What Does it Mean to "Credential" my Transcripts?

All colleges and universities in the United States will require you to provide copies of your transcripts (an official list of the classes you've taken and the grades you've received for each) from previously attended schools, including high schools, colleges, and universities. Colleges and universities use transcripts to better assess whether or not students will succeed academically. They also use transcripts to determine what credit, if any, should be given to students entering a program after having already completed another program or a portion of a program at a different school. Because countries throughout the world employ a variety of grading tactics and curriculum structures, it is often times difficult for colleges and universities in the U.S. to ascertain which previously taken classes can be applied for credit and how the grades received for said classes should translate to the United States' system of grading. Therefore, it is imperative that you credential your transcripts prior to applying for academic programs in the United States.

Why is Credentialing my Transcripts Important?

In order to be accepted into a college or university in the United States, you must provide evidence of previously completed academic coursework. This evidence most commonly arrives in the form of transcripts, or lists of the academic courses you've taken and the grades you've received for those courses. Academic institutions in the United States will not accept you into programs without having first received transcripts that allow them to evaluate:
A. Whether or not you have received the education appropriate to prepare you for college-level courses; and
B. Whether or not you've received satisfactory grades or "marks" that indicate your likelihood to excel and succeed academically

Without receiving your transcripts, colleges and universities in the U.S. will not consider you for admission. You must submit transcripts alongside your general application and the colleges or universities to which you are applying must be able to read those transcripts. Credentialing your international transcripts will allow colleges and universities to read, understand, and successfully evaluate your transcripts.

How do I Credential my Transcripts?

The first important step to credentialing your transcripts is to obtain copies of your transcripts from all of the educational institutes you've attended in your country or countries outside of the U.S. If the academic institutes you've attended don't offer official "transcripts" you'll need to obtain lists of the courses you've taken and the grades you've earned on official school letterhead. You'll also need to obtain certificates and diplomas that demonstrate that you've completed high school or other academic programs. Once you've gathered this information, you'll be ready to begin the process of credentialing your transcripts.

There are three main steps to take to credential your transcripts:

1. Contacting the colleges and universities to which you are applying to ask for specific instructions and guidance on credentialing your transcripts.
2. Contacting multiple organizations that specialize in credentialing transcripts. Ask about their prices and services and compare them with one another.
3. Obtaining your credentialed transcripts (along with a report) and submit them to the colleges and universities of your choice.

The following three paragraphs outline these steps in more detail:

First, contact the colleges and universities to which you are applying and ask their admissions counselors for specific instructions on credentialing your transcripts. Ask them whether or not they prefer working with a specific credentialing organization and determine the direction in which they recommend you proceed. This step is an important step to take because colleges and universities throughout the United States may have different requirements. Call each of the colleges and universities to which you are applying to in order to determine its requirements for credentialing transcripts; do not skip this step-it is an imperative one!

Second, contact the organizations that the colleges and universities recommend and compare those organizations with others. There are numerous organizations that offer credentialing services to international students who wish to study in the United States. Some of them include: International Credentialing Associates, Inc., World Education Services, and International Academic Credential Evaluators, Inc. These organizations and others (which can be found by entering "international credentialing" into a search engine) help international students evaluate and credential their transcripts and often times submit reports and evaluations of those transcripts directly to the schools of their choice. These organizations charge fees for their services and will require that you submit various forms, applications, and other paperwork to begin the process of credentialing your transcripts. Once you've determine which organization you would like to use to credential your transcripts, call the colleges and universities to which you've applied to obtain their approval. Begin this process as soon as you know that you want to apply for academic programs in the United States. The majority of colleges and universities in the United States require that your transcripts be credentialed by a recognized organization! Do not skip this step or use a credentialing organization that is not approved by the colleges and universities to which you are applying.

Once your transcripts have been credentialed the credentialing organization will submit to you a report and evaluation of your transcripts. These documents can then be sent by you to the colleges and universities of your choice. Alternatively, some organizations offer to send the documents directly to the schools of your choice. If this option is appealing to you, make sure that the organization that you select offers that service. Also, ask the colleges or universities to which you are applying whether or not they prefer to have the documents sent directly to them; if they do, you will have to select an organization that offers that service.

Important Reminders:

• Make sure that the colleges and universities to which you are applying know to make the connection between your general application and your credentialed transcripts which will be submitted separately. In general, when applying to colleges and universities in the U.S., it is common (and smart!) to communicate with the admissions offices through the duration of the application process. Submitting your credentialed transcripts is a part of this process-don't let them get lost in the shuffle!
• Communicate, communicate, communicate! Make sure you know and understand what's expected of you by each college and university to which you are applying.
• Prepare! Make sure you have all of the transcripts, documents, and fee money you need to successfully and expediently retrieve your credentialed transcripts. Begin this process as soon as possible as it can take an unexpectedly long amount of time.