Korean Job Discussion Forums

Pauliver · Joined: 01 Jul 2009

Hey everyone,

I graduated with a B.A. from UCLA in mid-June. They've said it can take 3-4 months from the date of graduation until we receive our diplomas. So, am I just completely hosed as far as getting hired in Korea until that happens? How far in the hiring process will I be able to get, and are recruiters/schools familiar with or considerate of this type of problem?

Thanks!

cruisemonkey · Posted: Thu Jul 02, 2009 11:14 am Post subject:

Officially, if you can get a 'Certificate of Academic Degree' or a 'Certificate of Graduation' you can get an E-2 while waiting for your uni to issue your sheepskin.

The reality is - it may be very difficult because visa officers will not know about or recognise those certificates and will tell you need your "original diploma".

t1m1ty · Joined: 24 May 2009 Location: Bundang

I'm in the same situation. However, I did send EPIK a 'Certificate of Academic Degree' that stated I had completed my courses. With that I received an interview and apparently passed. I turned in all my documents and am now just waiting for my contract.

Mr. Pink · Joined: 21 Oct 2003 Location: China

Don't they give those things at June convocation?

I don't see why they need to see the degree, transcripts say the courses were completed and degree was conferred.

toadhjo · Joined: 07 Apr 2009

t1m1ty · Joined: 24 May 2009 Location: Bundang

toadhjo · Joined: 07 Apr 2009

MissLady717 · Joined: 04 Jun 2009

same problem here. but UCSB told me to just fax them a letter from EPIK saying they need my actual degree and that they would rush it? hopefully i can get that done tomorrow so that itll arrive before august...

merrypr4nkster · Joined: 03 Jun 2009

Im in the same boat... UCSD takes 3 - 4 months to send out the diplomas and a rush diploma is like $150. I've been told by several recruiters and current teachers that if you get a 'degree verification' on official school letterhead you can use that instead of your original diploma. I just picked up mine today actually... $6.

Lukychrm42 · Joined: 09 Oct 2008 Location: Cheonan

If you can get ahold of a copy of your final transcript, it will show the date your degree is conferred. While you will need the diploma eventually, the transcript may appease a school/recruiter until you get to the point of immigration.

Pauliver · Joined: 01 Jul 2009

Well, this is frustrating. I had a school tell me that some kind of "letter of graduation" would be fine (I'm declining the position for other reasons), but now two recruiters have told me only the diploma is acceptable. I guess I'll just refer to the clear Immigration guidelines easily found at... oh wait...

Kwangjuchicken · Posted: Sun Jul 12, 2009 9:51 pm Post subject:

Why in the name of God do you not receive it on graduation day? Sure, there were only 190 in my graduating class for my BA. I, however, received my PhD from The Ohio State University. Because of the 1000's and 1000's of students that graduate from there only the PhD's receive their diploma from the President. That takes a good part of the time. After the ceremony is over, all of the MA's and BAs go down to the football field (graduation is in the stadium) and stand in lines for hours to receive their diploma. With moderen technology, why would it take so long to make them? After all, even with 30,000 BA diplomas (just a guess) how long does it take a printing Co. to just fill in a name? Months? That is crazy. Shocked