What is the importance of WES evaluation for degrees?

What is WES?

WES stands for World Education Services. It is a non-profit organisation that offers credential evaluation services for international students and immigrants who are planning to study or work in the U.S. and Canada. The organisation was established in 1974 and is based out of New York, U.S but it also has its operations in Toronto, Canada.

Why should you get your credentials evaluated by WES?

 A WES evaluation is your ticket to education and employment in countries like the U.S and Canada. If you completed your education outside of the U.S.or Canada, you must have your credentials evaluated by WES. Whether you want to pursue higher education, need professional licensing, or seek employment in these countries, the WES evaluation ensures that your international academic credentials are recognised.  

WES evaluation process

A WES evaluation is a comparison of your academic credentials to the norms in the U.S. or Canada. The evaluation report helps schools, colleges, employers, licensing boards, or immigration authorities better comprehend your educational background. It verifies and ensures that your credentials are legitimate.

The WES evaluation process involves four steps:

• Application submission: Submit your application on the WES website and get your reference number
• Document submission: Organise all the required documents and have your college send it to the WES along with the complete fee payment in a sealed envelope. The documents submitted by students, agents, or anybody else are not accepted by WES. Make certain that the only entity submitting the documents is your educational institution. The documents must be sent in the manner specified for that country (or territory) and credential. 
• Document verification: Once WES receives all the mandatory documents, it will begin the evaluation process  to ensure that they are authentic and issued by duly recognized institutions.. If any document is missing, WES immediately sends out a “Document Request” for the missing files. Until all necessary documents are received, your document verification will be put on hold. 
• Report generation: Analysts evaluate the documents and assess their equivalency in terms of Canadian or U.S. education. Once the evaluation is done they generate the evaluation report and deliver it to your recipients.

Documents required

Depending on your country of education, type of education, etc. the list of necessary documents varies in the US and Canada. You can view the list of required documents on the WES website. Some of the essential documents required include a:Provisional Degree Certificate and Annual Statement of Marks. 

If you possess a Master of Engineering, Master of Education, Master of Technology, or Master of Philosophy degree, you don’t need to send your undergraduate degree documents. If your master’s degree does not cover one of the aforementioned categories, you must also show proof of your bachelor’s degree.

The documents must have the date and signature or stamp of the college’s designated authentication officer.across the back flap of the envelope. WES will outright reject it if the envelope has been opened or if the stamp or signature on the back flap is not present. The Academic Records Request form, which you must include with your transcripts in a sealed envelope, must be signed by the college registrar as well.

Types of WES evaluation

Document-by-Document: This evaluation contains a summary of your academic background, including your name, your university’s name, the year you received your degree, and your major field of study. Additionally, it gives each credential’s equivalent in the US and Canada.

Course-by-Course: Along with the previously mentioned details, this evaluation also includes a list of all post-secondary disciplines and their equivalent grades in the US and Canada.

CPA Evaluation: The candidates taking the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) examinations will find this evaluation helpful.

WES evaluation fee

Document-by-document evaluation 

WES ICAP – $147

WES basic – $102

Course-by-course evaluation

WES ICAP – $208

WES basic – $163 

Note: Price does not include delivery or additional fees. If you choose WES basic for your evaluation, you can upgrade to WES ICAP for $45 if your evaluation is still in-progress.

(Source)

WES evaluation time

Depending on the kind of service the student has requested, WES typically completes the evaluation procedure in 7 business days. The evaluation of WES could take longer if more evidence, investigation, or correspondence is needed.

Is it necessary for institutions to be listed under WES?

It is not necessary for an institute to be listed under WES. However, WES will evaluate your credentials only if you received your degree from a duly accredited and recognised university.

For students who desire to study or work in the USA or Canada, the WES assessment is crucial. It provides the grade equivalents of your academic results in the USA and Canada. Evaluate your academic performance and consider your prospects of being accepted to the university of your choice.

How do students from Manipal University Jaipur and Manipal Academy of Higher Education apply for WES accreditation?

To get a WES accreditation for any degree, the university must be recognised by the local regulatory body. The on-campus and online degrees provided by both Manipal University Jaipur(MUJ) and Manipal Academy of Higher Education(MAHE) are UGC-entitled as they provide high quality education and adhere to the educational norms set by the regulatory body.

Students who wish to pursue higher education or employment in the US or Canada can apply for the WES accreditation through their respective universities upon successful completion of their degree. Their academic reports will be converted into transcripts and will be sent to the WES by their university. WES evaluates the transcripts and issues a report based on the candidate’s scores and other credentials.