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EPIK VS GEPIK?
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kern



Joined: 20 Sep 2012

PostPosted: Sat Sep 29, 2012 10:12 am    Post subject: EPIK VS GEPIK? Reply with quote

Hi Everyone! I'm new to the board and wanting to apply to GEPIK but now also considering EPIK...need some advice from people whos gone through either or both programs. thank you!

I was in the process for EPIK/SMOE and i was only going to apply for SMOE....because originally i wanted to be near Seoul.

So because of that after some discussion my recruiter recommended me to do GEPIK instead bc SMOE is highly competitive and I have no experience in teaching nor do i have a English/Education degree. So she said i should opt for GEPIK instead since its not too far from Seoul.

I'm starting to consider doing EPIK as well since I don't want all my eggs in one basket but worried I might be placed in some remote place in Korea since I have no teaching experience. I think I don't mind being in any metropoltian city now. But I'm a bit late since the EPIK apps are already rolling in. What do you guys think?

I was curious on what everyone's bad experience was with Korvia? I read a few things but not really sure what they mean. I'm using Korvia right now and they seem to be fine. But since applications are rolling in for EPIK i haven't heard from my recruiter in a while.

thanks!
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YTMND



Joined: 16 Jan 2012
Location: You're the man now dog!!

PostPosted: Sat Sep 29, 2012 10:30 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
I was curious on what everyone's bad experience was with Korvia?


Your title so far is "EPIK VS GEPIK?"

Korvia is not their slave.

Korvia is not their slave.

Did you read?

Korvia is not their slave.

Thus, choose what offer you like. The end.
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xihtug



Joined: 14 Sep 2012

PostPosted: Sat Sep 29, 2012 11:00 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

It doesn't hurt to apply for SMOE in EPIK, but ideally if you want to be near Seoul, I would go with GEPIK.

There's always hagwons as well. Be careful though, there are plenty of posts demonstrating how bad hagwons can be on this forum.
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jammo



Joined: 12 Dec 2008

PostPosted: Sun Sep 30, 2012 6:47 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Korvia are good. I can vouch for them as they got me a HS job (national) in Seoul this march. Give them a shot but spread your bets

Good luck!
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dairyairy



Joined: 17 May 2012
Location: South Korea

PostPosted: Sun Sep 30, 2012 6:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Why does Korvia have a bad rep with so many teachers? Can anyone explain?
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YTMND



Joined: 16 Jan 2012
Location: You're the man now dog!!

PostPosted: Sun Sep 30, 2012 6:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

dairyairy wrote:
Why does Korvia have a bad rep with so many teachers? Can anyone explain?


They are a bigger recruiting agency. They are going to have more people like and dislike them. All they do is connect a teacher with a school. So, if the school is bad, then teachers are going to blame it on the recruiter even though they didn't pay the recruiter fee.

It's just numbers. I wouldn't turn down a good offer if it came through Korvia, and if it didn't pan out it would be between me and the school, not the recruiter.
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xihtug



Joined: 14 Sep 2012

PostPosted: Mon Oct 01, 2012 10:56 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

YTMND wrote:
dairyairy wrote:
Why does Korvia have a bad rep with so many teachers? Can anyone explain?


They are a bigger recruiting agency. They are going to have more people like and dislike them. All they do is connect a teacher with a school. So, if the school is bad, then teachers are going to blame it on the recruiter even though they didn't pay the recruiter fee.

It's just numbers. I wouldn't turn down a good offer if it came through Korvia, and if it didn't pan out it would be between me and the school, not the recruiter.


I haven't applied for anything other than EPIK, but how does the Korvia recruiting work differently than another recruiter for PS/Private School jobs? Are other recruiters more hands on getting you through to a school (like scheduling interviews etc.)?
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YTMND



Joined: 16 Jan 2012
Location: You're the man now dog!!

PostPosted: Mon Oct 01, 2012 12:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

xihtug wrote:
YTMND wrote:
dairyairy wrote:
Why does Korvia have a bad rep with so many teachers? Can anyone explain?


They are a bigger recruiting agency. They are going to have more people like and dislike them. All they do is connect a teacher with a school. So, if the school is bad, then teachers are going to blame it on the recruiter even though they didn't pay the recruiter fee.

It's just numbers. I wouldn't turn down a good offer if it came through Korvia, and if it didn't pan out it would be between me and the school, not the recruiter.


I haven't applied for anything other than EPIK, but how does the Korvia recruiting work differently than another recruiter for PS/Private School jobs? Are other recruiters more hands on getting you through to a school (like scheduling interviews etc.)?


It's just a number game. McDonald's compared to Wendy's (are they still around?) or Taco Bell.
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kona



Joined: 24 Jan 2012
Location: USA

PostPosted: Tue Oct 02, 2012 2:21 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

You could also apply directly to other cities MOEs. I got my position directly through Busan MOE. Incheon, Ulsan, and I think Daegu also have direct hire through their respective MOEs, with contract conditions that are exactly the same as EPIK.
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kern



Joined: 20 Sep 2012

PostPosted: Tue Oct 02, 2012 8:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

kona wrote:
You could also apply directly to other cities MOEs. I got my position directly through Busan MOE. Incheon, Ulsan, and I think Daegu also have direct hire through their respective MOEs, with contract conditions that are exactly the same as EPIK.


How did you go about in doing that? Like where did you go to for info etc?

thank so much that helps and good to know there are other options. Very Happy

I was wondering if anyone knows when the GEPIK application starts?
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Otherside



Joined: 06 Sep 2007

PostPosted: Wed Oct 03, 2012 4:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Your recruiter is right, SMOE is much more competitive. Just like you, most people want to be in Seoul. Coupled with the fact that SMOE has (or are in the process) removed almost all middle and high school positions. This means there aren't many positions, lots of applicants and they are very picky.

For what it's worth, I used Korvia and had a good experience, but your mileage may vary.
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kona



Joined: 24 Jan 2012
Location: USA

PostPosted: Wed Oct 03, 2012 6:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

kern wrote:
kona wrote:
You could also apply directly to other cities MOEs. I got my position directly through Busan MOE. Incheon, Ulsan, and I think Daegu also have direct hire through their respective MOEs, with contract conditions that are exactly the same as EPIK.


How did you go about in doing that? Like where did you go to for info etc?

thank so much that helps and good to know there are other options. Very Happy

I was wondering if anyone knows when the GEPIK application starts?


I would just watch the korean job board hear on dave's. I'll try and pm you with the contact for the place I went through. Also, if you just do a google search of IMOE, UMOE, BMOE, and/or DMOE (or spell out the name of the city) you might have luck that way.

I'll try and see what I can do.
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jeanie_n



Joined: 20 Aug 2012

PostPosted: Wed Oct 03, 2012 7:16 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've already submitted my app to EPIK. If I try to apply directly to other city's MOES, do you know if that would count as a double application?
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kona



Joined: 24 Jan 2012
Location: USA

PostPosted: Thu Oct 04, 2012 3:16 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

jeanie_n wrote:
I've already submitted my app to EPIK. If I try to apply directly to other city's MOES, do you know if that would count as a double application?


Don't know. I wouldn't chance it, though.
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blm



Joined: 11 Nov 2010

PostPosted: Thu Oct 04, 2012 3:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I used Korvia and didn't have any problems but I didn't expect much.

They don't really care if a job is the right fit for you they just place you as fast as they can in any job that will take you. As will most recruiters.

I think the negative people are those not happy with the jobs they got or expect ongoing support (i.e. swallowed the PR guff), Korvia had no real idea what my school would be like and to be honest I don't know how they could as the main co teacher started the day before I did.
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