Backlog: Definition, Impact, and Acceptance in US Universities - Landmark

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Backlog Definition Impact and Acceptance among US Universities

Backlog: Definition, Impact and Acceptance among US Universities

Backlog: Definition, Impact and Acceptance among US Universities

22 July 2024
Backlog: Definition, Impact and Acceptance among US Universities
22 July 2024

Many students often believe that having a backlog can impact their admission chances, particularly if they are studying in the USA. Although it is true that backlogs can cause difficulties, it doesn’t mean that it can threat your career. Thanks to a range of US universities accepting the students with backlogs. 

In this blog, we’ll guide you through a list of universities that accept backlogs in the USA, offering essential information and tips to strengthen your application and help you achieve your dream of studying in the USA.

(Also Read: Top Affordable Universities in the USA)

What is a Backlog?

Before we discuss universities in the USA that accept backlogs, let’s understand what a backlog is. A backlog occurs when you don’t pass an exam on the first attempt. It’s important to retake the exam to get your degree or certificate. If you were absent for the exam, it will be recorded as absenteeism, not a backlog. If you missed the exam due to illness, an accident, or another valid reason, check with your institution’s exam department to see if it has been marked as “Absent” or a “Backlog.”

Types of Backlogs

  1. Arrears: Arrears refer to courses or subjects that a student must retake because they did not achieve a passing grade initially. This section provides examples of situations that may lead to arrears.
  2. Dropped Courses: Dropped courses are those that students intentionally stop taking due to academic or personal reasons. It explains how dropping courses can impact transcripts and future applications.
  3. Unfinished Courses: This backlog category includes courses that students have not completed within the specified timeframe. It explores the reasons behind incomplete courses and their implications.

Factors Affecting Acceptance of Backlogs 

Whether your backlog will be accepted or not depends on several factors that are given below. 

Overall GPA / CGPA

Academic GPA and/or CGPA rank among the most significant factors taken into account throughout the admissions process. When you are applying for admission and there are backlogs, this becomes even more crucial. Your prospects of getting admitted can be quite slim if you have backlogs and a very low GPA. 

But, the concerned university can grant you admission and disregard your prior backlogs if you can get a strong GPA after clearing your backlog. 

They will proceed as usual via the admissions process. It goes without saying that you must have the necessary GPA or CGPA to get admitted to any US university. 

Courses / Backlog Subject 

Your enrolment would not be in jeopardy if the subject or course you have a backlog in is unrelated to the one you intend to take. However, the likelihood of rejection will rise if the topics make up a significant portion of the curriculum.

Repeated Backlogs

The term “repeated backlogs” describes how long or how many tries it takes to remove the backlogs. Time is an important factor. Your odds of being denied increase with the amount of times you attempt to submit a single backlog. In a similar vein, your application has a good likelihood of getting approved if you have successfully cleared your backlog in a limited number of attempts. 

Status of the Backlog


If there are active backlogs at most US universities, admission is not accepted. It is required of all students to present a Backlog Certificate, which includes the number of attempts to clear the backlog as well as the active and inactive lists. 

Do backlogs Affect US Visa applications?


Backlogs have nothing to do on an applicant’s ability to obtain a US visa. After receiving an admission letter, international students are issued the F-1 visa, which enables them to immigrate for study purposes based on their sincerity. International applicants can review the list of universities with backlogs of admission provided above. 

What Is A Backlog Certificate?

Keep in mind that you might be asked by universities to show or provide them with a backlog certificate. This certificate usually mentions that you don’t have any backlogs. Therefore, make sure to get a Zero Backlog Certificate for Clearance from your university or college. 

Your institution will issue you with a backlog certificate, which records all the information about your backlogs, including the number of reattempts, active backlogs, and inactive backlogs. In the very unlikely event that you do not have any backlogs, your college or institute will not issue you a certificate.

List of Universities Accepting Backlogs In USA

Here is a list of US universities that are taking backlogs. After taking into account the aforementioned variables, the list is based on the quantity of backlogs they take. It has been split up into varying numbers of subtypes.

US Universities Accepting 1 to 5 Backlogs

If you have up to 5 backlogs, you still have opportunities to study in the USA. Here are some universities that accept students with up to 5 backlogs:

Gannon University, Pennsylvania

Clarkson University, New York

Wichita State University, Kansas

Wright State University, Ohio

Kent State University, Ohio

Marist College, New York

US Universities Accepting 5 to 10 Backlogs

For students with 5 to 10 backlogs, several universities are willing to consider your application. Here are some options:

University of South Dakota, Vermillion

Missouri State University, Springfield

Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT), Chicago

California State University, San Bernardino

Pace University, New York

Clark University, Massachusetts

New York Institute of Technology (NYIT), Old Westbury

US Universities Accepting 10 to 15 Backlogs

While there are fewer options for students with 10 to 15 backlogs, some universities are still flexible enough to offer admission. These include:

Old Dominion University, Virginia

Pittsburg State University, Kansas

Rowan University, New Jersey

Golden Gate University, California

US Universities Accepting 15+ Backlogs

15 is typically the maximum number of backlogs accepted by US universities. Exceeding this number significantly reduces your chances of admission. Maintaining a good CGPA and clearing as many backlogs as possible is crucial.

The Bottom Line:

We hope that this article has cleared up any questions you may have had about backlogs in US institutions and helped you get ready for admission to US universities. 

Contact our study abroad experts at Landmark Immigration if you have any more questions concerning the application procedure or which university to submit an application to. Make an appointment right away! 

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