Borough of Manhattan Community College (CUNY): Translation Requirements for Documents in Another Language

Worth knowing about BMCC

BMCC requirements in detail

Free evaluation or a faster paid one

BMCC gives two routes.

CUNY's central office evaluates your transcript free of charge if you supply both the original and a word-for-word English translation; it normally takes 6-8 weeks and can take longer (Translation and evaluation of non-US transcripts).

An outside agency is faster but charges you, and BMCC suggests it if the suggested submission date has passed or you want a decision sooner than eight weeks.

Ask the agency for a course-by-course report with a GPA, for secondary school and for each university, and for certified copies of the documents it used.

Of the agencies CUNY recommends, BMCC singles out SpanTran: The Evaluation Company, which has a walk-in office in New York City and a custom application for BMCC (Translation and evaluation of non-US transcripts).

Agencies set their own translation rules: SpanTran accepts an outside translation only from a translator certified by ATA (TEC rule), and eVerbary can assign one through a free quote; CUNY's own free evaluation follows the CUNY guidelines above.

What BMCC asks for with the translation

Secondary applicants send their complete record for all years and any national or government certificates, uploaded to the CUNY application; for WAEC results BMCC asks for extra information by email.

University transcripts must be official, requested from each university you attended (Translation and evaluation of non-US transcripts).

BMCC accepts photocopies of secondary transcripts, diplomas, mark sheets and external exam certificates such as CXC, GCE, WASC or EASC (BMCC: how to apply, international and overseas-educated students).

Each of those documents needs its own translation if it is not in English.

The rule is not limited to F-1 students: anyone who attended high school or college outside the US goes through translation and evaluation, and BMCC warns that overseas credentials take at least 6-8 weeks to review (BMCC: how to apply, international and overseas-educated students). CUNY's wider rules are on the CUNY page.

Documents applicants usually translate

• Secondary school transcripts, every year
• National or government exam certificates (WAEC, CXC, GCE and others)
• High school diploma or leaving certificate
• University transcripts and degree certificates

What an eVerbary translation includes

• A complete English translation of every page, stamps, seals and handwritten notes included, laid out like the original so each line can be matched.
• Grades exactly as recorded, with the grading scale the document prints. We never convert marks to a US GPA.
• A signed certificate of translation accuracy on letterhead, with our contact details, delivered as a PDF you can upload.
• $24.95 per page of up to 250 words, certification included; 24 hours for one to three pages as standard. Regular clients who need it can get delivery in as little as 30 minutes, on request.

Uploading the translation to BMCC

• Upload secondary records with their translations to your CUNY application; WAEC documents and official university transcripts go by email to the BMCC address given on its translation and evaluation page.

• If you use an agency, the translation goes to the agency with your records and the agency sends its report; we can also email the translation directly to the admissions office on request.

How to order

1. Scan or photograph every page of the document, front and back, including any stamps on the reverse.
2. Upload it, choose the language and "certified", and see the price before paying.
3. Receive the PDF, usually within 24 hours for one to three pages, and upload it with the copy of the original wherever the institution asks for it.

Frequently asked questions