Anyone who opts for WES evaluation does that for a very important need. Some of these needs are time-bound (i.e usually around a window of opportunity). Missing such an opportunity might cost a whole lot, making it detrimental to the pursuit of further studies.
You applied for WES, filled out your forms, and sent in all the appropriate documents. You are so eager to hear from WES that your credential evaluation is in process. But instead, you get a status update that your report is on hold and you feel crazy because of the deadline.
Your WES evaluation report is on hold. What does this mean?
This blog post explains some common reasons that can cause WES to put your credential evaluation on hold and what you can do—if anything—to restart the process. Below are some of the reasons:
- Thorough Review and Evaluation
- Incorrect Format
- Document Security
- Precision
- Incomplete Information
- Legibility Issues
- Partial Record
1. Thorough Review and Evaluation
The first thing is for you to send your documents to WES. Once your documents arrive at WES, evaluators review them to ensure that they have come from the appropriate source and contain all the information necessary to complete a thorough evaluation. This documents review stage represents the core of the evaluation process.
2. Incorrect Format
When documents do not come in the correct format, the WES evaluators send a status update in an email to identify the issue and what to do to correct them. If you receive this status update via email, please send your documents in the correct format as instructed.
3. Documents Security and Stamp
The document sent to WES was in an open envelope. WES requires that academic documents come in a sealed envelope that is stamped or signed across the back flap by the appropriate official. If the envelope is open, WES cannot accept the document.
WES requires sealed envelopes as part of the document authentication process. If you have not sent a sealed envelope, we cannot proceed. The only exception to this rule is if Customs opens your envelope for a security check. They will leave WES a note specifying what they have done, so WES can usually proceed in this circumstance. The remedy to this glitch will be WES sending a status update via email to resent documents in a sealed envelope.
Similarly, if WES received your document in an envelope that was NOT stamped or signed across the back flap by the appropriate official, there may also be a delay in the evaluation process.
If you receive this status update via email, please send your documents in an envelope that is appropriately sealed.
4. Precision
WES received your translations, but they are not precise word-for-word translations. This will hinder WES from preparing your evaluation. You know this is the case if you received a status update via email, saying the translations you received do not correspond to the original language document(s).
It is important to note that WES will not be able to proceed except documents and translations match. To ensure this, WES will require a new set of translations that match the original language document(s). Here is what to look out for, WES accepts any word-for-word translation from your academic institution or a certified translator.
5. Incomplete Information
Another factor that can hinder your evaluation is that WES received your translations, but they are missing information. To know this is the case, WES will send a status update via email to inform you of missing pages. The onus is on you to provide these mission pages.
6. Legibility Issues
You may want to avoid ambiguity as it will hinder your evaluation from being prepared. WES will send you a status notification which is likely to read in part ‘Please resend higher-quality documents in the format stated on our Required Documents page.’
7. Partial Record
Not including some of your subjects or grades in the WES process may delay your evaluation too. Why this is a big deal is that WES requires a full record of all courses and grades for each year of your program.
In all these, it is pertinent to note that when enrolled in the WES process, it is pertinent to keep a close tab with especially email correspondence.