Transcript evaluations - really necessary?

[LordNorth]

I'm a graduate of two UK universities and I've noticed that some US departments ask for transcript evaluations from schools outside of the US. Is this really necessary? Sometimes (e.g. Georgetown) they say that applicants are "strongly advised" to submit these, but at other times (e.g. NSSR) they say it's mandatory. It seems a bit over the top to me (and, I have to admit, a little insulting).

Have any other UK students encountered this, and have they gone ahead with getting a WES evaluation? It looks like it could add a serious amount of money to my applications...

[ridgey]

Well, no, you don't HAVE to get a WES evaluation. But your schools don't have to consider your application or offer you admission, either.

It is probably to your advantage - if they're asking for WES evaluation they probably don't see many foreign applications. If they're not familiar with the UK system (or the Azebaijan system, or whatever), they'll see your 76% (I have no idea, I'm making up numbers) and think "below average" instead of "freakin' genius".

Yeah, I guess it is vaguely insulting. And it is definitely a big hunk of money. Fortunately, none of my schools (at this point; the list keeps changing) require WES evaluation. But if they did, I guess I would suck it up.

[Parisienne]

Well I guess it depends on how different the grading system is in the UK, but it I were you, I'd do it. If they're asking for it & strongly recommend it, then it probably means it would improve your chances, and also, it just makes everyone's life easier on the admissions committee. I would definitely do it -- for the simple reason that I attended two French grad schools where the grading system is really different from the American one. In one of them you were graded out of 20, and in the other one you'd get A/B/C but those grades would also depend on a grade out of 20 (meaning there was zero grade inflation: a 17,5/20 would get you a B, and an 18/20 would get you an A).

[LordNorth]

Thanks for the advice, guys. I think I was just a little frustrated when I wrote that original post (application process, eh?

To keep you (and anybody else in a similar position) informed, New School have told me that they don't need an evaluation unless they come across anything particuarly confusing; generally, they say, UK transcripts are easy for them to work with. Still waiting to hear from Georgetown, which is the only other place (so far) I've noticed mention this.

Thanks again

LN