The merits of a Master’s degree in USA are countless, from access to the most high-quality research facilities to the exciting career opportunities across diverse industries. A Master’s degree in the USA is an opportunity to showcase one’s academic and professional skills on a global scale, and this dream motivates students to work hard during their Bachelor’s degrees. However, the US grading system is different from the grading systems that other countries may use.
While other countries may have a 10-point grading scale, the American education system uses a 4-point Grade Point Average (GPA) scale to assess students’ academic achievements. So, what happens when you apply for a Master’s course in an American University with a qualification that doesn’t follow the same grading system? Well, that’s where a World Education Services or WES evaluation comes into the picture.
A WES evaluation is an essential part of the admission process for international students, as it measures the accuracy of one’s qualifications and compares them against the equivalent GPA. This article will explain how WES evaluations work and what the process entails.
Features of WES Evaluation in USA
The World Education Services has upheld globally acceptable and equitable standards for educational qualifications for around 50 years. As a member of institutions like the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) and the Alliance of Credential Evaluation Services of Canada (ACESC), its assessments are considered reliable across the USA. Let us go through some more interesting aspects about WES evaluations in USA.
- WES evaluations are respected by more than 2,500 Universities, licensing boards, and government organizations across USA and Canada
- WES is widely accepted by the top Universities and employers in USA for its stringent standards and thorough authentication process
- Alongside detailed reports that can be submitted to the concerned University, the WES also provides a digital badge to students that can instantly be shared on resumes or social media platforms like LinkedIn to show the validity of their credentials
WES evaluations can be done in one of two ways – the first being a document-by-document process, and the second being a course-by-course WES evaluation process. Next, let us learn more about the processing fees for a WES evaluation in USA.
Cost of WES Evaluation in USA
The cost of a WES evaluation depends on what type of evaluation is required. The document-by-document process checks the qualification by the standards of visa authorities in USA and Canada for entry requirements pertaining to employment and immigration.
On the other hand, the course-by-course evaluation gives a detailed analysis of all the subjects chosen by the student during their Bachelor’s degree. This is usually used by Universities in USA to determine the GPA equivalent of the student’s latest qualification. The aggregate costs for both are noted below.
- Cost of Document-by-Document WES Evaluation: Starts at $115
- Cost of Course-by-Course WES Evaluation: Starts at $182
The validity of the WES evaluation may differ based on the student’s country of origin. For Indian students, the validity lasts up to 5 years. To start the process, students must submit the documents mentioned in the next section.
Documents Required for a WES Evaluation in USA
It is important to submit the correct set of documents to ensure a smooth WES evaluation process. Depending on the type of evaluation students need, the exact requirements might change. However, students generally need the following documents:
- Final marksheets issued and attested by the student’s previous University
- Final or provisional degree certificates from the student’s University
- Translated versions of documents that are not in English, if applicable
Given that the documents are submitted correctly, the entire WES evaluation process may take around 7-10 days to complete. Most of the process can be tracked on the WES website, as we will learn in the next section.
Application Process for a WES Evaluation in USA
The application process for WES evaluation is largely done online to grant easy access for students applying from all over the world. The steps given below can guide students on how to get started.
- Step 1: Create an account on the WES website and fill in all the details required
- Step 2: Select the home country and the type of WE evaluation required
- Step 3: Complete the payment and additional service charges like ICAP processing fees, and receive the WES application number
- Step 4: Submit the documents required for WES evaluation and wait for them to be processed
Once all the documents are verified, students will receive their WES report digitally and physically, which they can then forward to their preferred Universities. They must remember to track the application frequently during verification for updates, additional document requirements, and tentative timelines for the evaluation to be completed.
Overall, learning what is WES evaluation streamlines the University admission process and helps students make a realistic timeline for all the moving parts. With the help of the top overseas education consultants, this process can get even more seamless and straightforward. So, what are you waiting for? Contact their expert teams to get a breakdown of everything you need to do for a Master’s degree in USA in future intakes!