What is ECE and how it converts grades

If you are planning to study abroad, it is important to decide which evaluation organization will develop your evaluation report. You should always choose an evaluator with the knowledge to provide you with the most accurate assessment and the commitment to help you pursue your dreams. This is where ECE – Educational Credential Evaluators – steps in to provide evaluated documents with the utmost clarity, accuracy and integrity. A credential evaluation compares academic and professional degrees earned in one’s country with the academic and professional degrees earned in another (the country you will be applying for). For more details on this, please read: What is Credential Evaluation and why it is necessary?

For studying abroad, credential evaluations are provided by admissions offices of academic institutions or private organizations. Some higher education institutions have staff who are trained credential evaluators, but many choose to have this function performed by an external source. In the United States, the most comprehensive assessment services are provided by private credential evaluation organizations, such as Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE).

About ECE and how they work

For the last 40 years, Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) have worked with applicants to ensure that internationally educated people are respected and recognized for their educational achievements. It is one of the largest education credential assessment organizations in North America. Since 1980, it has helped 600,000 applicants, including around 40,000 Indian applicants in the past 10 years, realise their study-abroad dreams. As per a 12/17 survey conducted by Intead International Advantage, they have served all applicants with a 95% satisfaction rating. ECE not only provides the highest quality report at a competitive price but also a personal touch. Their reports are:

• Completed within an average of five business days
• Of the highest level of quality and integrity
• Offered at a comparatively low and competitive cost
• Easy to order online
• Supported by excellent customer service

How ECE converts grades – The Four Pillars of ECE

ECE believes that a strong credential evaluation community helps students select organizations where they are treated fairly and respectfully. Thus, they have the following process:

Strict Documentation Requirements

To apply for a report, you will require official documents from your school or college for an accurate evaluation report to be written. Secondary and Post-Secondary (University) education will require different documents. You will need to request original documents from your school or college, both your Official School Transcript and your Graduation Certificate. You will be asked to also include an English translation for each document.

ECE has developed two new options to assist students:

• ECE® Scholar Profile: It enables students to order an evaluation based on the documents that are currently available to them, including photocopies and scans.  In times when it is difficult or impossible for a student to obtain official documents like the COVID-19 pandemic, this tool can help in keeping the admissions process moving, given that the college or university accepts this type of assessment.
• ECE® Translation Waiver: With this, students get the option of submitting documents without the extra time and expense of obtaining a translation.

You must send original documents as an ‘attested’ or ‘university-attested’ copy in a sealed envelope or have electronic documents sent via TrueCopy. Thanks to several international initiatives focused on expanding the global market of secure electronic transmission of student data, secure electronic records are becoming more prevalent in several countries outside the U.S-based systems or Canada.

Analysis by Trained Staff

The evaluators are well versed in educational systems from around the world. ECE has a collection of 35,000 documents from around the world that gives them the expertise to accurately ascertain what your education in India equates to in the U.S terms. This comprehensive knowledge repository is something that not many evaluation companies can claim. Each new credential evaluator receives extensive training relating to various educational systems and specific forensic training on detection of document fraud and diploma mills. Forensic training focuses on understanding the physical characteristics of a document. It includes training on the document printing process and how various security features are added during document production. 

Forensic Analysis of Documents

Once an evaluator has all the correct documents, they begin preparing the report. In some cases, they may ask for additional information and documentation. All documents are processed for a digital database of images and the details about each document are recorded within the database. Each scanned document is given a set of identifying tags that enable evaluators to find and compare documents in the database. Evaluators may also perform an additional review of physical documents during the evaluation process.

Research of Qualifications

Evaluators review the documentation within a dual context: the physical appearance of the documentation and the actual content of each credential. ECE utilizes a variety of resources in daily research. These include their own library and online resources such as institution websites, government websites, news outlets, professional organizations, and so on. Mostly, they have an internal platform for collecting data about each educational system, including case study examples and policy guidelines based on previous evaluations and policy decision meetings.

What to expect after the Evaluation Process?

Once the evaluator has written the report, you can be assured that it is of the highest quality and integrity. ECE evaluators treat your academic achievement and records with respect, and they ensure that those who have worked hard to achieve their credentials are recognized and rewarded for their efforts. Learn more about the specific ECE documentation requirements.

ECE® Aid

ECE strongly believes in an individual’s right to receive the education they deserve. Keeping this in mind, in 2016, they started the ECE Aid program. This program provides free evaluation reports for vulnerable and displaced populations. 

If you have any doubts, customer service is quick to respond, and you can even speak with the evaluator directly if needed. Moreover, ECE® Reports are valid for five years. Even if your plans for study abroad are uncertain, but you are determined for it, you can still move forward with an ECE evaluation now and use your report any time within the validity period.