S2 Blog: Transcripts, Diplomas, WES and Translations: Which Tier Is Your School In?

Transcripts are the #2 cause of deficiency letters and delays. But unlike financial documents, they’re entirely on you to request, not fix after submission. Request them on day one of your application timeline, and most problems disappear. Wait until week three, and you might end up behind schedule. This article lays out which schools fall into which “tier” of transcript requirements, so you know upfront what you actually need to request.

Key Takeaways

Tier 1 (simplest): Official transcripts only; school reviews in-house
Tier 2 (middle): Official transcripts + evaluation report (WES, NACES-member agency)
Tier 3 (most complex): All of the above, plus Chinese transcript from CHESICC (for Chinese degree-holders)
Timing: Transcripts take 2–4 weeks; evaluations take 1–3 weeks on top of that; start immediately
Short-cut: Expected-graduation letters can stand in for final transcripts temporarily

Tier 1: Official Transcripts Only (School Reviews In-House)

Many schools, especially larger universities with international student experience, evaluate foreign transcripts in-house. They don’t require an external evaluation report. What they do require:

Official transcript(s) from every post-secondary institution you attended
“Official” means issued directly by the registrar, sent to you in a sealed envelope or downloaded directly from the institution’s official portal
For online programs or universities without physical registrars, a PDF from the official university portal counts as official

Requesting official transcripts: - Contact the registrar’s office of each university. Specify “I need official transcripts for university application in the United States”. Some registrars send them directly to you; others can send them directly to your new school (ask which your target school prefers)

Cost: Usually $5–$50 per transcript

Timeline: Usually 5–10 business days after request, though some universities take longer.

Common delays: Universities in some countries have slower processing, or registrar staff may be on leave. Don’t wait until you’re in a rush to request these. Start the day you decide to apply.

Tier 2: Official Transcripts + Evaluation Report

Some universities (especially those with heavy international recruitment) require a course-by-course evaluation report from a NACES-member agency like WES (World Education Services), AACRAO, or ECE. This evaluation reviews your transcript, confirms your degree is equivalent to a U.S. degree, and provides a US-style GPA conversion.

Why schools require this: - They want to standardize grading across different countries. Some countries use different scales or grading systems (for example, China often uses 100-point scales; India might use 10-point scales). The evaluation confirms your degree is genuine and from an accredited institution

Agencies to use: - WES (most popular; covers most countries) - NACES-member agencies (AACRAO, ECE, etc.). Some schools specify which agency they prefer — ask before you pay

What to do:

1. Request your official transcripts from your university

2. Once you have them, register with the evaluation agency

3. Submit your transcripts to the agency

4. The agency sends the evaluation to you (and can send it directly to your school if you request)

Cost: $150–$250 per evaluation

Timeline: - Transcripts: 5–10 business days

Evaluation processing: 10–15 business days

Total: Plan for 3–4 weeks from start to finish

WES specifically: Many international students use WES because it’s straightforward and well-known by US schools. Register on their website, upload your transcript scans, and they process it. Faster than mailing physical documents.

Tier 3: Official Transcripts + Evaluation + Chinese CHESICC Report (For Chinese Degree Holders)

If your degree is from a Chinese university, some schools require a supplementary evaluation from CHESICC (China Higher Education Student Information Center), which is the official Chinese credential verification body. This requirement is less common than it used to be, but some schools still ask for it.

What to do:

1. Request your official transcript and diploma from your Chinese university (in Chinese)

2. Register with CHESICC (chesicc.org, Chinese site; requires Chinese language capability or help)

3. Submit documents to CHESICC

4. CHESICC issues an official verification report (in English and Chinese)

5. Submit that report to your school along with your WES evaluation

Cost: Usually $40–$100

Timeline: 2–4 weeks after submission

Language note: CHESICC’s website and process are in Chinese. Some Chinese universities have a CHESICC coordinator who helps; ask your registrar. Otherwise, use a translation service or ask a Chinese-speaking friend.

Pro tip: Many schools no longer require CHESICC if you have a WES evaluation. Confirm with your target school before starting the CHESICC process — it’s extra work, and you might not need it.

Expected-Graduation Letters: A Temporary Workaround

If you haven’t yet graduated and can’t get your final transcript, many schools accept:

An expected-graduation letter from your current registrar (confirming your expected graduation date)
Your current transcript (showing your progress to date)
A commitment to provide the final transcript once it’s available

This lets you move forward with your application while waiting to graduate. You’ll provide the final transcript later, but it doesn’t block your admission or I-20.

Three-Year Bachelor’s Degrees

Some international students have three-year bachelor’s degrees (common in the UK, Australia, and other countries). U.S. schools understand this and don’t treat it as “incomplete.” Don’t second-guess the degree. Submit it as-is. WES or other evaluators will confirm it’s equivalent to a US bachelor’s degree.

Diploma vs. Transcript: Do I Need Both?

Yes. The transcript shows your coursework and grades; the diploma is proof you actually completed and were awarded the degree. Request both from your university’s registrar.

Practical Timeline Checklist

Day 1–2: Contact registrar at each university; request official transcripts and diploma
Day 10–15: Transcripts should arrive; download if from online portal
Day 15: Register with WES or evaluation agency (if your school requires one)
Day 16–30: Evaluation agency processes your transcripts
Day 31+: Evaluation report is ready; submit with your application
Parallel: If you need CHESICC, start that process around day 10 (add 2–4 weeks)

Starting this on day one of your application timeline keeps you on track for a two-week admission decision.

What to Do If Transcripts Are Delayed

If your university is slow or you’re still waiting on transcripts when you’re ready to apply:

Submit an expected-graduation letter (or expected-completion letter) from your registrar
Explain the timeline to GoElite
Commit to providing the final transcript by a specific date
Most schools will let you proceed with the application while transcripts are in progress

Tell your consultant immediately if there’s a delay. They can coordinate with the school and flag that transcripts are pending.