“Can I use my Indian Degree to get admission to the United States?”
We often hear this question and the answer is “Yes”.
Well, the Global Credential Evaluation Services Market Size is projected to reach a CAGR of 9.1% during 2024-2032.
So, by having your Indian degree evaluated, you can take a significant leap towards your dreams.
Whether you’re a student or an immigrant or seeking employment after graduation, here’s how you can navigate your future from India to the USA through credential evaluation services.
Let’s explore this in detail-:
What is Credential Evaluation and Why is it Important?
Credential Evaluation is a type of service usually conducted by 3rd party organizations that are proficient and specialized in transcript evaluation.
This evaluation compares the professional & academic qualifications, degrees, and certificates that you’ve earned in one country to that standard in another.
The process of credential evaluation is imperative for international students and professionals who are moving abroad due to certain reasons-:
Academic Admission
US colleges and universities must have an in-depth understanding of your professional and academic background to determine your eligibility for admissions.
Employment Opportunities
Employers in the US need to have a clear understanding of overall background and that increases the likelihood of securing job opportunities that align perfectly with your expertise and proficiency.
Immigration Process Support
Help individuals provide evidence of their educational qualifications while seeking immigration process support.
How Can I Get My Indian Degree Evaluated in the USA?
To get your Indian Degree evaluated in the US, you must –
- Research and choose the most accredited agencies
- Gather the right and official documents like degree certifications, transcripts, or a course description
- Ensure that all certificates and documents have been translated by a certified translator.
- Fill out the application form, and attach the documents in the mail according to the respective guidelines
- Pay the fees and track the status of your application online.
How Do US Universities Evaluate My 3-Year Indian Bachelor's Degree?
The process of evaluating a 3-year Indian Bachelor’s Degree varies among different US universities. However, the Indian education system famously has a 10+2+3 scheme, meaning 10 years of first-stage schooling (take a secondary school certificate exam)
+ 2 years of second-stage schooling (high school certificate exam)
+ 3 years of bachelor’s degree study.
Typically, evaluation is often done course by course or document-by-document, having its own set of policies and criteria.
What Are The Stages Of High School In The US?
Types of Credential Evaluations
Here are the types of credential evaluation to consider-:
| Criteria | Course-by-Course Evaluation | Document-by-Document Evaluation |
|---|---|---|
| Offers | Provides a more detailed analysis of an applicant’s educational credentials | Provides a summary of the applicant’s educational background |
| Purpose | Academic admissions, course transfer, advanced standing | Employment, immigration, professional licensure |
| Content Analyzed | Individual courses, grades, credits | Overall degree and educational level |
| Report Includes | US equivalent of each course, GPA calculation | US equivalent of the overall degree, institutional accreditation |
| Typical Requirements | Transcripts, syllabus/course descriptions, degree certificates | Transcripts, degree certificates |
| Processing Time | Longer due to detailed analysis | Shorter due to less detailed analysis |
| Cost | Quite higher | Comparatively Lower |
| Ideal for | Graduate institution applications, transfer requests, and licensing boards (except for CPA) | USA immigration, first-year admissions, and job applications |
5 Steps to Get Your Indian Degree Evaluated
Here’s the step-by-step guidance for getting your Indian Degree evaluated -:
1. Determine the Purpose
Determine the purpose of getting your credentials evaluated.
Whether it’s for employment, getting a professional license, further education, or immigration. Identifying the purpose will influence the type of evaluation you need.
2. Choose a Recognized Evaluation Company
Choose a recognized and trusted evaluation agency like ERES.
Ensure that the agency is accredited by a recognized body, such as NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services) or AICE (Association of International Credential Evaluators). Additionally –
- Compare the fees charged by different agencies. Get a complete breakdown of costs & what’s included
- Evaluate turnaround time and clarify if there’s any additional fee for an even quicker evaluation
- Check online reviews, read testimonials, and read the case studies from their website
- Book an appointment with HR to ask for preferred evaluation services
- Don’t forget to consider their specialization and proven experience with an Indian degree
3. Gather Required Documents
Collect all the necessary documents for evaluation purposes. This typically includes -:
- Transcripts
- Syllabus
- Degree Certificates
- Marksheets
- Diplomas
- Any other academic records
Tips to Ensure Your Documents Are in Correct Place
- Translation
Make sure you’ve collected all the original copies of the documents. Also, note that all your documents must be translated into the English language by certified translators without fail.
- Notarization
Verify your document’s authenticity through notarization. Ensure it has been performed by a government-licensed Notary Public.
Checklist of Documents
Ask your respective evaluation agency and prepare a checklist of documents so you don’t miss any before submission.
4. Submit Your Application
Confirmation: Once your application is submitted, you will receive a confirmation email with details on tracking your application status.
Incorrect Documents: Double-check that you are submitting the correct documents in the required format.
Payment Issues: Ensure your payment goes through and keep a receipt or confirmation of the payment.
Late Submission: Submit your documents promptly to avoid delays, especially if you have deadlines for applications or visa processes.
Once you’re ready with your documents, complete the application process for credential evaluation. Most of the agencies have an online submission system.
So, register on the evaluation service’s website, create an account, and fill out the form entering your personal information, educational background, and the type of evaluation you need.
Pay the evaluation fees and proceed for further document verification, if your evaluation agency demands.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ❌Incomplete Application -> ✅Ensure all documents are filled correctly and completely
- ❌Incorrected Document -> ✅Double check all documents before you hit the submit button
- ❌Payment Error -> ✅Maintain a receipt or voucher to confirm the payment
- ❌Late Submission -> Collect, arrange, and submit all necessary documents promptly without fail
5. Follow Up and Await Results
Typically, it takes 2 to 4 weeks to get your Indian Degree evaluated. However, it varies from agency to agency and the specific requirements.
However, certain services demand an additional fee to speed up the time to a few days.
You can always track the status of your application just by logging in. Ask your agency to provide you with that link.
The Final Words
Navigating through the credential evaluation process from India to the US can be challenging and complex.
However, with a trusted agency and the right approach, you can streamline the process and make your dreams come true.
Whether you’re aiming for higher education or seeking a job opportunity, confidently assemble your documents and a well-done credential evaluation will pave the way for your journey.
If you’re stuck in between the process or looking for a trusted partner, ERES is here to help!
Book an appointment and let our experts handle the hassle. Call us now!
