With more than a million international students choosing it to be their destination to receive higher education, the United States has earned a spot as one of the most popular countries for education abroad. International students from across the globe are choosing to move to the US to continue their academic achievements. This is mainly because over half of the world's best universities are located in the US. These universities offer academic excellence in undergraduate, graduate, and even Ph.D.-level programs. Each university has something special to offer and the added benefit of flexibility in selecting your major.

However, before you get started, you will need to ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria for studying at these universities. You will also have to consider the academic requirements and documentation needed to apply to an American university. One of the most important documents you will need is a credential evaluation report.

Today, let's learn more about what a credential evaluation report is, who needs it, and where you should get it from.

What is Credential Evaluation?

Much like the name suggests, a credential evaluation is a thorough evaluation of your academic achievements. The credential evaluation process is carried out to verify the academic records from your home country and compare them to equivalents in the US. This is the best way to bring local and international students on the same ground to allow universities to carry out a fair selection process for their students.

Credential evaluation can be done for your degree or diploma as a whole to convert/translate it to its American equivalent. On the other hand, you can also opt for the course-by-course option to get individual courses converted to the American format.

Why Do You Need Credential Evaluations

Are you planning to apply to an American institute to complete your high school education or considering a US-based college or university for higher education? You will need to offer proof that your current academic credentials meet the application requirements. This is where credential evaluation services for high school and credential evaluation services for higher educationcome in to save the day!

Academic credential evaluation services are the best way to offer verification of your academic achievements and ensure that they are recognized for their value in any American institute. These services are especially important because different courses and fields have different names in international institutes. This can create an unnecessary barrier for non-US educated students who are interested in gaining higher education in America.

Through these services, American institutes are able to gain a better understanding of your academic background, and you are therefore best-positioned to receive equal opportunities as your local peers.

Where Should I Get Credential Evaluation Services From?

The United States of America allows numerous certified credential evaluation service providers to handle degree evaluation processes for non-US educated individuals. These service providers specialize in such evaluations and utilize high levels of impartial and ethical standards to offer fair evaluations of your international degrees or diplomas.

Although there is no established regulatory body to monitor credential evaluations in the US, most agencies that offer these services have affiliations with certified associations or boards to ensure reliability.

To choose the best credential evaluation services for your academic requirements, it is best to ensure that the service providers are members of NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services) or have been certified by AICE (Association of International Credential Evaluators). Moreover, they should be members of AACRAO and highly rated by the BBB. One such agency is ERES, with an A+ rating from the BBB and membership from most of the highly-recognized credential evaluation regulatory bodies.

Moreover, when you're looking for the right credential evaluator to pick, you should also consider their offerings and compare them to the requirements of the universities or colleges you plan to apply. Some US universities only accept evaluations from certain recognized associations. Your application advisor can help you carry out research and make sure you get your credential evaluations done to form a reputable and trustable agency like ERES.

When Should I Apply for Credential Evaluations?

While most international students prefer to get credential evaluations done right at the start of their application process, it isn't always necessary. The right time to apply for the credential evaluation process depends largely on the academic institute you're considering and its specific requirements.

Some colleges and universities will want to see your credential evaluation before finalizing your admission. This means you will have to send out the evaluation report before the application deadline. In other cases, you can delay the evaluation application until after you have sent out your application forms because some institutes ask for the report later on in the admission process.