 |
|
Frequently Asked Questions
|
|
General Evaluation Questions
| What is a Credential or Transcript Evaluation? |
| • | Why do I need to have my international academic credentials evaluated?
Most employers are not familiar with international systems of education, so it will help to present them with an evaluation report that indicates the Canadian equivalency of your credentials. You may also need to use an evaluation report when applying to Canadian institutions of higher education, professional associations, apprenticeship training programs and to Canadian Visa Posts, for immigration or work permit purposes.
Because there are so many diploma mills and (institutions that are not accredited by proper authorities) around the world, it is important that you demonstrate that the academic documents that you have are authentic and that your credentials are from a recognized institution. |
| • | Will my international credentials be recognized in Canada?
Generally speaking, the answer is yes; however, you need to take the following steps to assure the recognition of your international academic credentials:
- Apply to a reputable evaluation service and receive an official evaluation report of your Canadian equivalency; and
- When applying for jobs, school admissions and accreditation with professional associations, share a copy of your evaluation report with them; you may also be able to negotiate advanced standing or transfer credits with Canadian academic institutions.
|
| • | Who recognizes WES evaluations?
WES evaluations are recognized and accepted by many employers, universities, colleges, professional associations, and government agencies throughout Canada and the United States. WES is the largest and among the oldest of the evaluation services in North America. Each year, WES prepares evaluations for approximately 55,000 individuals from all over the world. WES is a member of the Alliance of Credential Evaluations Services of Canada (www.canalliance.org), a member of Association of Registrars of Universities and Colleges of Canada (ARUCC),
and the Canadian Bureau of International Education (CBIE). For a selected list of professional association, academic institutions and employers using WES click here. |
| • | Can I contact WES to receive a list of recognized/accredited academic institutions in the world?
Normally, you need to submit an evaluation application before we can determine whether or not the academic institution you have attended is a recognized/accredited institution. WES cannot provide this information without conducting a formal evaluation. However, for a minimal fee, you can use WES Preliminary Online Equivalency to not only see the recognized institution in your home country, but also review your un-official Canadian academic equivalency. The fee for this service can be credited towards the cost of an official evaluation. |
| • | Does the Canadian government evaluate academic credentials?
The responsibility for education, and the evaluation of academic credential is the responsibility of provincial governments, not the federal government, in Canada. There is no federal government agency in Canada that evaluates academic credentials. WES is recognized by the Government of Ontario, but our reports are accepted across Canada. The Canadian government has a Foreign Credential Referral Office, which will refer people to recognized evaluation services such as WES. |
| Evaluation Types, Cost and Timing |
| • | When should I have my academic credentials evaluated?
You should have your academic credentials evaluated as early as possible so that you can receive due recognition for your international education. Ideally, you should begin the process in your home country, where you can easily arrange for WES to receive your documents from your institution. An evaluation report can help you to identify and apply for appropriate level of higher education e.g., Bachelor, Master or Ph.D. Likewise, if you are seeking employment, the evaluation will help you identify positions for which you have the necessary education. |
| • | What does a WES evaluation report contain?
A WES evaluation report provides details of the credential you have earned, as well as the Canadian equivalent of your credential. It also indicates how we have verified your documents. The evaluation is advisory and it is designed to help academic institutions, professional associations and employers in Canada understand the education you have received from outside Canada.
WES offers two types of evaluations:
- A Document-by-Document evaluation indicates how WES has received or authenticated the documents, and provides a Canadian equivalency summary and credential analysis such as year awarded, name of institution attended, and major field of study. This information is provided for each credential. Sample
- A Comprehensive Course-by-Course evaluation provides all of the information in a Document-by-Document evaluation, as well as listing all the courses taken, their Canadian credits and grade equivalents, and a grade point average (GPA). Sample
|
| • | Which evaluation report should I choose?
Normally, a Document-by-Document (Basic) evaluation report is sufficient for employment, immigration and entry to apprenticeship training programs. Universities, colleges and professional associations generally require the comprehensive Course-by-Course evaluation report. It is always a good idea to check with the university, college, or professional association to whom you are sending your report if they have specific requirements. Some professional associations require only a WES Document-by-Document (Basic) report. |
| • | How long does it take to receive a WES evaluation report?
The standard processing time is seven (7) business days after receipt, review and approval of all documents and payment in full. If additional research, correspondence or verification is required, the evaluation will take longer. We recommend that you start the process as early as possible and submit all documents as required to ensure the timely completion of your evaluation report. |
| • |
How long does WES keep files open?
Files that are incomplete are placed on hold and kept open until all the necessary documents, information or verification are received. |
| • | How can I get help in paying for my evaluation, and the cost of getting my documents to WES?
There are certain government funded programs delivered by immigrant serving agencies and Community Colleges which have funding to cover the cost of WES evaluation reports. You may want to contact COSTI organization to learn more about their services for immigrants and the extent of financial support they can offer to you. |
| Academic Documents or Transcripts and Degrees |
| • | Why do I need to arrange for WES to receive the documents directly from my institution?
Most institutions in North America and Europe require that academic documents be sent directly from the issuing institutions in order to ensure their authenticity. Receiving documents directly from the institutions is one of the best ways of assuring the authenticity of the documents. Because WES wants to ensure that you receive recognition for your international academic credentials, we use the same documentation standards as these institutions. This means that your evaluation report from WES will be much more widely accepted than reports issued by organizations that do not require this type of documentation.
Once WES has received your documents directly from your institution, we keep electronic copies of your documents permanently in our database. If you request, we can share images/copies of your verified authentic documents with any institution in Canada. This means that you may not have to arrange for another set of your documents to come directly from your institution. |
| • | Do I need to send original or certified copies of my documents?
In most instances, WES requires that you have official documents sent directly from your institution in an unopened envelope with the appropriate seals and stamps of your institution. Please do not send original copies of your documents unless specifically requested by WES. WES does not accept notarized/certified copies of your documents. |
| • | Do I contact my educational institution to arrange the documents to be sent directly to WES? Or will WES do that on my behalf?
Providing complete and accurate documentation for all of your educational credentials is your responsibility. WES offices are not involved in requesting documents from the institutions. However, you can find information on WES website, under “Required Documents”, including the International Transcript Request Form, to help you get the documents from your institution. |
| • | What do I do first, submit an application to WES or arrange for the documents to be sent directly from my institution?
It is always recommended that you submit your WES application first so that when we receive your documents, we can match your documents with your file and WES Reference Number.
If you wish to have a preview of the equivalency of your documents, you can use the Preliminary On-Line Equivalency. There is a $25 cost for this service, but it is credited to the cost of an official evaluation report. |
| • | What if my documents are not in English or French?
If your documents are not in English or French, you must submit precise word-for-word English or French translations. COSTI Languages Bureau and WES have a combined on-line application for their translation and credential evaluation services that will save you time and money. (www.wes.org/ca/apply/wescosti.asp). Translations prepared by the school or university that you attended or by authorized translators in your home country are acceptable. You can start by submitting the WES application form with the translations of your documents while you arrange your transcripts to come directly from your institution. |
| • | How can I know whether WES has evaluated documents from my country or from the particular institution that I attended?
WES has been evaluating academic credentials since 1974 and has accumulated information on thousands of institutions and credentials from virtually all the countries in the world. It is also our responsibility to conduct research and obtain the necessary information when a new credential is submitted for evaluation. If you have a legitimate credential issued by a recognized institution, you can be certain that WES can evaluate it. |
| • | I have a university degree from my country, should I still submit my secondary school diploma?
Generally speaking, if you have post secondary education e.g., Bachelor’s and Master’s, there may be no need to evaluate your high school diploma. On the other hand, some employers in Canada only require high school diploma as an employment condition. |
|
WES ICAP (Transcript and Evaluation) General Questions
| • |
What is WES ICAP?
WES ICAP (International Credential Advantage Package) is a service that allows applicants to store their verified academic transcripts with WES and have them delivered to academic institutions and professional licensing bodies together with their credential evaluation reports. Once stored with WES, verified transcripts can be delivered to any academic institution and professional licensing body at any time, now or in the future. Transcripts are
sent to academic institutions and professional licensing bodies only. |
| • |
What is the advantage of WES ICAP?
WES ICAP allows individuals educated abroad to have their credentials evaluated by WES and to have their verified transcripts stored at WES ready to be delivered to any academic institution and professional licensing body at any time. Since you have to submit official academic transcripts to WES, you can save time and money by using those same transcripts when you apply to different institutions. With WES ICAP you have the advantage of having your verified transcripts stored at WES ready to be delivered quickly and efficiently to any institution at any time. |
| • | What is the difference between the WES ICAP service and the WES Basic evaluation?
When you order the WES ICAP, academic institutions and professional licensing bodies receive a package that contains your evaluation report together with copies of the academic transcripts that are verified and stored at WES. The WES Basic service consists of the evaluation report only and does not include transcripts. |
| • | How long does WES store verified academic transcripts?
Verified transcripts are stored indefinitely. |
| • | Why doesn't WES release my transcripts to me?
Official and verified academic records are usually transmitted from institution to institution only. In keeping with that practice, WES releases verified transcripts only to recognized academic institutions or licensing bodies, but not to individual applicants. If you want to obtain transcripts for your own files, you must contact the institution that you attended and request a copy from them. |
| • | Can I obtain a copy of the transcript that I have stored at WES?
No, WES does not release transcripts in any form to individual applicants. If you need a copy, please contact the institution that you attended. If you want to have your transcript sent to an academic institution or licensing body, please visit our website and place an order. |
| • | What if the purpose of the evaluation is not to continue my education, should I still order the WES ICAP?
We would advise you to order the WES ICAP because it means that your verified transcripts will be stored at WES. If you want to continue your education in the future, your evaluation and verified transcripts will be ready and waiting to be sent to any academic institution or professional licensing body. |
| • | What will I receive as part of the WES ICAP?
You will receive your evaluation report but not copies of your verified transcripts because WES releases transcripts only to academic institutions and professional licensing bodies. |
| • | If I don’t order a WES ICAP when I first apply for an evaluation, can I do it later?
Yes, you can always upgrade to the WES ICAP if your transcripts were received by WES after January 1, 2007. If your evaluation was completed, the fee to retrieve your transcripts, upgrade to WES ICAP and have your transcripts stored is $80.00. If the evaluation has not been completed, the upgrade fee is only $35.00. |
| • | I have a completed WES evaluation, can I still order the WES ICAP?
If WES received your transcripts after January 1, 2007, you may order an upgrade to WES ICAP. Click here.
If WES received your transcripts before January 1, 2007, you should contact WES to check if you are eligible for the WES ICAP. |
| • | How do I know if the institution where I want to apply accepts the WES ICAP?
WES will send the ICAP package to any institution. However, if you have any questions about the type of evaluation that you should order, or whether they will accept the WES ICAP package, please contact the institution directly. |
| • | I ordered a WES ICAP, but why my transcripts were not included when I received my evaluation?
Individual applicants receive only their evaluation report. WES sends transcripts to academic institutions and professional licensing bodies only. |
| • | How long does it take for WES to deliver the WES ICAP to an academic institution?
The standard processing time is seven (7) business days after receipt, review and approval of all documents and payment in full, or sooner if rush service was ordered. |
|
|
Changes: Addresses, Names and More Reports
| • | How do I know what is happening with my file, and can I change information on my file?
If you have provided WES a valid email address, after submitting online application, you will receive an automatic confirmation and a reference number via email. To receive the most up-to-date information about your file, you can visit Check Status/Your Account. To access your file, you will need to enter your date of birth in the format of mm/dd/yyyy and your WES reference number. You will also receive notifications from WES via mail and/or email if we require additional documents.
Also, by using the Check Status/Your Account, you can change: your mailing address, upgrade your application order, add report recipients such as an academic institution, a professional licensing body, or an employer, upgrade the delivery options, request additional copies of your reports (in Sealed Envelops or as Fax copies), make payment for your account balance, and review the documents required from you. |
| • | How can I obtain additional reports of an evaluation that has already been completed?
You can order additional evaluation reports at any time by clicking here. |
| • | My address has changed; what should I do?
If your mailing address has changed before your evaluation is completed, please visit Check File Status and make appropriate changes to your file. Alternatively, you may contact WES immediately in writing with your updated information: fax to 416-972-9004 or email to contactca@wes.org. |
| • | What do I do if I have questions or disagree with aspects of my evaluation report?
If you have any questions or disagree with any aspects of your evaluation report, please put them in writing and fax 416-972-9004 or email to contactca@wes.org, to the attention of WES Evaluation Department. You will receive a written reply from WES for your concerns. |
| • | If I have a WES-USA evaluation report, do I still need a Canadian evaluation report or equivalency from WES-Canada?
In most cases, yes. The Canadian education system has its own characteristics and, when you are applying for employment, higher education and licensing, most employers, post-secondary institutions and professional licensing associations in Canada will require or prefer a Canadian equivalency. It is always a good idea to check with the institution, licensing association or employer directly to confirm their requirements. You will need to submit a new WES Canada application and full payment in order to receive a Canadian evaluation report. The current documentation standards and requirements found on our web site at www.wes.org/ca/required will apply to any new evaluation being performed. |
| • | What happens if by mistake I have submitted my Canadian equivalency Application to WES-USA office?
If you were intending to get Canadian equivalency and incorrectly have submitted an Online Application on WES-USA website or if you have mailed your hard copy application form to WES-USA offices, you need to write a very brief letter alerting the WES Canada office about the corrections that need to be made. Please fax your letter as soon as possible to 416-972-9004 or send an email to contactca@wes.org. |
| • | I have no access to a computer to submit an online application or print a PDF version of the WES application form. What should I do?
You can request a hard copy of the WES application form by phone, fax, mail, or email. |
|
|
|
