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.
Pathways: Your stepping stones
Certain U.S. universities offer freshman (1st year) admissions to students that may not satisfy typical direct admissions requirements. This form of admissions is known as “pathway admissions,” and is suitable either for international students lacking English proficiency or high school seniors with insufficient to no SAT scores.
Pathway Admissions
Pathway admissions require neither SAT scores nor the student having completed a U.S. university preparatory high school curriculum. Students need only submit an iBT TOEFL score in the range of 60 to 70 points, depending on the university.
Once granted admissions, students complete the standard first year university curriculum while simultaneously completing pathway program classes in university preparatory and intensive English language classes (Academic English). Depending on the progress of the student’s English language skills, students exit the pathway program within a semester or two. Despite taking pathway program classes during the 1st year, almost students typically graduate on time in four years. Moreover, after two years study, many students elect to then transfer to top 50 universities; with a nearly 100% success rate.
With the rise of international student enrollment in the United States, an increasing number of top 150 universities are offering generous pathway admissions opportunities.
Advantages
1. Generous Application Deadlines
Pathway admissions deadlines are generally several months (March thru June) later than those of direct admissions (October thru March). These later deadlines are convenient for students who either (a) are graduating seniors from Korean high school and want to immediately proceed with university studies the following September, or (b) did not receive satisfactory acceptances during direct admissions.
2. Flexible Admissions Requirements
Even if students cannot satisfy the iBT TOEFL requirements for pathway admissions at the time of application (March thru June), universities give students until four weeks before the start of the Fall semester (August thru September) to submit qualifying TOEFL scores.
3. A Pathway to Top 50 Universities
Students who do not have an SAT score or the necessary college preparatory curriculum can leverage the pathway admissions program to eventually transfer to a U.S. News Ranking Top 50 university. Almost all of our pathway admissions clients end up transferring to and graduating from a top U.S. university.
Admissions Requirements
- SAT (ACT) / Recommendations / Essays : Not required
- Low TOEFL requirements
- Low GPA requirements (Korean GPA of 5th to 7th rank sufficient)
- January, May and September intakes
- Student expected to complete regular 1st year university courses together with pathway program classes.
- Student is a full-time registered university student
Universities Offering Pathway Programs
Baylor University, American University, University of Vermont, Saint Louis University, University of New Hampshire, Colorado State University, George Mason University, Oregon State University, University of Alabama-Birmingham, University of South Florida, University of Massachusetts (Lowell, Boston, Dartmouth), Hofstra University, Drew University, Marshall University, Illinois State University, University of Idaho, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richard Bland College of William & Mary, University of Utah, Auburn University, Florida International University, University of the Pacific, University of Kansas, Adelphi University, University of Illinois at Chicago, Louisiana State University, University of Dayton, and University of South Carolina.