A Few HSMP Questions

[nervousbytheday]

I have a few questions regarding the HSMP Application I already submitted. Any advice would be much appreciated.

1) I just realized that I mailed my application without a cover letter. When the guidance notes said "covering letter" I interpreted that as the application itself. Will I be rejected on this alone?

2) I received my Bachelor of General Studies from a top school in the United States. Do you think this will translate to a UK Bachelors? It is a liberal arts degree where you can decide what courses you take (i.e. I took business, psychology, etc. but did not concentrate in one area).

3) My birth certificate was re-issued since my old one was destroyed. It is an original and officical copy but it states that it was issued in 2003. Obviously, I was born well before that. Is it going to be a problem.

4) What has been your recent experience with processing times?

Thanks in advance for your help!!!!!!!!

[UKbound]

I doubt they would reject based on just leaving off a coverletter. The issue here is that it will make it more difficult for the person reviewing your application to understand the contents and the "story" of your application. The lack of a coverletter will leave the reviewer to deny for any detail that they don't understand. If everything is clear, then you'll probably be okay.

If your US degree comes from an accredited university or college, then it's fine. The caveat here is that I doubt it would be equivalent if your degree came from an online only university, for example, which was not accredited. You can also check NARIC if you're concerned, but I wouldn't worry about it.

It's fine if your birth certificate was reissued, as long as it's an official copy, and bears whatever seal is appropriate. For example, my birth certificate was reissued several years after my birth and has a raised seal indicating its originality. In this case it would have been good to include the reason for the reissue in your coverletter. The HO may have concerns that could have been explained in advance. If they question the authenticity, you may get denied for a reason that could have been avoided. If the version is official, again I probably wouldn't worry about it. Many people lose or misplace birth certificates and have to get them reissued.

You can find current processing times elsewhere on this website.

Good luck on your application!

[pantaiema]

1. U will not be rejected based on cover letter is nor provided. Cover letter is good if U want to explain summarize your case.

2. Nope. Most of state universities, top schools in the US are equivalent to UK degree.

3. Nope. They know that some people did not have birth certificate and they just ask one when they need it. Also your parent's might arranged one for U at the time U were born but might lost it. This is not under your control. However, the DOB on all your documents must collabrate to each other e.g. degree certificates (most of degree certificate issue before year 2000 have DOB on it), etc.

4. The HO publish the avarage time on their websites have alook on it. But this is only apply to straight forward case. It does not apply to the case where verification is needed.

I have a few questions regarding the HSMP Application I already submitted. Any advice would be much appreciated.

1) I just realized that I mailed my application without a cover letter. When the guidance notes said "covering letter" I interpreted that as the application itself. Will I be rejected on this alone?

2) I received my Bachelor of General Studies from a top school in the United States. Do you think this will translate to a UK Bachelors? It is a liberal arts degree where you can decide what courses you take (i.e. I took business, psychology, etc. but did not concentrate in one area).

3) My birth certificate was re-issued since my old one was destroyed. It is an original and officical copy but it states that it was issued in 2003. Obviously, I was born well before that. Is it going to be a problem.

4) What has been your recent experience with processing times?

Thanks in advance for your help!!!!!!!!