Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jychoi]

Hello all, I have 3 questions:

1) I'm applying to SMOE and one of the things I have to write in on the application is my GPA. I'm from the UK so we don't operate with this grading system. Does anyone here know how to calculate your GPA from the UK honours degree (2.1,2.2,3rd) ?

2) EPIK- I have applied here and I have an interview with them this Friday at the London embassy. I have spoken to them about having to wait until mid August to receive my degree certificate. They said that I could bring in my transcripts (for the first 2 years) and a letter from my university stating my graduation this year. The submission of my degree certificate can wait till later (if I am successful in my interview). My question is, will the fact that I will be submitting my degree certificate late (and potentially delaying my arrival in Korea) affect my chances of being offered a job?
Also, in my application form, I had written that I graduate this year summer when my course and exams officially end (June, 2009). However my uni just published the graduation ceremony date and it is laaaaate in November 30th! So, I was wondering whether I should tell them in my interview about this because that would mean I would HAVE to take a few days off from school (if i am successful) to attend my ceremony back in the UK. Consequently raising the risk of not being offered a position because of this reason?
OR, should I not tell them so as not to decrease my chance of being offered a position and if offered a position, fly to Korea then later request for holidays at my school?

Alternatively, does anybody know if EPIK offers positions starting in December??

3) Back to ETIS (SMOE), I know that they don't accept letters from university stating my graduation date in replacement for a degree certificate (unlike EPIK). Also, they require all documents to be submitted at the same time. Since ETIS is probably the most popular, would it be not worthwhile to submit my application late when I receive my degree certificate (i.e. all my documents)?
Also, back to the situation above, should I tell my recruiter in advance about having to request holiday off for my ceremony in December or should I just wait until I get offered a position (hopefully) and request holidays from the school directly? (I'm leaning towards the latter because I feel that saying in advance would greatly put me to a disadvantage!! >,<)


Thanks alot guys!!

[ekul]

So you want to come to Korea to work in a job that requires at least a bachelors degree but you've not yet graduated, but you want to start working and then go back to the UK to actually graduate?

However in an attempt to actually be helpful GEPIK, at least, seem to recruit throughout the year. You shouldn't have a hard time finding a contract that starts in September when you have all your paperwork in hand.

[SSA]

You may be able to go through EPIK and still get a position depending on the certificate arriving. However you will not be attending you gradaution ceremony 99.9% certainly. You EPIk contract will have a section about special leave and will state how many days absence you are entitled to for the death of a parent = 7days and the death of your own child = 5 days. They will not allow you to go home in November for a graduation ceremony. School in in session from late august (you would arrive in school sept 1st) and runs until around xmas (mine ended dec 30th) Your vacation (length depends on province) will be taken after the term ends.

So while you may get a job here and then wait for your papers? When I graduated we didnt receive the certificate until after the ceremony it came in the mail about 3 weeks later. I am not sure if you can apply for a visa until you actually have the cetificate in hand.

[jychoi]

Thank you for the replies.

To SSA:
So granted I get offered a job with EPIK, the chances of being able to go back home for my ceremony is near impossible? Isn't there any way I could negotiate with the school? My sister was in the same situation but she was able to request a few days off from school (she was hired by JET) which apparently was not unusual as most of us UK grads have their ceremony around the end of the year. I have no idea how EPIK works though... :s
My parents would absolutely kill me if I don't attend my ceremony so it seems that I should just give up my EPIK application...unless they have extra positions starting from December....

As for the visa issue, again, I believe JET understands the situation for UK grads so they allow them to go to Japan first provided they have a letter from the uni stating their graduation date plus provisional transcripts and receiving the certificate and official transcripts later. I think for Korea, you need the actual certificate in hand...

[Changed]

I'm in a similar situation. I live in the US, but for some reason, my school doesn't send out diplomas until 3 MONTHS(!) after the graduation date. I have an interview with the EPIK people very soon, so I wonder if I should even bring it up...?

[t1m1ty]