Korean Job Discussion Forums

[FourAces]

Newbie here.

My cousin who is currently teaching in a hogwan near Ulsan has turned me on to the experience of teaching English in Korea. I would like the opportunity to do so as well, but due to my personal failures which I have been in the ongoing and relatively successful process of correcting since my years suspension from school, I am currently sitting on a 1.38 GPA from my state university. That's what 4 straight semesters of a lot of Fs and some Ws did to my GPA. If I get two As and 2 Bs in 16 credits this semester, it'll jump to 2.01. Then I only need 9 credits to graduate. If I retake 16 more credits of Fs and get all As, my GPA will jump to 2.6.

Not necessary I'm told, but for my own well being, my goal is to do some volunteer work this summer and perhaps take a TEOFL course, even though I'm told it's not necessary.

Should I stay an extra semester just to bring it up to 3.0 or just graduate on a high note and be done with it?

[ttompatz]

[shostahoosier]

Tom is right...after a while, no one will care about your GPA.

From experience though, a lot more entry level doors will open for you (outside of EFL) if you have above a 3.0.

That's the cutoff for a lot of graduate programs and even some employers.

If it's not expensive and you have nothing better to do I would go for the 3.0. Plus the improving trend of your grades will look good to a graduate school if thats in your sights down the road.

If you're just looking for a career in EFL...it probably wont really matter that much.

[FourAces]

I want to get teaching experience and pay off my student loans first. Down the road, I'm seriously contemplating going back to school with the intention of a career in special education related to emotional and behavioral disorders.

[silkhighway]

I think you're being too optimistic about getting A's. Even if you do, future people reviewing your transcripts are going to know you repeated all those courses. If I were you -- and I almost was, my GPA sucked -- I'd concentrate on just finishing. Employers aren't going to care about your GPA. If you want to go on to further education down the road, you may need to upgrade then but take it as it goes. Nobody's perfect and if you've been out of school awhile, they'll consider that.

[mimi belle]

Having a higher gpa would help you if you're considering grad school at some point in the future. You might want that option one day for a career change or advancement. For example, in the US, many states require teachers to complete a master's degree. In Asia, some college positions require one.

A lot of grad schools want a 3.0 gpa or higher.
Of course, you can always do additional coursework to fill in the gaps, but overall, it's not a bad idea to get your grades up.

It probably wont matter in the short run, but could help you in the long run.

[minos]

Public schools now use it as a factor(particulary EPIK).

However, nobody has questioned my GPA otherwise.

Some of the really higher end places may factor it in along side SAT and TOEFL scores, but I'd imagine it pales in comparison to the Scores and name of the college you went to.

[davemon]

I don't think anyone can answer this.for you. For working in Korea, no it doesn't matter immi wants your degree, end of inquiry. Lots of jobs in the US just want a degree, no more questions asked. Conversely, I have seen some competitive positions not only put a gpa floor but also req'd ttnascripts. Grad school for 2.0 range seems foreclosed to me.

So, IMO life is best lived without closing too many doors, however if you've clearly identified grad school as.not being of even remote interest to you, then save your time, efforts, and money.

GL

[sallymonster]

You have to have a 2.5 GPA to get into EPIK. No other employers in Korea will care as log as you have the degree.

If you want a career in teaching, though, you'd better try to get your grades up to a 3.0 average. Most grad schools these days won't even consider an applicant with grades below 3.0. Some second degree programs won't either.

[pangaea]

If you are at all interested in grad school, definitely work on your GPA. I have been researching grad schools and for most, the minimum GPA is a 3.0. Some will let you in on conditional admission with a lower GPA (basically, you are accepted on probation and have to prove you can do the work) and there are some that have a minimum GPA of 2.75. It will definitely be to your advantage to raise your GPA if you want to continue with your education as you said you wanted.

As for teaching in Korea, most hagwons won't ask or care about your GPA as long as you have a degree.

[RMNC]

[MoonArisa]

Double post. Sorry.

[MoonArisa]

How do the GPA numbers work for Canada?

i.e. the minimum of 2.5 or 2 mentioned above; what would it translate to Canadian GPA?

[jonbowman88]

Don't listen to the people who say you can't pull a semester of A's. I did it myself. I needed to basically get all A's and a B for my last 40 credits to go above a 3.0. I finished with a 3.01. That being said, no one has cared about my GPA since being here. Still glad I pulled it up though.

[brucefox]

EPIK recruiters gave me a stink eye when they saw some C's on my transcript and I have 3.2 GPA from a good uni. But thankfully, they will not be looking at your transcrips anymore since this is no longer required.
You only need to apostillize your diploma and you're set!

You will, however, need above 3 GPA if you want to do masters anywhere. In fact, unless you take an online course at a for-profit uni, you will need higher than 3.4 to get accepted into any respected school.
Okay, on paper and with lotsa money you can get in with 3.0, but is it really worth that much effort!

Just secure a job with your diploma and you will have a safe and secure employment for as many years as you want. (unless you end up in a craptacular hogwon... Watch the blacklist to avoid these, but you could still end up in one..)