A student transferring from a US university to a Canadian university (with 24 of 31 credits accepted toward a computer science major) was refused, and GCMS notes showed why: the visa officer thought the applicant was changing programs. In the US system, all admitted students at their institution start as 'Bachelor of Arts' and the credential name changes to 'Bachelor of Science' after a major is declared - the applicant had not declared one because they were transferring.
What the thread teaches:
- Officers read documents literally. The transcript said 'Bachelor of Arts'; the Canadian admission was for computer science. Without an explanation, the officer concluded arts-to-science program change plus incomplete prior studies - two red flags from one naming convention.
- The applicant explained the transfer but not the naming. They wrote about why they were transferring, but skipped the BA-to-BS labeling quirk because 'technically it was the same program.' That omission was the refusal. Anything a document appears to say against you must be explicitly addressed, even if you consider it a technicality.
- Two semesters completed reads as 'did not complete studies' unless you frame the transfer as planned continuation with credits accepted. Highlighting the 24/31 transferred credits and the identical intended major would have connected the dots.
- Path forward per the thread: with the misunderstanding identified in GCMS, reapply (or seek reconsideration/appeal) with a letter of explanation and supporting documentation from both institutions confirming the program continuity.