Transcript Evaluation: A Comprehensive Guide

Overview:
Transcript evaluation is an essential process for international students applying to study in the United States. This process involves assessing the equivalence of foreign academic transcripts to ensure they meet the standards of U.S. institutions. Many universities and colleges require this evaluation to determine if your foreign credentials align with their academic requirements.

When is Transcript Evaluation Required?

• Transcript evaluations are not required by all universities. It is mostly necessary for Master's programs, but not every university will ask for it.

• For Bachelor’s programs, many institutions may not require transcript evaluation. However, if you choose a university that does, the requirement will be mentioned in their application process.

At Kompass Education & Visa Consultancy, we will guide you through whether transcript evaluation is necessary based on the universities you're applying to. If you wish to avoid transcript evaluation, you can inform us, and we will help you choose universities where it is not required.

Why Transcript Evaluation Might Not Be Required:

• Bangladeshi Transcripts: Most academic transcripts from Bangladesh are in English. Therefore, translation is generally not required for your application.

• Transcript evaluation, when required, is mainly used to convert CGPA from your home country’s grading scale to the U.S. grading system, which might have a different scale (e.g., a 4.0 scale in the U.S.).

Types of Transcript Evaluations:

1. Course-by-Course Evaluation:

   • This type of evaluation provides a detailed comparison of each course listed in your transcript, including the course name, grades, and credits, compared to the U.S. system.

2. Document-by-Document Evaluation:

   • This type focuses on evaluating the overall equivalence of your degree or diploma to a U.S. educational standard without going into detail about individual courses.

Steps Involved in Transcript Evaluation:

1. Choose a Credential Evaluation Service:

   • There are several agencies authorized to evaluate international transcripts. Kompass Education & Visa Consultancy is an authorized agent for IEE (International Education Evaluators), SpanTran, and ECE (Educational Credential Evaluators).

   • We are not affiliated with WES (World Education Services), but we can still assist you in the WES evaluation process if needed.

2. Submit Your Academic Documents:

   • Provide your original transcripts and, if necessary, certified translations if the documents are in a foreign language.

   • The agencies may also require additional documents, such as degree certificates or syllabi.

3. Review and Payment:

   • After submitting your documents, review the evaluation report carefully.

   • You will typically be asked to pay for the evaluation, with fees varying depending on the type of service requested (e.g., basic vs. detailed evaluations). The total cost for transcript evaluation can range from 25,000 BDT and above, including additional costs like DHL fees, transcript handling costs, and evaluation fees.

4. Receive the Evaluation Report:

   • After processing, you will receive the evaluation report, which can be forwarded to the institutions you are applying to as part of your application.

Common Issues and Tips:

• Missing Information: Ensure that all required documents (transcripts, degree certificates, translations, etc.) are submitted to avoid delays.

• Language Barriers: If your transcripts are in a non-English language, you will need certified translations.

• Processing Time: The evaluation process can take a few weeks, so it's essential to start early in your application process.

• Accreditation: Always ensure that the credential evaluation agency you use is recognized by the institutions you are applying to. Some universities have specific requirements regarding which services they accept.

For Bachelor’s Programs:

• Transcript evaluation is often not required for undergraduate applications. However, if the university you choose mandates it, you’ll need to make a decision whether you want to proceed with the evaluation or not.

• The cost for transcript evaluation can range from 25,000 BDT and above, including DHL charges, transcript handling, and evaluation fees, and other potential costs.

Conclusion:
A transcript evaluation ensures that your international academic qualifications are accurately assessed according to U.S. standards. It is a crucial step in the admissions process for international students, especially for Master's programs. However, not all universities require this process, and in many cases, especially with Bangladeshi transcripts that are in English, translation or evaluation may not be necessary. At Kompass, we guide you through this step and help you make an informed decision based on your university choices.