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South Korea Admissions

Personal Statements and Recommendation Letters for South Korea

Korean universities ask you to write about your reasons, preparation and plans, often on their own form. Some graduate programmes also ask for recommendation letters.

Example Statement Planner

Example
Personal statement (also called a statement of purpose, SOP)Written on the university's own form
Letter of recommendationSome graduate programmes ask for them

Example: Yonsei personal statement parts

1

Motivation for applying

2

Personal development

3

Understanding Korean culture

4

Other information (optional)

Example
Example: Yonsei sets word limits for each part (180, 600, 300 and 300 words).
What Korean Universities Ask For

Most Korean universities ask for a personal statement or statement of purpose. Each university sets its own questions and word limits.

Statement of Purpose (SOP)
  • Yonsei: written on its own form, in Korean or English.
  • Korea University's bachelor's statement of purpose is filled in on the online application.
  • Word limits for each part (Yonsei).
Letter of Recommendation (LOR)
  • Korea University and Yonsei do not ask bachelor's applicants for letters.
  • At KAIST, graduate recommenders (the teachers or bosses who write your letters) submit them online and can change them only until the deadline.

How Universities Use Your Statement

Your reasons

Why this university and this major.

Your preparation

How you got ready to study abroad.

Writing Your Statement

Answer each question the university asks, in order, within its word limit.

Essential Components of a Strong SOP

1

Motivation for applying

Why you chose this university and this department or major. Yonsei: 180 words or less.

Avoid:Ever since I was a child, I have always wanted to study in South Korea because K-Pop is so cool.
2

Personal development

How you prepared to succeed as an international student. Yonsei: 600 words or less.

3

Understanding Korean culture

Examples from your own life of how Korean culture differed from yours, and how you would handle problems that come from that. Yonsei: 300 words or less.

4

Other information

What you did since school, if you graduated earlier, and anything else you want to share. Yonsei: 300 words or less.

Rules to Follow

Length & Format

  • Stay within each word limit.
  • Use the university's own form.

Writing Style

  • Write it yourself. At Yonsei, a statement that is false, copied or written by someone else is rejected.
  • Do not write about your parents, their jobs or their money. Yonsei may judge you badly for it.
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Recommendation Letters

Some graduate programmes ask for letters. Check your programme's list.

Working With Your Recommenders

Asking for Recommendations

  1. 1
    Ask early

    Give your recommender time before the deadline.

  2. 2
    Know the deadline

    At KAIST, a recommender can change a letter only until the deadline.

Get Expert Guidance on LORs
Common Mistakes

Mistakes that can cost you a place.

Common Questions

Short answers about statements and letters.

Need help planning your answers? Talk to our team.

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Writing Help

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We help you answer each university's own questions clearly, in your own words, within the word limits.

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