Preparation Tips : Application and Supporting Documents

1. General
o Submitted documents will NOT be returned in any case. Keep a copy of the completed
form in case the materials get lost in the mail. Your teachers should do the same. The
application fee is non-refundable.
o All documents submitted must be original. If a duplicate is submitted, it must be
authenticated with the seal of the issuing institution. Simply photocopied documents will not
be considered valid.
o All documents should be translated in English or Korean. The translated copy should
have a seal of the institution as well.
o After completing your online application, print out the completed form and the
document checklist. Arrange documents in the order as shown in ‘Document Checklist.’ Please
use clips to bind the contents and do not staple. The checklist should be on the top.
o Please put date and signature on documents properly.
o Certain documents can be sent separately from the application package, such as letter
of recommendation, diploma, transcripts, and EPT, if the producer of the document wishes to
send it directly to KAIST. (Although sent independently, all documents should arrive by the
deadline.)
o If any of the submitted materials contain false information, admission may be
rescinded.
o Admitted students may not defer enrollment to a later semester. Those who wish to
defer enrollment must reapply.
o Please note that KAIST only issues the Certificate of Admissions for Student VISA
(type:D2) application for the admitted students (including information on submitting the
Confirmation Number of Visa Issuance for Chinese students.)
o A high volume of connections is anticipated on the deadline. It is recommended to
complete the application prior to the deadline.
o Applicants whose forms and supporting documents are incomplete or unsatisfactory
will be disqualified from the admissions process.
o The admissions staff reserves the right to require additional documents from the
applicant, if in need, to verify the authenticity of submitted materials.
o Please submit all required documents as soon as possible, so that we can get a head
start on processing your application file; however, early submission does not advantage or
disadvantage your application in any way.
o Send your application package via mail by Apr 30th, 2010 to the following address:
Admissions Management Team at KAIST
335 Science Road, Yuseong-gu Daejeon 305-701 Republic of Korea
Phone: (+82-42) 350-2352
Fax : (+82-42) 350-2420
e-mail : [email protected]
2. Document Check List : Check all documents you put into the 'Admission Package'
3. Application Form
o After filling out and submitting the online application at http://admission.kaist.ac.kr,
please print out the completed application, put date and your signature on the hardcopy, and
send it to KAIST along with other necessary documents.
o All information on this form will be used to contact you later if needed. Please fill out
carefully.
o Contacting Information : Please provide an active e-mail address & phone number. We
will contact you via e-mail and call you for an interview.
o Fields of Interests : Please choose three fields of study from the list of academic
programs at KAIST. (Note: This question is given for us to know you better. Freshmen will take
general courses such as mathematics and physics to help students pursue their higher
education at KAIST without declaring their major for three semesters after being admitted.)
o English Proficiency Test : Only scores of official TOEFL, TOEIC, TEPS, or IELTS tests are
accepted. The test date on the certificates should not be older than two years as from the
deadline of online application. Candidates whose native language is English are exempt from
submitting the certificate. Candidates who have studied more than two years at a secondary
institution where the primary language of instruction is English can replace the certificate by
an attestation issued by the institution authority.
※ Institution Code for KAIST for TOEFL score report: 0195
o Education : List the names and other necessary information of the secondary and post-
secondary (tertiary) schools you have attended or are attending in chronological order. In
addition to the school information, please provide your rank (in the form of ‘your rank /
graduating class size’ and/or ‘within top ( )%’) and Cumulative GPA rounded off to three
decimal places (earned / full mark, such as 3.86 / 4.30 or 89.77/100).
o College Scholastic Aptitude Tests : If you have taken any college scholastic aptitude
tests such as SAT I, SAT II, ACT, GCE, IB, NCEA, or national/international-level secondary
education leaving examination, please fill the table accordingly. If you have not obtained the
official score yet, please leave it blank. The official score report of each test should also be sent
to KAIST by the deadline. In case of national-level secondary education leaving examination,
please provide the rating system along with the certificate of your test result. We prefer by far
the internationally well-known test results such as SAT I & SATⅡ.
o Extra-curricular Activity : Please list your principal extracurricular, community, and
volunteer activities in the order of their interests to you. (up to four items)
o Work Experience : Please list your principal work experience and paid jobs in the order
of their interests to you. (up to four items)
o Academic Reference : This application includes two Letters of Recommendation: one
from your homeroom teacher/school counselor/academic advisor, and the other one from your
math/science teacher of secondary and/or post-secondary (tertiary) school you have attended
or are attending. To help us check for completeness of your application, please provide us
information on the two teachers who will write recommendation letters for you.
o Writing : To convey information about yourself and your accomplishments, please write
detailed and accurate statement of your purpose and objective in pursuing your study at
KAIST, experiences which will show us your creativity, leadership skills, and potential, and
talents and interests, etc.
4. Statement of Financial Resources
o This form should describe the person or organization that will cover your tuition, fee,
and other expenses.
o All Applicants who select “Applying for Organization/Firm/Government” should attach a
notarized certificate of sponsorship.
o All Applicants who select “Self-support” or “Parental/Individual sponsor” should attach
a bank statement showing the capacity to meet educational expenses at KAIST.
※ Note: KAIST Scholarship – KAIST offers scholarships to international students. The amount
and conditions are set prior to students’ enrollment by the KAIST Scholarship Committee based
on the merit of the applicant. Those who are eligible will receive scholarship that will exempt
an incoming international student from paying tuition (~ USD 5400/semester) and fees
(~USD1400/semester), Students will also receive monthly allowances of KRW 300,000 every
month.
5. Letter of Recommendation
o This application requires two Letters of Recommendation: one from homeroom
teacher/school counselor/academic advisor, and the other one from math/science teacher of
the secondary or post-secondary (tertiary) schools the applicant has attended or is attending.
o After filling the first box of the form and adding your signature and date, please send it
to your reference who will write recommendation letter for you.
o Letters should be signed and sealed across the back by the recommenders in an
official envelope.
6. Transcripts, Graduation Certificates, degree Certificates
o These documents explain your academic achievements and are required from
secondary and post-secondary (tertiary) institutions that the applicant has attended in the past
or is attending.
o Transcripts must provide a record of the courses which the applicant has taken in each
year of study.
7. College Scholastic Aptitude Test(CSAT)
o Official score report of SAT I, SAT II, ACT, GCE, IB, NCEA, or any other
national/international -level secondary education leaving examination. You do not have to
submit the secondary education leaving examination result if your examination date is later
than Apr. 23rd, 2010. In case of national-level secondary education leaving examination,
please provide the rating system along with the certificate of your test result. We prefer by far
the internationally well-known test results such as SAT I & SATⅡ.
8. Curriculum Vitae
o A personal resume showing comprehensive educational history and experience
9. Remittance of Application Fee&Copy of Receipt of the Remittance
o Once you complete filling out the online application, you will be asked to pay the
application fee. You may choose one the followings.
- Bank transfer: Please transfer KRW 50,000 to the temporary bank account that is provided
through online.
- Credit card: Please put in your credit card No, valid date, etc and pay US 50.
o Please make sure that your application can NOT be accepted if you do not pay for the
application fee.
10. Copy of Passport/National ID
o We need a copy of your current passport/National ID for identification purposes and to
issue the Certificate of Admissions later.
o The expiration date on the passport should be later than Aug 31st 2010.
11. Awards, Honors, Prizes, Merits, Distinction, or Decoration
o If you have obtained any honors or awards during your secondary and/or tertiary
education, please list them in order of importance in the table provided. Each item in the list
will be considered valid only when respective testimonial/evidence is submitted. Those of
school/local level will not be given credit.
Other materials that show candidate’s academic excellence, potential, leadership, and
creativity will be selectively considered.
12. School Profile and Credit Rating System
o Please attach your school profile so that we can understand your school better. Each
country and each school has its own rating system. Make sure to indicate the rating system.
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Undergraduate Admissions Selection Criteria
Candidates will be considered without respect to race, color, religion, national origin, disability, or
gender. Selection is performed by KAIST Admission Commission on the basis of merit, capability,
and academic excellence:
• Academic excellence in scientific and technical subjects
• Leadership and potential
• Outstanding performance (Honors, Awards, Decoration, etc.) in scientific subjects (i.e.
Olympiad, etc.)
• Proficiency in written and spoken English
• Creative and innovative research plan
• Personal development plan
• Outstanding research capability