If you started your education outside of the U.S. or Canada, then a credential evaluation will help admissions officers understand your previous academic achievements. Getting your credentials evaluated is one of the first steps toward pursuing your educational and professional goals.

Below are the steps you need to take to successfully obtain and use credential evaluations to continue your education.

Become Familiar with the Credential Evaluation Process

There is no federal agency that governs the recognition of foreign credentials in the U.S. Each institution sets its own rules regarding recognition and acceptance of credentials earned abroad.

Colleges and universities have their own process for evaluating credentials. Some prefer to evaluate credentials themselves, while others refer prospective students to professional evaluation organizations.

First, you need to familiarize with the credential evaluation process. Then, you need to determine what type your school or institution requires.

Check with the Academic Institution for Their Requirements

Check with the institution you would like to attend to learn their process and requirements for credential evaluations. Generally, you can find information about credential evaluations on a school’s website. If the information is not available on the website, then contact the admissions office about their requirements.

While researching requirements, keep the following questions in mind:

• Does the university perform its own evaluations, or do they rely on external evaluation services?
• If they rely on external evaluation services, which service(s) do they accept?
• Do they offer a list of approved agencies?
• What type of evaluation report do you need?
• What is the deadline to submit your application to the academic institution, and does the credential evaluation need to be complete before this deadline?
• Is the credential evaluation used to award transfer credit or advanced standing?

Choose a Credential Evaluation Service

If the institution you are applying to does not perform its own evaluations, you have to choose an evaluation agency. There are unreliable or fraudulent evaluation services, so be sure to choose an evaluation service that your academic institution accepts. If they don’t recommend an agency, select one that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). NACES sets professional standards for all member evaluation agencies.

Check the credential evaluation fees and read the procedures and timelines before deciding on a credential evaluation agency. Most universities require a course-by-course evaluation, which is a detailed course analysis that includes transcript verification and evaluation of courses and grades. Be sure the evaluation agency offers the type of evaluation required by the school you want to attend.

Submit Your Application for Credential Evaluation

After you have chosen a credential evaluation agency, start the evaluation process as early as possible.

Make sure you know the following:

• What is the application deadline of the school to which you are applying?
• How long will it take to obtain your documents, transcripts, and translations?
• How long will it take for the evaluation agency to complete the evaluation (processing time) once your documents have been received?

Some agencies and schools allow you to track the process of your evaluation online. You can always contact the evaluation agency you chose regarding the status of your evaluation.

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