Are you one of those who earned a degree beyond the United States and are now eyeing to apply for graduate school, a professional license, or employment in the US? Then, there’s a high chance that you are in need of a credential evaluation. Additionally, you may think, ‘Can I use an online service to evaluate my credentials?’
The answer is yes. However, not all online services serve the same and selecting the wrong one could impose delay on your applications and could lead to rejection of evaluations.
Key Takeaway
Choosing an accreditation for evaluating your credentials is one of the most important factors for your international degree in the USA. Although many services claim to offer credential evaluations services, only National Association of Credential Evaluation Services-accredited services meet the professional standards set by US institutions. An unaccredited agency may seem affordable but it could be worthless if your credentials are rejected by your employer or institution.
This article guides you to understand how online credentials work, what to look for in a degree evaluation agency to be deemed as trusted, and what risks to avoid on selecting a credential service.
What Is Online Credential Evaluation?
Online credential evaluation takes place in the process of submitting your international academic documents in a digital way to an evaluation agency. The agency works on its services by comparing your qualifications to the U.S. educational standards and producing a report of its equivalence. Most of the time, these evaluations are required by universities, licensing boards, and employers to determine the equivalency of foreign degrees.
Instead of face-to-face service, the online method has made the credential evaluation convenient and more accessible. Mailing the physical documents has been replaced by uploading the transcripts and diplomas to a secure portal. What’s more advantageous is that the evaluation status can be tracked in real time.
To ensure your evaluation is accepted, you need to work with a trusted degree evaluation agency that is recognized by the organizations or institutions you’re applying to.
What Makes an Evaluation Service Trustworthy?
Since ensuring that your target field accepts your evaluation is one of your aims, the most important factor to consider is the legitimacy of the agency’s membership is recognized by the accrediting body.
In the United States, there are two primary organizations that accredit credential evaluation agencies. These are NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services) and AIRC (Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc.), which adhere to strict ethical guidelines and professional standards.
So, before selecting an online service, make sure to verify it that the agency is a member of NACES or AIRC. This guarantees that your evaluation will be recognized by most universities, licensing boards, and employers.
Furthermore, there are more red flags to watch for. For instance, be cautious of services that promise unrealistically fast turnaround times yet lack transparency about their accreditation status.
These services may have minimal legitimate reviews and offer vague pricing structures that may seem affordable, but doesn’t provide secure document submission processes. If a service seems too good to be true, it’s best to look elsewhere. Understanding when foreign students need a credential evaluation can also help you determine the right timing and type of service for your needs.
How Does the Online Evaluation Process Work?
Most of the reputable online credential evaluation services follow a similar process. Here’s the steps they make you follow:
First, you’ll start by registering on the agency’s website and choosing the type of evaluation you need. Evaluation types could include document-by-document or course-by-course evaluations. Second, you’ll send the scanned copies of your transcripts, diplomas, and other relevant documents online through their secured portal. It is also good to note that some agencies may require official documents to be sent directly from your institution.
Third, the evaluation agency then verifies the authenticity of your documents. They do this by contacting your issuing institutions directly. Evaluators who are professionally trained analyze your credentials according to U.S. educational standards.
After this, they prepare a detailed report that outlines the equivalency of your degree, coursework, and grades. Once complete, your evaluation report is delivered electronically or through the mail, addressed to you.
Key Factors to Consider When Choosing an Online Service
Here are several important factors to consider as you choose a legitimate evaluation service:
- Accreditation and Recognition: Always verify that the agency is a member of NACES or AIRC.
- Turnaround Time: Be realistic with the timespan, as some may promise instant results yet lack verification. A thorough evaluation typically takes one to three weeks.
- Transparency and Pricing: Reputable agencies provide clear pricing information upfront, with no hidden fees. Carefully compare the costs, but remember that the cheapest option mostly compromises quality or acceptance.
- Customer Support: You may have questions during the process, so look for agencies that offer responsive customer service through multiple channels.
- Security: Your academic documents clearly contain personal information. Ensure the service uses encrypted file transfers and secure data storage to protect your personal data.
Making an Informed Decision
You can definitely use online services to evaluate your international transcripts. Nevertheless, remember to choose a service that is properly accredited, transparent, and recognized by the institutions or organizations you’re applying to.
Whether you’re pursuing higher education, professional certification, or employment opportunities in the United States, a properly conducted online credential evaluation is an essential step toward achieving your goals.
Take the time to research your options, prepare your documents carefully, and start the process early to avoid unnecessary stress during your application journey!
