Study Overseas

Studying abroad can be one of the most exciting experiences of a person's academic career. However, preparing for life and study in a foreign country can some times be just as nerve-wracking as it is exhilarating. Students who plan to study abroad have a whirlwind of tasks to complete before packing their bags and boarding the plane. In addition to obtaining a visa, finalizing living arrangements, scheduling and surviving less than comfortable doctor visits, students are often expected to provide the United States school they will attend information about the academic work they have completed in the home country.

To begin the admissions process, many colleges and universities in the United States will ask foreign students to submit a document or record of the academic work they completed in their country. These academic documents or records are usually called "educational credentials". An educational credential can be anything from a diploma to a detailed grade report or transcript that shows work completed at a school in the home country.

Many U.S. colleges have staff to evaluate the credentials of international students. However, some may require foreign students to have their educational credentials evaluated by an independent organization that specializes in the research and knowledge of the systems of education in foreign countries. These organizations are called evaluation agencies.

Evaluation agencies use their expertise in international education to provide credential evaluations.

Credential evaluation is the practice of determining United States educational equivalents of foreign academic credentials. A credential evaluation will usually come in the form of a report that states the United States equivalence of foreign academic work. Evaluation agencies usually offer different types of credential evaluation reports. The two most common types of reports are: (1) A "general" report that states an overall U.S. equivalence of a foreign educational credential; (2) A "course-by-course" report that gives a more detailed equivalence of individual courses, credits, and grades that were part of a foreign degree or diploma program.

United States colleges and universities use the information in a credential evaluation report to make appropriate admissions decisions. For example, some institutions will want to determine if a student has the equivalent of a high school diploma. In other cases, a US college or university will review work completed in a foreign country to decide if they should grant advanced standing or transfer credit in an American degree program.

There are many evaluation agencies in the United States. International students should always check with the US institution they plan to attend to see if they recommend or require their international students to work with a specific evaluation agency. International students should determine if an evaluation agency is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES), the organization that maintains quality standards for credential evaluation agencies. In addition to NACES membership, students should investigate the following factors when choosing an agency to evaluate their credentials: Experience, expertise, reasonable fees, and responsive customer service.

Evaluation agencies may differ in terms of the type of credential evaluation reports offered, the fees for those reports and the philosophies that guide their credential evaluation practices. International students should research the history and experience of evaluation agencies by contacting the agency directly and visiting its website.

Getting an evaluation may seem like extra work, but a high-quality evaluation will increase the chances of receiving proper recognition and appropriate placement in the institution of your choice in the United States. Educational Credential Evaluators Inc. has expertise in the educational systems of all countries in the world. Our knowledge of foreign educational systems ensures accurate evaluations that help international students with the admissions process at United States colleges and universities.