kgsp scholarship tips – GKS Scholarship

GKS Scholarship, Global Korea Scholarship or KGSP (Korean Government Scholarship) is a fully funded scholarship that covers not only your tuition fee but also supports your monthly stipend (~$1000), health insurance, settlement allowance and Korean language training. The process of winning this scholarship is not easy, as it is considered one of the most prestigious and competitive scholarships globally. In this blog post, we will discuss 5 GKS Scholarship tips to help you increase your chances of receiving the Global Korea Scholarship.

Disclaimer:

Please note that we are only suggesting you some of these GKS Scholarship tips to help improve your chances of being awarded the Global Korea Scholarship. The are our personal opinions and do not guarantee selection or admission.

GKS Scholarship Tips # 1: Planning Ahead

One important tip is to ensure that you plan ahead in order to avoid stressing out at the last minute.

When it comes to the application process for the GKS Scholarship, it is crucial to give it your full attention and dedication, as it involves a lengthy process and requires a significant amount of documentation. To ensure that you are adequately prepared, I recommend starting the application process at least 2-3 months before the deadline.

This will allow you sufficient time to gather all the necessary documents, such as letters of recommendation, transcripts, proof of citizenship for both you and your parents, and English proficiency test results (if required). It’s worth noting that the quality of your application is greatly influenced by the amount of time you have to prepare.

Tip # 2: Stand Out in Personal Statement

This has to be one of the most important GKS Scholarship tips. Imagine you have to go through 10,000 applications and each one of it starts with the same format, for example

I am ABC and was born in XYZ. My purpose in applying for the Global Korea Scholarship is to further my academic and professional goals in the field of International Relations. I am deeply interested in the diverse and complex relationships between nations, and I believe that the opportunity to study in Korea will provide me with a unique perspective and valuable skills that will contribute to my future career.

You see if every other Personal Statment has the same style and kind of the same wordings, you won’t stand out. So, make sure to start your personal statement with something unique, it could be a quote or a famous saying for example.

Disclaimer: Once again, remember that these tips are our personal opinions and only intended to enhance your chances of being selected for the Global Korea Scholarship. However, it is important to note that following these tips does not guarantee admission or selection.

GKS Scholarship Tips # 3: GPA Chart

According to the NIIED’s guidelines on the GKS Scholarship, all the applicants must meet the following requirements:

Score percentile should be 80% or above on a 100-point scale or be ranked in the top 20% of one’s class
CGPA must be equal to or above 2.64/4.0, 2.80/4.3, 2.91/4.5 or 3.23/5.0

The Global Korea Scholarship i.e GKS Scholarship only considers GPA conversion scales ranging from 4.0 to 5.0. If your university uses this scale, you can fill out the form in the usual manner.

If your transcript does not have score percentile, refer to Appendix A. GPA Conversion Table to convert your CGPA into 100 points scale.

Applicants must submit an academic transcript with CGPA or ranking information
If a transcript does not provide CGPA in any one of the accepted GPA scales (4.0, 4.3, 4.5, 5.0 or 100 point scale), then the applicant must submit a transcript converted into one of the above GPA scales as a supplementary document.

Tip # 4: Additional points for Languages

Do you know, as per the NIIED guidelines for the GKS Scholarship, starting in 2024, applicants will receive additional points based on language proficiency in Korean and English

Korean: points will be given to applicants with valid TOPIK certificate based on their TOPIK level
English: points will be given to applicants with valid English proficiency certificate based on their test scores (TOEFL, TOEIC, IELTS, etc.)

More details: How to apply for GKS Scholarship

GKS Scholarship Tips # 5: Extracurricular Activities

One of another important GKS Scholarship tips is that always mention any extracurricular activities that you are good at. We believe that participating in extracurricular activities can significantly enhance an applicant’s chances of being awarded the GKS Scholarship for Korea.

Beyond academic achievements and qualifications, extracurricular activities demonstrate a student’s versatility and well-roundedness, which are highly valued by scholarship committees. Involvement in activities such as sports, music, community service, or leadership roles not only showcases a student’s talents and interests but also reflects their dedication and commitment to personal growth and development.

Additionally, extracurricular activities offer opportunities for students to build social and cultural competencies, which are essential for succeeding in an international program like the GKS Scholarship. Therefore, applicants should highlight their extracurricular involvement and achievements in their application to showcase their unique qualities and strengths that set them apart from other candidates.

Visit the link below for the official notice announced on the StudyinKorea website

GKS 2023 Official Notice

You can download the important documents by clicking the following links:

To find out how to apply for the Global Korea Scholarship 2023 for the undergraduate degree, click here.

We wish you the best of luck and hope to see you in South Korea one day.