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University of Michigan: Translation Requirements for Documents in Another Language
The University of Michigan requires an English translation of any academic record not issued in English: Undergraduate Admissions asks for an "official English translation" with the transcript, and Rackham Graduate School asks for literal, word-for-word translations in the same format as the original. Rackham accepts translations issued by your university, by a professional and certified translator, or by EducationUSA, so for graduate programs the University of Michigan accepts certified translations from professional services such as eVerbary; the undergraduate pages do not say who may translate, and Chinese high schools must issue the translation themselves. Rackham does not accept WES or ECE evaluations and instead asks you to upload a Scholaro GPA report you prepare yourself, which we do not do.
Word-for-word, same format
Rackham wants literal translations laid out like the original.
No WES or ECE
Rackham evaluates itself; only electronic EP evaluations are taken.
Scholaro GPA report
Graduate applicants calculate and upload it themselves.
Michigan requirements at a glance
| What Michigan asks for | |
|---|---|
| Translation (undergraduate) | An official English translation must accompany a high school transcript that the school does not issue in English (source). |
| Translation (graduate) | Literal, word-for-word, in the same format as the original record (Rackham). For most non-English systems Rackham wants a transcript in the native language and one in English, plus the diploma. |
| Who may translate | Graduate: your university, a professional and certified translator, or EducationUSA (source). Undergraduate: not stated, except that Chinese high schools must issue and send the original and the translation (source). |
| Evaluation | Undergraduate: none mentioned. Graduate: Rackham does not accept WES or ECE evaluations, accepts electronic evaluations from Educational Perspectives (source), and requires a Scholaro GPA report from everyone with non-US study (source). |
| Copies at application (graduate) | Upload a front-and-back copy of the official transcript issued to you; portal downloads are not acceptable, but an unofficial transcript may be uploaded if you cannot get an official one by the deadline (source). |
| Official final record (graduate) | Original or attested copy with the original seal and Registrar signature; notarized copies and "true copies" are refused, no apostille needed; due by the end of your first term (source). |
| Transfer | Official transcripts sent directly by each institution; transcripts sent by the applicant are not accepted (source). Chinese college credit needs a CSSD report (source). |
| Does it accept eVerbary? | Yes, for graduate programs. Rackham accepts translations by a professional and certified translator (Rackham credentials page), so a certified translation from a professional service such as eVerbary meets it. Undergraduate Admissions asks for an official English translation without saying who makes it (requirements); for Chinese high school transcripts the school itself must issue and send the translation (country requirements). Policy checked on October 12, 2026. |
Checked on October 12, 2026. Sources are listed at the end of this page. Policies change: confirm on Michigan's own page before you submit.
Rackham: two transcripts, a literal translation and a GPA report
Rackham Graduate School's country table asks, for most countries whose records are not in English, for one transcript in the native language and one in English, plus the diploma. France and francophone Africa need French and English versions; China needs native-language and official English transcripts plus graduation and degree certificates, or CSSD verification reports; India needs mark sheets from every semester and the diploma; Egypt, Bahrain and Hong Kong records are accepted in English only. Where the English version is a translation, it must be literal and follow the original's format, and it may come from your university, a professional and certified translator, or EducationUSA.
Separately, every applicant who studied outside the US must convert their grades with the Scholaro GPA Calculator and upload that report along with a copy of the official transcript (source). Rackham audits the report against the transcripts, and errors or omissions can lead to reversal of admission. That report is your own calculation from the original grades; a translation that keeps grades exactly as recorded is what Rackham checks it against.
Do not buy a WES or ECE evaluation for Rackham
Rackham evaluates foreign credentials itself and does not accept ECE or WES evaluations (source). Its one exception is an electronic evaluation from Educational Perspectives, which it accepts as official, delivered through Certifile via ApplyWeb. If another university on your list requires WES, that report will not replace the transcript, translation and Scholaro report Michigan asks for.
The Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy follows Rackham's transcript process for its MPP and MPA programs and adds its own wording: every non-English transcript must include a certified translation with each copy, and applicants with any non-US degree must order a Scholaro GPA report and upload the PDF (Ford School).
Undergraduate: the transcript, China, and exam certificates
Undergraduate Admissions asks for an official English translation with any transcript the school does not issue in English, submitted with the application by the November 1 or February 1 deadline (source). It does not say who may make it. For China, the senior secondary school itself must issue the transcript and submit it in the original language along with official English translations, and a certified Gaokao, Huikao or Xuekao result with an official English translation is due before enrollment (source).
For advanced standing credit, Michigan asks for certified copies of exam results with an official English translation for the French and European Baccalaureate, the Abitur, the Icelandic Studentspróf and the Norwegian Vitnemål (advanced standing). Transfer applicants from China must also send the high school graduation certificate and the three-year transcript, each with an English translation (source).
Documents applicants usually translate
- University transcripts and mark sheets, native-language and English versions, for Rackham
- Diplomas and degree certificates, and Chinese graduation certificates
- High school transcripts not issued in English by the school, for undergraduate admission
- Baccalaureate, Abitur, Studentspróf or Vitnemål exam results, for advanced standing credit
- The grading scale printed on the transcript, which the Scholaro report must match
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 Michigan
Graduate applicants upload copies of their transcripts and translations in ApplyWeb. After accepting the offer, one official final transcript goes to Rackham by e-transcript, through Certifile in ApplyWeb (Educational Perspectives, MyCreds/MesCertif, My eQuals, Digitary), by mail in the institution's sealed envelope, or in person; e-transcripts are strongly preferred (source).
Undergraduate applicants submit the transcript and its translation through the Common Application as instructed (source); transfer transcripts must come directly from each institution, for example through Parchment or the National Student Clearinghouse (source).
What we do not do
eVerbary is a translation service, not a credential evaluation service: we do not issue evaluations, US equivalencies or GPA conversions, and we cannot send documents on behalf of the school that issued them. For Michigan that means we translate your records and keep every grade as recorded; the Scholaro GPA report is yours to prepare, and Chinese high school translations must come from the school.
How to order
- Scan or photograph every page of the document, front and back, including any stamps on the reverse.
- Upload it, choose the language and "certified", and see the price before paying.
- 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.
Sources
University of Michigan's own pages, read on October 12, 2026. Enrollment figure: Open Doors 2025 (IIE), institutions hosting the most international students in 2024/25: number 11, with 11,929 students.
- International applicants: requirements and deadlines (Undergraduate Admissions)
- Requirements by country (Undergraduate Admissions)
- International advanced standing credit
- Transfer applicants: requirements and deadlines
- Required credentials from non-US institutions (Rackham)
- Transcripts (Rackham)
- Submit the official final transcript (Rackham)
- MPP/MPA international applicants (Ford School)
Frequently asked questions
Who can translate my transcripts for a Michigan graduate (Rackham) program?
Your university, a professional and certified translator, or EducationUSA. The translation must be literal, word-for-word and in the same format as the original (source).
Does Rackham accept a WES or ECE evaluation instead of my transcript?
No. Rackham does not accept WES or ECE evaluations; it accepts electronic evaluations from Educational Perspectives and otherwise evaluates credentials itself (source).
What is the Scholaro GPA report, and does a translation replace it?
No. Applicants with non-US study convert their own grades with the Scholaro GPA Calculator and upload the report with the transcript; Rackham audits it against the transcripts (source). The translation is a separate document.
Can I send a notarized copy of my transcript to Rackham?
Not for the official record. Rackham refuses notarized copies and "true copies" signed by notaries or officials; it needs originals or copies attested by the issuing institution, and no apostille (source).
Do I need a translation for my high school transcript as a Michigan undergraduate applicant?
Yes, if the school does not issue it in English (source). Chinese schools must issue and send both the original and the translation (source).
Will eVerbary convert my grades to a US GPA?
No. The translation reproduces the grades and the grading scale exactly as they appear. A GPA conversion is credential evaluation, which the institution or an evaluation agency does.
Translating documents for Michigan?
Upload a scan of your transcript or diploma and see the price and delivery time before you pay.