If you studied outside the US and you’re applying to grad school, a job, or trying to get your degree recognized here, chances are you’ll need a WES evaluation at some point. Here’s a simple breakdown of what it is and how to get through the process smoothly.

What Is WES?

World Education Services (WES) evaluates foreign academic credentials and converts them into their US equivalent. Universities, employers, and immigration bodies rely on WES because it’s one of the most widely recognized credential evaluators in North America.

The Two Types of Evaluation

• This is where a lot of applicants get stuck. WES offers two main report types:

Document-by-Document: Confirms your degree and its US equivalency, without course-level detail.

Course-by-Course: Lists every course you took, converts credits and grades, and calculates a GPA on the US 4.0 scale.

Most graduate programs ask for Course-by-Course, since admissions committees want to see your actual academic performance, not just confirmation that you hold a degree. If a program’s instructions don’t specify, go with Course-by-Course. It includes everything the basic report does, plus more, so it’s accepted almost everywhere.

Step-by-Step Process

• Create a WES account

Set up an account on wes.org. It takes just a few minutes.

• Choose your evaluation type and pay

Document-by-Document starts around $118, and Course-by-Course starts around $186 for the basic report. A pricier ICAP tier is also available, which stores your verified transcripts for future use.

• Request your transcripts

Your university must send official transcripts directly to WES, either electronically or by sealed envelope. Documents sent by applicants themselves usually aren’t accepted, so check your university’s specific submission method before assuming you can mail them yourself.

• Wait for processing

Standard processing takes about 7 business days once all documents are received and verified. Delays on the university’s end will push this back, so timing isn’t fully in your control.

• Receive your report

WES sends the completed report to you and, if requested, directly to the schools or employers listed as recipients.

Key Tips

Start early. Universities abroad can be slow with transcript requests, so give yourself months, not weeks.

Don’t guess on the report type. When unsure, Course-by-Course is the safer default since it covers more ground.

Keep your WES reference number accessible. Universities typically need it when sending transcripts electronically.

Budget for extra costs. The base fee doesn’t include delivery charges or additional copies if the report needs to go to multiple recipients.

Before You Apply

A WES evaluation might feel like just another box to check, but it often ends up being the slowest part of your application since it depends on your old university actually sending documents on time. Get the account set up early, confirm which report type your program wants, and follow up with your university well before any deadline. Once the transcripts land, the rest of the process moves fairly quickly on its own.