Applying

For those of you that are curious about the application process for EPIK, the time line, etc.... I will be updating this page until I actually arrive in the school that I am placed in and begin teaching. As a disclaimer, this may not be accurate for everyone, it only reflects my personal timeline for my application to EPIK. I would definitely suggest that you apply for your background check long before you have an interview with EPIK (I waited until I had received an interview with EPIK, I highly recommend you NOT do this. If you are adamant about going to Korea, you will need your background check anyway. Do it early!)


Late March: Signed up for the online ITTT TEFL course ($295)
August 16th: Requested 2 letters of recommendation
Late August/Early September: Received letters of recommendation in mail
October 24th: Submitted application to EPIK
Mid-Late October: Attempt 1 and 2 at fingerprints
October 29th: First interview set for October 31th at 8:20pm
October 30th: Request interview reschedule (due to work)
October 31st: Fingerprints completed $5 and sent background check request $6

November 2nd: Fingerprints and background check delivered

November 7th: Rescheduled interview for November 12th at 8:10pm
November 12th/13th: Interview via Skype
November 14th: Requested 4 sealed copies of transcript $14
November 16th: Received interview results- I've successfully passed!
November 20th: Received transcripts in mail
December 17th: Received background check (technically I received it while I was on vacation)
December 18th: Sent background check and diploma to be apostilled (using usauthentications.com- $70 for 2 overnight envelopes with UPS, $122 for expediting service)
December 26th: Revise application
December 28th: Received apostilled background check and diploma
December 28th: Passport photos ($12)
December 28th: Gather and copy all documents ($6) and sent off all paperwork to EPIK ($92)
December 30th/January 1st: Documents received in Seoul at EPIK office
January 8th: Receive confirmation from ITTT that TESOL Certification is finished
January 14th: Received very nice "Checking in, but no placement yet" email from EPIK coordinator
January 17th: Receive scan of certificate via email, hard copy sent out via DHL ($50)
January 21st: Receive DAEGU placement!!!
January 23rd: Received contract and NOA via FedEx
January 23rd: Bought one way ticket to South Korea ($971-- EPIK provides you with a refund though)
January 24th: Began EPIK Pre-Orientation course
January 25th: Send out visa application ($45 money order, $38 for the shipping and return envelope)
January 31st: Sent out 8802 form ($85) (I recommend you doing this MUCH earlier)
February 2nd: Receive Visa
February 4th: Received an email from the girl I will be replacing via Facebook
February 5th-13th: Prepare for trip
February 14th: Depart for Korea!
February 15th: Arrive in Seoul
February 20th: Transport to Daejeon to begin Orientaiton
February 21st- 27th: Orientation
February 28th: Move to Daegu! Meet handler (co-teacher) and Principal, move into apartment
March 4th: First day of school

Running cost: $1,811 (don't forget you get an arrival bonus when you get to Korea that serves to hekp cover the cost of your plane ticket, mine was roughly $1,300, this total is a give or take figure)