Transcripts
The transcript, sometimes referred to as an “academic record,” is a very important factor in the admissions review process as it provides a numerical context to assess the past performance and predict the future potential of the student.
The transcript also reveals to admissions officers the curriculum and educational system from which the student is transferring from. In this regard, boarding schools are especially interested in the past two year of the student’s achievement for the purposes of evaluating how well the student might adjust to the boarding school’s curriculum and, if admitted, how to plan the student’s future course of study.
In preparing the student’s transcript/s, the parent should note that boarding schools accept English language transcripts only. Some Korean schools issue English language transcripts, in which case the parent should insist the transcript be an official copy and sealed in an envelope. The parent may then courier the sealed transcript directly to the boarding school admissions.
Should an English language transcript be unavailable, then it is necessary to have the transcript translated wherein the translation is attested by a school official.
In translating the transcript, it is imperative that it be a true, word-by-word translation of the original Korean text. For example, if the student’s grades are in a 100-point scale, then the English language translation should also be in a 100-point scale. Or, if the student’s grades are in a Su/Wu/Mi/Yang/Ga scale, then the translation should likewise indicate such scale.
While it is noted many schools that utilize Su/Wu/Mi/Yang/Ga scale tend to offer a conversion to the American A/B/C/D/F scale, parents should note that English translation need be a true, word-by-word translation unless otherwise indicated by a school official.
In the end, differences in scale are not too important so long as the prospective boarding school in question has had prior experience evaluating Korean academic records.
The transcript, sometimes referred to as an “academic record,” is a very important factor in the admissions review process as it provides a numerical context to assess the past performance and predict the future potential of the student.
The transcript also reveals to admissions officers the curriculum and educational system from which the student is transferring from. In this regard, boarding schools are especially interested in the past two year of the student’s achievement for the purposes of evaluating how well the student might adjust to the boarding school’s curriculum and, if admitted, how to plan the student’s future course of study.
In preparing the student’s transcript/s, the parent should note that boarding schools accept English language transcripts only. Some Korean schools issue English language transcripts, in which case the parent should insist the transcript be an official copy and sealed in an envelope. The parent may then courier the sealed transcript directly to the boarding school admissions.
Should an English language transcript be unavailable, then it is necessary to have the transcript translated wherein the translation is attested by a school official.
In translating the transcript, it is imperative that it be a true, word-by-word translation of the original Korean text. For example, if the student’s grades are in a 100-point scale, then the English language translation should also be in a 100-point scale. Or, if the student’s grades are in a Su/Wu/Mi/Yang/Ga scale, then the translation should likewise indicate such scale.
While it is noted many schools that utilize Su/Wu/Mi/Yang/Ga scale tend to offer a conversion to the American A/B/C/D/F scale, parents should note that English translation need be a true, word-by-word translation unless otherwise indicated by a school official.
In the end, differences in scale are not too important so long as the prospective boarding school in question has had prior experience evaluating Korean academic records.
The transcript, sometimes referred to as an “academic record,” is a very important factor in the admissions review process as it provides a numerical context to assess the past performance and predict the future potential of the student.
The transcript also reveals to admissions officers the curriculum and educational system from which the student is transferring from. In this regard, boarding schools are especially interested in the past two year of the student’s achievement for the purposes of evaluating how well the student might adjust to the boarding school’s curriculum and, if admitted, how to plan the student’s future course of study.
In preparing the student’s transcript/s, the parent should note that boarding schools accept English language transcripts only. Some Korean schools issue English language transcripts, in which case the parent should insist the transcript be an official copy and sealed in an envelope. The parent may then courier the sealed transcript directly to the boarding school admissions.
Should an English language transcript be unavailable, then it is necessary to have the transcript translated wherein the translation is attested by a school official.
In translating the transcript, it is imperative that it be a true, word-by-word translation of the original Korean text. For example, if the student’s grades are in a 100-point scale, then the English language translation should also be in a 100-point scale. Or, if the student’s grades are in a Su/Wu/Mi/Yang/Ga scale, then the translation should likewise indicate such scale.
While it is noted many schools that utilize Su/Wu/Mi/Yang/Ga scale tend to offer a conversion to the American A/B/C/D/F scale, parents should note that English translation need be a true, word-by-word translation unless otherwise indicated by a school official.
In the end, differences in scale are not too important so long as the prospective boarding school in question has had prior experience evaluating Korean academic records.
Exams
Many students wanting to study abroad are frequently discouraged due to their lack of English proficiency. Indeed, almost all private schools require students to possess a reasonable degree of proficiency in English, and therefore their admissions requirements generally require international students to submit the results of a standardized English proficiency examination such as TOEFL or IELTS.
Worldwide, the most common standardized examination is the TOEFL which is administered by the U.S. based testing agency ETS. As such, most, if not all, private schools following a U.S. college preparatory curriculum will require prospective applicants to submit a TOEFL score. On the other hand, schools that follow a U.K. curriculum (often schools in the U.K. or the British Commonwealth) require IELTS. Furthermore, certain schools, regardless of location, may require the iTEP or Duo Lingo examinations. It is essential that students inquire far ahead of time as to the standardized English proficiency exam requirements of their prospective schools.
Further to English proficiency exams, U.S. bound students are often required to take the Secondary School Admission Test (SSAT) which are U.S. private schools almost always require for all their prospective applicants (international or otherwise). The SSAT evaluates a student’s basic aptitude in English language (verbal and reading) and Math.
As the above tests and their respective preparation methods are well known in Korea, it is expected that students and the parents will prepare for such exams accordingly. However, it is important to reiterate the importance in researching each private school’s examination requirements ahead of time as well as allowing sufficient time for students to prepare, take, and report test scores to each school.