category A.

Title: Re: transcript for the patent bar exam
Post by katie on Jul 5^th, 2007, 12:42pm

If you qualify in category A, you don't need course description in your transcript. Transcript only shows the course title and grades, no description as I understand.

Title: Re: transcript for the patent bar exam
Post by john D on Jul 5^th, 2007, 12:50pm

I have a foreign CS degree so I don't qualify in cat A. That's why course descriptions (or the lack of them) may be an issue. I just hope that transcripts are enough since I cannot get course descriptions. I'll try to include some additional stuff as "other factors to be considered".

Title: Re: transcript for the patent bar exam
Post by cool laser on Jul 5^th, 2007, 2:38pm

Hi Guys.

Thanks for the responses.

For me, my BS is from a non-English speaking country and it is not straigh-forward to get an original transcript. I deeply regret not keeping an extra transcript over the years.

Also, any requirements on the translation notarization?

Moreover, I have scientific publications on peer-reviewed journals, patent applications, and issued patents in the US, aren't they enough? ???

Title: Re: transcript for the patent bar exam
Post by Isaac on Jul 5^th, 2007, 3:08pm

There are two of you asking questions.

For the person with the EE degree, if the degree title is "Electrical Engineering" I'd suggest submitting an official transcript, a translated transcript, and forgetting about the course descriptions.

For the person with the foreign CS degree, you are almost certainly going to have to provide course descriptions.

I'd also suggest that things like articles, patents, etc. are very unlikely to be the least bit helpful despite what the words in the bulletin say. That's just my personal opinion based only on reading some of the OED decisions on people submitting proof of equivalents.

Title: Re: transcript for the patent bar exam
Post by john D on Jul 5^th, 2007, 3:16pm

There are people who are certified translators for a certain language combination. They can translate the documents (and stamp it with their official stamp or seal). I'm not sure if a public notary in the US is enough for this ("Certified English translations of foreign language documents").

For me the problem is the lack of course descriptions..
I might be able to get a statement from a professor or department head (with university stamp) with a short course description but that's about it. I think I try my luck without course descriptions, but with some additional stuff (patents, conference papers etc), in addition to transcripts.

Besides, I'm not sure if my "applied physics" is good enough to fulfill the "physics" requirement..