When applying to advanced standing dental programs through CAAPID, in addition to Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE), another credential evaluation service commonly used is World Education Services (WES). WES provides an evaluation of foreign academic credentials to help U.S. institutions, such as dental schools, understand your international education in terms of the U.S. system.
Why Do You Need a WES Report for CAAPID?
A WES report evaluates and translates your international dental degree and transcripts into their U.S. equivalents, providing a comprehensive overview of your academic qualifications. This allows dental schools to:
- Assess whether your education and training meet the program’s entry requirements.
- Compare your grades and coursework with U.S. standards.
While ECE is widely accepted, WES is also commonly accepted by several CAAPID-participating schools. However, you should check the specific requirements of the schools you’re applying to, as some schools might prefer one over the other.
Types of WES Reports for CAAPID
For your CAAPID application, you’ll need a course-by-course evaluation report from WES. This includes:
- A detailed listing of all courses taken in your dental degree program.
- U.S. credit and grade equivalents for each course.
- A calculation of your overall GPA based on U.S. grading standards.
Steps to Obtain a WES Report for CAAPID
1. Create an Account
Go to the WES website WES and create an account to start your credential evaluation.
2. Choose the Appropriate Evaluation
Select the course-by-course evaluation report, as this is required for CAAPID. This report provides the necessary breakdown of your coursework, grades, and GPA.
3. Submit Your Transcripts
You’ll need to submit official transcripts from your dental school, which must be sent directly to WES from your institution. If the school cannot send transcripts directly, you may be able to submit them yourself, following WES’s specific guidelines.
- Document Requirements: The documents needed usually include your official academic transcripts and degree certificate (diploma). Make sure to follow WES’s guidelines on how these documents should be submitted.
- WES offers services for electronic document submission if your institution supports this.
4. Pay the Evaluation Fee
The cost for a WES course-by-course evaluation ranges between $160 and $205, depending on the type of processing (standard or expedited). Prices may vary, so check their website for the most current fee structure.
5. Track Your Application
Once your documents are submitted, you can track the status of your evaluation through your WES account. The evaluation process typically takes 2-3 weeks, but expedited options are available.
6. Send the WES Report to CAAPID
Once WES has completed the evaluation, you can have it electronically sent directly to CAAPID. When filling out your application, make sure to select CAAPID as the recipient institution. This step ensures that your report is received by the dental schools you are applying to.
Important Tips for the WES Process
- Start early: The evaluation process can take time, so it’s essential to begin the process as soon as possible to avoid missing any CAAPID deadlines.
- Verify documents: Double-check your transcripts and degrees for accuracy before submission.
- Follow up with your school: Ensure that your dental school sends the required documents directly to WES in a timely manner.
- Check program-specific requirements: Some schools may have additional requirements for transcript evaluation, so ensure you review the specific needs of each dental program.
WES vs. ECE: Which Should You Use?
- Both WES and ECE are recognized by CAAPID and most dental schools.
- Some schools may have a preference for one service over the other, so check with the programs you are applying to.
- WES may have different processing times or fees compared to ECE, so weigh these factors based on your needs and deadlines.
Obtaining a WES report as part of your CAAPID application is a critical step to ensure that U.S. dental schools can accurately assess your international qualifications. Make sure to prepare all the necessary documents early to avoid delays in the application process.