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CREDENTIALS EVALUATION
In the process of applying for a job or admission to a university in the U.S., you will be asked for your educational credentials. Before you can be hired or admitted as a student, these credentials will have to be evaluated and certified.
When is Credentials Evaluation Required?
A credential evaluation is usually required for:
- Work visas (for example, H1-B Visa)
- College/university admission visas (for example, F-1 Visas)
- Professional licensing
(Each of these visas requires a different type of evaluation.)
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Evaluation of Credentials In the Past
In the past, U.S. employers compared the number of years that a foreign national had studied outside the U.S. to the level of education a student would have completed in the same number of years in the U.S. This was an imperfect approach. It was difficult to weigh factors such as the quality of education received or the cultural differences between schools in different countries.
Today, the evaluation of credentials is a more complicated process.
The Process Today
Since there is no government agency that oversees the evaluation of foreign credentials in the U.S., credential evaluation is not standardized. Many colleges and universities in the U.S. perform their own credential evaluations, and their criteria differ.
Although institutions which provide credentials evaluation may differ, there are some basic similarities in the process. You may be required to submit some or all of the following:
- A completed and signed application
- Photocopies of your official documents (transcripts, degrees, certificates, etc.) in the original language
- Official English translations of all documents
- Original documents
- A personal check, cashier's check, or money order
Once the above are received, the evaluation service will review your paperwork to make sure all required documents are included. If something is missing, they will contact you by mail or phone.
Completion Time
The time needed to complete a credentials evaluation varies. Some services will take as little as 10 days and some take up to a month. It is often possible to select "rush" options which will complete the process in 24 or 48 hours, for an additional fee.
Dealing with Evaluation Services
Below are some tips for dealing with professional credential evaluation services:
- Make sure that you choose a service that is accepted by the employer or university which has requested the evaluation.
- Find a credentials evaluator who specializes in the country you studied in.
- Keep notes of the names of the evaluators you spoke to, and the information they give you.
- A few days after you submit your application, call the service to confirm that it was received. Make sure that no further documentation or fees are required.
- Confirm that the advertised time for completion will be met in your case.
- After you receive your completed report, review it carefully to make sure all the information is correct. If it isn't, contact the service immediately so that corrections can be made.
Credential Evaluation Services
Several organizations which provide credential evaluation services are:
- ECE INTERNATIONAL
- WORLD EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
- EDUCATIONAL CREDENTIAL EVALUATORS
- EDUPASS
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