Applying to EPIK

So a lot of people on the EPIK page have been asking a lot of questions and I decided to answer them in my blog because I applied too. First things first: i do NOT have all of my documents, but the one I do need will be mentioned here. When i get those sent in, I will have to wait for my placement.


This advice is mostly for Americans, but if you're from other countries, I can so some research for you.

There are several steps to the application. For starters, before you even send in your application, request your CRC. Your CRC is your criminal record (or background) check. It takes the longest time. If you're going to wait for the new (fall) term, request it directly from the FBI by sending your fingerprints to the FBI and paying the $18 fee. it takes 2-3 months. That's why I suggest that people who are applying for the fall get it now. A CRC is good for 6 months. This way, you can have everything ready to send out if you get invited to the program.

If you're applying just now for the spring, I recommend you use an approved FBI channeler. Channelers can expedite the process. It's a lot more expensive, but if you're on a time crunch, you literally have no other choice. I have more on applying for Channelers while here in Korea as I've recently done it myself, but I'll save that for my next post. If you want links to these channelers, click here: https://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/identity-history-summary-checks/list-of-fbi-approved-channelers

Also, contact 2 figures of authority who can write you a letter of recommendation. This could be your boss, or your professor at university. This person should know you well as a worker. If you taught in Korea, one letter of recommendation HAS To be from your mentor teacher. The letters can be in either Korean or English, and they must have an official letterhead indicating a company or school.

Next, do the application. Fill it out faithfully and completely. During your interview, they will tell you if you did anything wrong, so you can fix that. Use the NEW application. DO not use ones from previous terms. The application will get rejected if you do. The application changes every semester for various reasons that I can't even begin to fathom. For TaLK scholars, you can use TaLK as your teaching experience, but be sure to emphasize it was with the TaLK program. TaLK is not full-time, but it counts as level 2 pay-grade.

Send in your letters of recommendation and application. It will take a while for EPIK to get back to you because they have only a few people (up to 10) sifting through hundreds of applications, but they will get back to you. While waiting, get everything else you need. If you don't have a passport, you can apply for a passport at most post offices and you can get your passport photo taken there too. Passports also take up to a month, but you can expedite it for more cash. It costs $110 minimum to get a passport. The photo costs another $15. If you want expedited processing, it will take 3 weeks and cost $60. If you want overnight delivery, you'll have to pay overnight fees, about $20. There's also an execution fee of $25. For a better breakdown, please refer to this link: http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/passports/apply.html

Next it would be a good idea to get your transcripts and apostilled diploma. The transcripts are easy. You just have to request them from your school. You can check your school website on how to do that. I suggest you get a hard copy, as emails will not by accepted by EPIK because they are protected. DO NOT OPEN YOUR TRANSCRIPTS. They want them sealed.

The more difficult one is an apostilled diploma. You have to already have your original diploma and you have to make a copy (scan it) and then get it notarized. You can get most things notarized easily. I got mine notarized at a UPS store. It would be good to research places near you that handle notaries. After you get your copy notarized, send it to your secretary of state with an application and the fee. You can find details on your secretary of state website. My fee was under $40, but as it was a while ago, I don't remember the exact price.

For your proof of level 2 pay-grade, you have a few options. For TaLK scholars like myself, you need 1 year as a TaLK scholar. That's it. For others, you need a TEFL or CELTA/DELTA certificate. There are plenty of online options, but you need a minimum 120 hours to be on the safe side. For Busan, they require about 150 hours. If you had an in-class experience, that would be much better. Also, you may need 1 year of full-time teaching experience. You can get this from your school's admin office.

In my next post, I'll tell you what to do with your passport, how to apply for your CRC while overseas, and what to do after you get your interview. This post will be up in a few hours.

If you have any questions, please comment below and I'll see what I can dig up.