Korean Job Discussion Forums

DorkothyParker · Joined: 11 Apr 2009 Location: Jeju

I apologize if this post exists elsewhere; I did a search and there wasn't really any information on the first couple pages so I got lazy. Smile

I'm graduating next month and I plan on applying for the fall semester. However, I'm not exactly at the top of my class. My GPA will probably only be about a 3.0. I know for other teaching programs, JET in Japan, for example, they require a high GPA, a private university education (I'm graduating from Boise State), and all kinds of fancy extras to be considered.

I REALLY want to teach English and I think I would be good at it. I would just hate to be turned down for my lackluster record. So, how competitive is EPIK?

gurudanny · Joined: 24 Oct 2008 Location: Chesapeake, VA

Do you have a pulse? Can you pass a health exam? Do you/ will you have a Bachelors degree?

If you answered yes, EPIK will be really easy for you.

A 3.0 GPA is nothing to be ashamed of either, but as long as you have a degree you can make it into EPIK if you follow the deadlines. I say if you really want to come (I assure you it's the best decision I've made in a long time), I say go for EPIK.

Draz · Joined: 27 Jun 2007 Location: Land of Morning Clam

It is competitive to get into the better areas, but if you're attractive you will have no problem with that.

BS.Dos. · Joined: 29 Mar 2007

They're crying out for teachers OP. If there is a selective process at work within EPIK, then I suspect it falls along racial, sovereign and (possibly) gender lines ahead of any perceived lack of academic aptitude.

gurudanny · Joined: 24 Oct 2008 Location: Chesapeake, VA

It also helps if you're early (but not too early) with sending in your documents. Placements are made at afirst come, first served basis. I was placed in my 1st choice (Busan) becuase of that. And the fact that they have about 130 positions open every semester for Busan. Some friends of mine didn't make their first choice because they waited too long to send their documents. If you want the Fall intake, start gathering paperwork now.

Robot_Teacher · Joined: 18 Feb 2009 Location: Robotting Around the World

EPIK is very competitive in that it requires you to have a legitimate bachelors of anything from an accredited uni and a clean criminal background check. It's not nearly as competitive as JET where you have to apply like a year in advance to go through a comlicated process and have a super high GPA. JET pays like 3,600,000 yen a year with housing subisdy and airfare added on making it twice as higher paying as EPIK in term of U$ at current xchange rates. JET is much more prestigious and much higher paying so it's much more competitive.

Even NOVA was competitive in that required you to have adequate start up finances. I was so set on going to Japan, robot central, for a couple years, but couldn't pull it off due to lack of finances and high GPA. Japan is highly competitive, because it's highly sought after for the special cultural experience it offers. Japan must be the rich scholars playground while Korea is the playground for scholars of modest economic means.

Japan is for big spenders possessing high credentials while Korea is for average people looking to earn to save $, study, and travel.

the foystein · Joined: 23 Apr 2007

I didn't realize you could make that kind of money in Japan. Thanks, I shall explore that option.

Xuanzang · Joined: 10 Apr 2007 Location: Sadang

yeremy · Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2009 2:13 am Post subject: How Competitive is EPIK?

I heard that there were four applicants for every opening for the last orientation in March of 09 at Cheonan, so that made it 4:1 for the last intake. Many, if not most, of the newbies that came to the province I am in were new to Korea. There weren't that many with master's degrees. I was a bit surprised and the new group were fairly diverse, too.

wylies99 · Joined: 13 May 2006 Location: I'm one cool cat!

spitfire · Joined: 21 Jan 2009

yeremy · Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2009 4:50 pm Post subject: The info's not wrong

The info's not wrong. I asked and heard it from the former EPIK manager for Gyeongbuk. However, it could be for Gyeongbuk only. In that case, my bad. I was an unofficial (didn't get paid) EPIK coordinator last semester, but thankfully not this semester in Gyeongbuk.

spitfire · Joined: 21 Jan 2009

yeremy · Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2009 5:39 pm Post subject:

We aren't privy to how the hiring is done. That's true. It was an interesting experience but I don't want to do it again.

Ukon · Joined: 29 Jan 2008

JET isn't that competitive....I got past the application stage with a 3rd rate Uni, no real teaching experiencing outside of tutoring, and a 2.4 GPA...I was disqualified because they called me asking for a medical note at the last minute and the hospital didn't send it on time.

The competitive part of JET is that they want you to follow EVERY rule to a T when applying....don't include 3 copies of form AB like they asked? Possible disqualification...They get so many applicants so it helps weed them out....do the research online(I think I'm lost is a good site) on the application process. Do that and you'll learn all the hiring protocols(JET uses former participants for hiring tasks so the information has leaked quite a bit...they even have a bank of the interview questions they use).

EPIK and GEPIK(to an lesser extent) is as uncompetitive as it gets....just follow the process and your In....SMOE is competitive...they look out for experience for teaching...or impressive resumes....I had something that impressed them and I was in with barely any experience...