Navigating the World Education Services (WES) Evaluation Process

For individuals who have completed their education outside of the United States and Canada, the World Education Services (WES) evaluation is often a crucial step in achieving their academic and professional goals in these countries. WES is a widely accepted and highly respected international credential evaluation service. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the WES evaluation process, including the types of evaluations offered, the necessary documents, the evaluation timeline, and other key considerations.

What is WES?

World Education Services (WES) is an organization devoted to the global mobility and success of immigrants, refugees, and international students. They work at the intersection of education, workforce development, advocacy, policy, research, and philanthropy. Many of the people who work at WES have lived the immigrant experience firsthand, which inspires and informs their work with clients and partners. As they work to bring about educational, economic, and social inclusion, they know that systemic change is often needed. "When the opportunity to participate in the Skilled Immigrant Integration Program (SIIP) came, we immediately decided to apply," WES has stated.

Types of WES Evaluations

WES offers different types of evaluations to meet various needs. However, the Course-by-Course WES Evaluation is generally the most comprehensive and widely recommended option.

Course-by-Course Evaluation

A Course-by-Course WES Evaluation provides a detailed analysis of your academic credentials. It describes each certificate, diploma, degree, or course that you have earned and states its academic equivalency in the United States. This type of evaluation also includes semester credit and grade equivalents for each course. Due to its comprehensive nature, the Course-by-Course evaluation is typically required for:

Admission to academic programs
Professional licensing
Employment purposes

Choosing the Course-By-Course WES Evaluation ensures consistency across international institutions, allowing all students to transfer in the same credit for the same course, thus treating all students equitably.

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When to Get Your Credentials Evaluated

It is imperative to start the WES evaluation process as soon as possible after completing coursework at an international institution.

Required Documents for WES Evaluation

The specific documents required for a WES evaluation vary based on the country where you completed your education. It is crucial to consult the WES website for a detailed list of requirements for your specific country.

Translation Requirements

If your documents are not in English, you must submit precise word-for-word English translations together with your foreign-language documents. WES does not provide translation services. However, translations prepared by the school or university that you attended or by authorized translators in your home country are acceptable.

The WES Evaluation Process: A Step-by-Step Guide

The WES evaluation process involves several key stages:

Application Submission: You must first submit an application to WES through their online portal.
Receipt of Application: As soon as an application is received at WES, the staff examines it to determine whether it is complete, includes all the required documents, and includes full payment.
Document Review and Verification: After all documents are received, the WES team reviews and verifies their authenticity. This is an essential step in their process.
Verification of Documents: Obtaining the appropriate documents is critical to the WES evaluation process. If WES determines that all the required documents are present, the evaluation will proceed. If any document and/or information is missing, WES immediately issues a “Document Request” asking for the missing documents and/or information. The file is placed on hold until all the required documents and/or information are received. If WES decides to verify the documents with the institutions that issued them, copies of the documents will be sent to the institutions with a request for verification. WES notifies applicants when their documents are sent for verification. All such files are placed on hold until WES receives a written response from the institution itself. There are no exceptions to this rule.
Evaluation: Handling this phase are WES' evaluation specialists, each of whom has country-specific knowledge.
Quality Control: The final phase involves quality control. Specialists review the draft of your evaluation report and make any necessary changes.
Evaluation Completion Once the documents are received, reviewed, and approved, WES can begin the evaluation.

Addressing Missing Documents

If evaluators notice that required documentation or information is missing, they will contact you and request the missing documents. When a file needs secondary verification or additional documents, it is placed on hold.

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Timeline for WES Evaluation

The standard processing time for a credential evaluation is seven (7) business days after receipt, review, and approval of all documents and payment in full to WES. However, please note that the stated processing times are approximate and may change based on volume, staffing, and other factors.

Cost of a WES Evaluation

The cost of a WES evaluation varies depending on the type of evaluation and other factors.

Transfer Credit and WES Evaluation

The College of Arts & Sciences will not award transfer credit from international institutions without a WES Evaluation.

Checking the Status of Your Evaluation

Need to check the status of your credential evaluation? Log in to your WES portal to see the latest update on your application and find additional customer support options. When your documents arrive at WES, they are carefully reviewed and scanned into their system.

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