Korean Job Discussion Forums

[GDT]

Hey all,

I'm relatively new to all this and just have a quick question about transcripts before I get on with recruiters (if I do!)

1. Is it absolutely necessary that I provide transcripts? And absolutely necessary that they are sealed and stamped?

2. I have a BA in polysci and then another in education. the education one "piggybacks" on the polysci one -- in other words, it was only one extra year of courses. Do you think I'll have to get degrees from both universities?

Thanks!
GDT

[Aoisagi]

Hi.

I'll try to answer your questions.

1) Yes, you have to provide transcripts. Yes, it has to be sealed along with your school's stamp across the seal.

2) Is the education degree a teacher's one? I don't really know what you mean by piggybacking. If it isn't a Masters, PhD, Teacher's degree then probably no.

[ttompatz]

[GDT]

Hi guys,

Thanks for the answers! Sorry, I wrote that real late last night and didn't explain myself properly. Basically in Canada you get a 3-4 year degree and can then apply to teacher's college. At teacher's college you do a one-year program and are then awarded a second degree -- a Bachelor of Education -- and full teaching certification. By "piggybacking" I meant that you require the first degree to get the second. You can't simply go to university for one year and become a teacher. Even though, effectively, that's what the program does since the first degree can be in anything.

And no worries about my degrees. They are all legal and I have them with me. It's just an extra hassle to get a university to send transcripts. You don't have to do this in Taiwan and Japan. Korean immigration officials are very welcome to call/investigate my schools.

Thanks again!
GDT

[Troglodyte]

If you got them both from the same university, then the university will put all your courses on to the same transcript.

Like previously noted, unless you're applying for an international school (university positions are out of the question without experience) then there's no real advantage to even telling them about your B.Ed. If you want, you can get it notarised and officially stamped at the Korean consulate. The cost for getting 5 pages notarised is usually the same as getting 10 notarised (so ask them to make you 2 or 3 notarised copies while you're at the lawyer's office). If they charge per sheet, then ask around. I paid about 30 CA$ for a lawyer to notarise both types of CBC, my degree, and my teaching certificate, ALL IN TRIPLICATE. The guy there said that he'd just notarise whatever documents I had for the 30 buck, and when I asked if he could do them twice (incase the first recruiter/school dropped me) he said that he'd make 3 in case i needed another one later. All for the same fee.

Unfortunately most employers here have no real standards for accepting teachers. Sad, but true. The only standards are the legal one - BA degree from a list of 7 countries, born in one of those 7 countries. Other than that, as long as you have a pulse, you're qualified.

[Skippy]

For the love of Zeus. Please get more than one transcript - sealed. Get 5 or 10. All it takes is one ignorant recruiter, school staff, or government official to screw up your transcript. Setting you on a quick hectic journey to getting another sealed one.

So get one verified by your local Canadian Korean Consulate. And get a couple more sealed ones.

[withgusto]

Skippy

That's good advice. I wasn't assuming you should only prepare 1, but 10???

Are there additional costs for more than one transcript, from others' experiences? I want to start the process now, so that I save time. I am currently out of my home country. Gracias.

[GDT]

Hey folks,

Actually I'm in the same boat as withgusto which I why I started this. I could really use the advice.

I'm in Bangkok looking for a Korean job from here. I can get someone to pick up the sealed transcripts for me. So once a recruiter/schools accepts me, what is the fastest/most efficient way to get everyone what they want? I mean, I can kick around a hotel here for a while but I'd rather not.

Must I get the transcripts notarized in Canada?

Can I get the transcripts delivered to me personally and then fly to Korea?

What a hassle! Thanks everyone!

GDT

[ttompatz]

[GDT]

[Troglodyte]

It looks that way. The rule on getting an interview in your home country at a Korean consulate hasn't changed. You are still officially required to do that. BUT a few people have recently got a first time E2 visa in Japan without going home for the interview. If you wan to try that route, go ahead. It's a gamble though. Before committing to that option, have your school-to-be call the Korean embassy and consulates in Japan (or in Thailand if that's where you currently are) and see if it's ok. In that case, have your school pay for your trip to Korea. That way if they were lazy and didn't really check it out, then THEY have flipped the bill for your unneeded trip to Korea.

The procedure above for documents isn't complete either. For Canadians, the process is no longer just that you need the degree and CRC certified at the Korean consulate. First you get those documents notarised. THEN you get them certified. In order to certify your diploma you'll need to give the consulate a copy of your sealed university transcripts. They won't give them back (they keep them on file for a while). I'm not sure if they allow someone else to get something certified for you. They asked to see my ID when I got mine certified.

So.... you will need AT LEAST 2 copies of your transcripts (immigration will also need a copy). And you should get 2 more copies just in case you have any problems with the first school/recruiter and want to switch before you get your visa.

NEVER send an original degree. Give them a copy. When you get the copy notarised, get them to make 3 copies. The price will probably be the same as 1 copy. Same with the CRC. In fact, you can get 3 CRCs for the same price as one. Get the fast one. The elaborate one that Canada uses for teachers (that checks if you're a pedo or something) is not needed, and take about 3-4 weeks to get. The simple one takes 5 minutes. Just say that you're sending applications to 3 different recruiters, they'll make you more than one CRC, on the spot. At the notary public/lawyer/JP office, get them to notarise all 3 CRCs, and to make 3 notarised copies of your diploma. At the Consulate you will need to give them a copy of the transcripts (sealed) and then they'll certify the diploma. Get all 3 certified at the same time. If not, then you'll need another transcript if you come back tomorrow to get another copy certified.