Appropriate Documentation for Courses Taken Abroad

Do you have any education outside of the U.S.? No matter what level of education you have, we are here to help you!

Every student's situation is unique, so we want to make sure that we connect you with a specialist to help you understand your next steps. It may feel overwhelming, but you are not alone! There are a lot of rumors out there, so let’s make sure you get the right information before investing your time and money.

What could happen if you do not have the right information: 

• Lose important documents
• Spend hundreds of dollars on something you might not need
• Request services from an agency that is not part of NACES
• Waste time finding unnecessary documents

If you do have education outside of the U.S., do you have any proof of your education? 

Every student situation is different, but also every school has different requirements. It is imperative that you speak with a Foreign Credentials Specialist here at Guild to find a program that fits your needs. We want to provide all the necessary details for you to make an informed decision in this process.  

What is important to know before speaking with a Foreign Credentials Specialist?

All students who have education outside of the United States will need to take extra steps to prepare their school documents to apply to an in-network program. 

Documents that you may need:

• Official Transcripts
  • You may need High School and/or University transcripts
    
    
• Certified Translation of Official Transcripts
  • If your documents are in another language besides English
    
    
• Course-by-Course Evaluation From a NACES Member 
  • There are exceptions, so please make sure to confirm if it's needed before paying for the service
    
    
• English Proficiency Test
  • If your education was not in English, you may be required to take an English language assessment
    

Familiarize Yourself With the Following Terms:

What is an official transcript?

It is important to understand that every country provides education records in different ways. In the U.S., an official transcript is printed on special, watermarked paper and is sent in a sealed, signature-stamped envelope. 

What is an original transcript? 

Transcripts are considered original based on the issuing institution standards. Commonly, these transcripts are printed on stamped paper and include the signatures of the institution and ministry of education officials.

What is the difference between official transcripts and original transcripts?

This difference varies from country to country. In the U.S., transcripts are provided by the issuing institution in a sealed envelope. In most countries, transcripts are considered official based on the issuing institution standards. Commonly, these transcripts are printed on stamped paper and include the signatures of the institution and ministry of education officials.

What is a certified translation? 

There are many different agencies that offer translation services. It is important to verify which agencies are authorized or accepted by your chosen school in order to fulfill the proper requirements.

What is a course-by-course evaluation? 

A course-by-course evaluation is an evaluation that will identify and describe each one of the courses that were completed. This type of evaluation should include grades and GPA (Grade Point Average). 

What is NACES? 

The National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) is an association of U.S.-based, independent, and non-governmental organizations that provide credential evaluation services for individuals who have completed education outside the United States.

Article Written by Maria Soto and Emily Henson