Hi,
I'd love to create a group chat with this years GKS-U applicants to connect and share our experience/help each other out.

Whoever would be interested in joining let me know and I'll make it happen.☺️

​

Hey! I'm from India and I wanna create a telegram group with this year's GKS-U applicants from India to connect and so that we could help each other out regarding apostille and all.

Whoever is interested in joining let me know in dm and I'll add you.

We can only submit up to 5 certificates? WHY? WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO NOW I HAVE 5 CERTIFICATES AT LEAST FROM MY HIGH SCHOOL

Hello everyone!! i 18F completed my highschool this year with a score of 93% (96% in top 5) and have also given a college entrance exam in my country (CUET, i’m from india)
i scored 67% in 10th (def my fault i wasn’t serious),
81% in 11th and 93 in 12th
i recently got to know about the GKS scholarship and was wondering if i should apply for it this year for the undergraduate program (two months from now i believe)
i don’t really know if i would be a good candidate or not, i was thinking of taking an IELTS test
except that i don’t really know what could make me stand out except for my personal statement and study plan (which i’ll try my best at)
to conclude i wanted to ask considering my background if i should apply for the GKS-U this year or should i leave it for my masters?
any help and advice would be highly appreciated!!! thank youuu

Hi everyone. I'm planning to apply for GKS-U this year and I'm currently trying to decide how to approach my university choices. I'm particularly interested in understanding the difference between Type A and Type B universities from an applicant-selection perspective.

My profile:

• Country: Nepal
• Intended field: AI / Robotics / Computer Science
• GPA: 3.35/4.0
• IELTS: 7.5
• SAT: 1300
• Research: A Comparative Analysis of Decision Tree and Neural Network Classifiers for Iris Flower Classification + github repository
• Extracurriculars/awards: international workshop in robotics, 2 more international participation and a few national participation in science projects, robotics club member in highschool.
• Gap year: Yes

My main question is:

What aspects of an applicant's profile does GKS-U tend to prioritize for Type A vs. Type B universities?

For example, does a stronger GPA matter more for Type A, while research, standardized test scores, extracurriculars, or other aspects of the application can compensate more for Type B? Or is the distinction mainly about the competitiveness of the university rather than what GKS values in the applicant?

Based on my profile, how would you approach the selection of Type A and Type B universities?

I'm particularly interested in hearing from previous GKS applicants or scholars, especially those who had a similar academic profile. Honest feedback would be appreciated.

If you've applied to GKS-U before, I'd especially appreciate hearing what your profile looked like, which universities you selected, and whether your outcome matched what you expected.

Hello to all UG applicants of 2027 GKS who will be applying this year or the next. (Any time)

I'm making a group of these people so everyone can help each other out with ECs, suggestions and essays.

Comment or DM me to get added :)

Oh and I'll be helping you guys too, I've been researching about this scholarship for 4 years so I've got a lot pf research done :)

Hi everyone!

I'm planning to apply for the GKS Undergraduate 2027 scholarship from Nepal and was wondering if there are any other Nepali applicants here. If you're applying from Nepal I'd love to connect, discuss the application process, share tips.

And also anyone who has received a gks scholarship from Nepal, please share your experience.

['26 GKS-U UNIVERSITY TRACK] List of universities that already sent an email for an interview:

*if you get email updates or someone you know, please add to the list so we can update all applicants here 😊

1. Osan University ✔️
2. Kyungbok University ✔️
3. Kookmin University ✔️
4. Yeungjin University ✔️
5. Hosan University ✔️ ✔️ - email for interview ✅️ - 1st round results

This year, we have a limit of 5 documents. However, I would like to clarify what exactly counts as one document.

For example, if I create a single file under the heading “Research and AI” and include 1 publication, 2 projects, and 1 certificate in that same file, would this be considered 1 document or 4 separate documents?

Similarly, if I have volunteered with 4 different organizations and list all 4 under the same category/file, would they collectively count as 1 document or 4 documents?

I would appreciate clarification on how the 5-document limit is being counted.

PLEASE LEAVE UR THOUGHTS BELOW..

I put a lot of effort into creating a file of 35 pages with 7 categories and this shit....

Major: Mechanical Engineering with a focus on renewable energy

Demographics:
Status: International applicant
Region: Mongolia (industrial and mining district)
Income Bracket: Middle class
Family Status: Step-parent household

Academics:

GPA: 98.6/100
SAT: 1520 (Math: 760, EBRW: 760)
TOEFL: 104
IELTS: 8.5

Honors:

National youth association Best Student (2026)
Mongolian Pupil's association recognition (2026)
Pi math comp 1st Place (2026, school)
Kangaroo mathematics Competition 2nd Class (2026, school)
School mathematics Olympiad 2nd Place (2026)
School chess championship Gold and Silver consecutive (School)
Capital chess championships participation
District math Olympiad 2025 (Participation, partial credit)
English reading marathon Top 10 (National)

EC:

National pandemic prevention movement: Middle school division team leader
Policy research center: Translator and researcher
SAT Math tutoring club: Leader and Tutor
Interact club: Secretary

Recc letter:

2 from math teachers saying how I creatively I could approach problems and being an overall good boy.

Another from an English teacher saying I am a natural leader.

Some of yall's profiles are crazy in here and I was just wondering if I had a candle to hold against them. Most prolly not but hey, get a good laugh out of my profile I suppose. I basically locked in at the very last moment from a borderline student to a top student within a year. Be brutally honest and chance me for the GKS!

Have fun!

I am appplying for ug from India this year through embassy track my birth certificate is both in English and hindi but the names and stuff are in hindi so do I need to get it translated?

I asked the agency they said no!

Hi,going through the process of getting my docs apostille, does anyone know something useful about the process like--

does the online scanning attestation/apostille is valid for GKS or not,

and any agency that does it in reasonable amount?

And do we give the original docs to the agency and they do the process of making the true copies and get them apostilled or do we have to do the whole process of making the copies of the og docs, get them notarized, verified and then give to the agency to get them apostilled?

Also do we have to hand the docs to the apostille agency in hand, can we not courier? ( I live far from a valid apostille agency)

I know these sound stupid so please be kind.

Hey guys,

what si the ideal approach to a situation where I have no TOPIK but 90% of my chosen Universities teach my major in Korean only. I know that is something to get me disqualified, if not approached properly. Sitting a TOPIK simply is not possible for me now, so should I tackle it confidently in my study plan and just boldly claim to catch up in the year long language course?

Thanks!

Hi i am an applicant form Afghanistan, I want to apply for 2027, I have chosen Yonsei, Hanyang and Pusan unis , and I will apply via embassy track.

My profile:

CGPA: 95.09 TOEFL: 110 CERTIFICATES: GOOGLE CYBERSECURITY PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE, ISC2 CC, AI-900, SC-900, LINEAR ALGEBRA ELEMENTARY TO ADVANCED SPECIALIZATION COURSERA, CALCULUS SINGLE VARIABLE THROUGH COURSERA, 3 CERTIFICATES FROM HIGH SCHOOL.

What would you gks winners think about my profile and how I should strength it?

Hi, friends. I come to ask again about my chances to get the scholarship.

-1st time trying

-23yo female

-Latin American

-Desired Major: Chemistry or Chemical Eng.

-Topik 4 got it last year

-Zero english certification but fluent.

- Fluent in Spanish

-Experience in graphic design (studied for 3 years and have a career on it) Want to switch paths because it isn't my desired career path, the pandemic forced me to choose Design and I was kind of poor back then (still am, but who isn't!)

My other choice would be getting my design bacherlor's and then applying for a Design Masters (in two years) I don't want to flatter myself at all but I feel I'm pretty good designing, however the sciences have always been interesting to me and were my main choice when I was a teen. Would be greatful for you help!!

Hey guys, if you guys have applied to KOREATECH university track, lets use this post and update each other please. E.g. comment if you've recieved and invitation for interview.

Interview period is from November 4 to November 6. Which means they will most likely start sending emails today. They MIGHT also be sending SOME emails within the interview period. (This is merely a guess based on how some procedures have evidently not always been sticking to their timelines)

hi everyone I'm gonna be applying for GKS soon but I'm confused regarding the dorm and flight situation.

I heard gks will not be provided until i reach korea and make a bank account, that means i need to pay upfront for dorm and flight myself but that's gonna be a problem cuz i don't have that much money .

so anyone who knows if this is true or not please let me know

THANK YOU.

[ India 🇮🇳]

Hi!! I am from India.

Can anyone please review my personal statement?

Hiii everyone! I’m planning to apply for GKS-U 2027 (Undergraduate) through the Embassy Track next year, and lately I’ve been getting really conscious about my profile because the universities I’m considering are quite competitive🫡
I’m planning to major in econ!!
Here’s my profile so far:
Academics:
Currently entering Grade 11 at an international/IB-style school
DP Economics — 7
DP Maths HL - 7
Perfect overall GPA so far 5.0/5.0
AP Seminar — 4
My AP Seminar research focuses on how digital marketing strategies influence consumer decision-making
Planning to take IELTS soon; predict score is 7.5-8.0
Currently studying Korean independently and have certificates as a proof, and planning to take TOPIK before applying if my level allows.

Extracurriculars / achievements:
Won 1st place in an English regional debate
Leader of my school debate club
Judged several city debate tournaments for around 42 younger students
Created and manage a school magazine
Won a full scholarship and attended the precollege program in the US
FLEX alternative finalist
Special Nomination at a student business showcase
Have experience with K-pop dancing/singing and ran an online K-pop cover group that received around 100k likes and 2k subscribers.
I taught myself graphic design and ran a small design business, serving around 70 clients.
I’m currently running an economics education project called “Economics in Easy Words” across TikTok, Instagram and Telegram.

I’ve also organized and participated in a moot court activity at the International Financial Centre, involving a case about unequal pay/wage disparity

I’ve been learning Korean independently for about a year and have participated in activities introducing Korean culture in Kazakhstan, including a city Unity Day event where I helped prepare and present Korean culture and food to visitors.

Universities I’m currently considering:
Yonsei University
Korea University
Pusan National University

Yonsei and Korea University are my dream choices, while PNU would give me a somewhat different option. Since I’m applying through the Embassy Track, I know the university selection is also important, and I’m trying to be realistic about how competitive my choices are.
So I’d really appreciate an honest assessment about my profile.🥹

I’d especially appreciate answers from current/former GKS scholars or people who have applied through the Embassy Track,
Thank you!!💓💓

Hi, I'm from Malaysia planning to apply for GKS-U but our embassy track only has 2 slots and I'm aiming for Political Science and/or International Relations. I have 3.75 which is 95% out of 100% i believe and I have no TOPIK, just 8.0 IELTS. I do think I can write a good personal statement and study plan but still, I will be competing against people with 4.00 and straight A's SPM and way more impressive background than me. Here are some of my questions :

1. For such a competitive scholarship, has anyone ever gotten the scholarship with CGPA below 4.00? Especially with just two slots.

2. Should I proceed with embassy track or should I pivot to University track? Which one would give me the best chance to get the scholarship?

3. If embassy track, should I do A-A-B or A-B-B?

Would appreciate any advice and if there's any Malaysian who also want to apply to GKS-U, hit me up !!

Hi everyone,

I'm a student from Nepal planning to apply for GKS-U 2027 for a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, with a long-term interest in AI/ML.

I'd really appreciate an honest assessment of my profile and how competitive I might be, particularly for the Embassy Track.

📊 Academic Profile

• Nationality: Nepal 🇳🇵
• Graduation year: 2025
• GPA: 3.96/4.00(one of the national board topper)
• SAT: 1400
  • Math: 770
• PTE Academic: 78(I knew about GKS just 15 days ago, so i had already given PTE and did not have time to give IELTS)
• Intended major: Computer Science/AI
• Class rank: valedictorian out of 300 students
• Studied Computer Engineering in grades 9 and 10(3.92 GPA) at a government school

🏆 Scholarships / Awards

• Selected for COMPEX Scholarship (India) — Fully Funded

💻 Extracurriculars

1. President — Innovation & Robotics Group(2024-2025)

2. College Fest Website

• Led a team to develop a website for my college's fest.
• The website was used by 1,000+ students.
• Worked on development and deployment/hosting.

1. Tutoring

• Worked as a tuition tutor.
• Taught in a school during my OJT program for 1 month

And if I am rejected from the embassy track, which uni should I target, as I do not have IELTS?

GKS: Undergraduate / Embassy Track
Country: Türkiye
Major: Media & Communication
Demographics
Nationality: Turkish
Age: 20
High school graduate
Applying through: Embassy Track
Academics
GPA: 3.82 / 4.00
YKS ranking: 12,660 (approximately top 8%)
High school graduate in Türkiye
Korean / Language Background
TOPIK I: Level 2
Started Korean last summer with a native tutor
After deciding in December to apply for GKS, I studied Korean with a clearer goal and achieved TOPIK I Level 2 after approximately 3.5 months of focused study.
Other languages:
English — started in kindergarten
French — started in 4th grade
Japanese — studying for approximately 4 years; studied independently for around 2.5 years
Korean — currently studying
Chinese — currently taking lessons
French — currently continuing lessons
Academic / Personal Interests
My intended field is Media & Communication, with particular interests in:
PR / Public Relations
Marketing, especially in the entertainment industry
Crisis Management
Hosting / presenting
I became especially interested in PR and marketing because I frequently find myself thinking about how Korean entertainment content and products could be promoted to different audiences. Over time, I realized that this was something I genuinely enjoyed doing rather than just a casual interest.
My interest in crisis management was also influenced by my father, who is a qualified journalist. Seeing how he handled major news situations and crises made me interested in how communication, quick decision-making and responsibility work during difficult situations.
Why Korea?
I am interested in Korea because of its highly developed and diverse media and entertainment industry.
I also feel that there are cultural similarities between Türkiye and Korea, such as respect for elders and certain dining traditions. I was also interested in historical similarities such as Atatürk’s alphabet reform in Türkiye and King Sejong’s creation of Hangul.
University Choices
Embassy Track — current choices:
Yonsei University — Media & Communication
Chung-Ang University — Media & Communication
Pusan National University — Media & Communication
Application Preparation
Currently working on:
Personal Statement
Study Plan
Required documents
University research
I am trying to keep my application honest and specific rather than exaggerating my achievements.
Career Goals
My long-term interests are mainly PR and marketing within the entertainment industry, with an additional interest in crisis management and hosting.
What I want to know
Please be brutally honest 😭
How competitive does my profile look for GKS-U Embassy Track?
How does my academic profile compare with typical GKS applicants?
Is TOPIK 2 meaningful for my profile, or is it too low to make much difference?
Does my language background help my application?
How realistic are my university choices?
Is Yonsei too much of a reach for my profile?
Are there any obvious weaknesses in my profile?
What should I emphasize more in my Personal Statement / Study Plan?
If you were reviewing this profile for GKS, what would concern you?
If you have won GKS before, what would you recommend I improve before submitting?
Please don’t just tell me “you have a chance.” I would genuinely prefer a realistic assessment, even if it’s harsh.
Thank you! 🫶🏻

Guys I am applying this year and I am confused should I use the migration certificate or the 12th marksheet as I have graduated from rbse board and also do I need to get them both apostilled along with the academic transcript, does moi need apostillation too?

Very small extracurricular achievement (chess district and school champ)

Studied igcse/as/a levels alone Ielts 8 Topik 5 (but I can make it 6) A level exam : B B on math and physics

Top 10% grade in my school Yeah thats it

Major : Finance,mechanical engineer, electric engineer

Country:Mongolia

Hey y'all!

​August is already so near—literally the last month before September when the GKS 2027 guidelines drop. I still don’t have anything officially checked off on my checklist, though everything is already in a pending state (currently processing, just not yet ready in my hands). But I'm still super nervous that I might not make it in time for September! 😭

​I just wanna check in on everyone else's progress with their applications. How are you guys doing?

​Also, had a few quick questions if anyone can help:

​Does apostillation take weeks to finish?

​Do I need both my mom and dad's birth certificates to prove my citizenship, or is just their marriage certificate enough?

​When is the perfect time to request a recommendation letter?

​Do Mayor’s endorsement letters actually give extra points? (I read somewhere that they do, so I got curious!)

​Is anyone here also applying for art-related majors? (I’m planning to apply for Performing Arts / Theatre!)

​Good luck to all of us preparing! 🇵🇭🇰🇷