Guide to School Documents

For those who have applied to language schools, you may be familiar with the most challenging aspect of the application process. It is none other than preparing the application documents. Application documents can vary slightly depending on the school, and if you are currently employed or studying, the preparation of these documents can be even more difficult. Today, I will provide you with a detailed overview of the language school application documents, presented in an easy-to-understand format. The information provided below focuses on the basic and common requirements, so please review them carefully before submitting your application!

The following information is based on the application process for language schools applied through Creatrip.

Before We Start

The information provided may vary slightly depending on the nationality.

The details provided here are the basic requirements for the documents, and there may be variations among different schools. Please check the specific pages of each school for accurate information.

All files should be submitted in their original, undamaged condition.

While most documents can be submitted online, there are cases where original documents need to be submitted to the school separately. We will inform you when original documents are required, and it is advisable to keep all documents intact until final acceptance.

It is recommended to submit your application at least one week before the deadline. Particularly, if you are applying for two or more semesters, there may be cases where the school requests original documents, and those documents may need to arrive at the school before the application deadline. Please apply with caution.

Your name should be consistent on all submitted documents. For example, if your name is "Chan" on your bank statement, it cannot be "Chen" on your passport copy. Any slight discrepancy may lead the school to consider the documents as belonging to another person and may result in disqualification. If you have changed your name, please ensure to submit a legally recognized name change certificate issued by your country.

ID Photo

For photographs, please scan a picture that is taken in the size range of 3-3.5cm by 4-4.5cm.

The submitted photograph may be used for your school identification card or other official purposes, so please ensure it is a formal photo and avoid using smartphone-taken pictures or ones with unusual poses or expressions. If the photo does not meet the requirements, we may request a new one.

Copy of Passport

When submitting a copy of your passport, please scan both the page with your photo and personal information as well as the page with the passport's expiration date. It is recommended to scan the documents in color.

It is advisable to ensure that your passport is valid for at least the duration of your intended stay plus an additional 15 days. If it does not meet this requirement, please obtain a new passport before applying.

Latest Academic Transcript & Consular Certification

Only the official degree certificate or graduation certificate is accepted as proof of your final education. Temporary graduation certificates, academic transcripts, or certificates of enrollment are not recognized. The document should typically include your full name, graduation year, and school stamp.

The current school you are attending is not considered your final education. Only the school from which you graduated will be recognized as your final education. For example, if you are currently enrolled in university, you should submit your high school graduation certificate as your final education document. However, it is recommended to also submit the certificate of enrollment for the current university, as it can assist in the document review process. (e.g., Submitting both the high school graduation certificate and the certificate of enrollment for the university if you are currently enrolled in university).

Most schools require embassy or consulate authentication (apostille or consular legalization) for the final education certificate. However, there are some cases where schools do not require embassy or consulate authentication for applicants who are applying for a specific semester or who hold visas other than the D-4 visa. Please check the specific requirements on the school's detailed page or contact help@creatrip.com for further inquiries.

If you graduated from a school outside your home country, you must submit your graduation documents with an Apostille from the country where the school is located, or with a certification from the Korean consulate in that country.

The embassy or consulate authentication/apostille documents should be free of any damage. Even minor issues such as staple marks can be considered as damage by the school and may directly result in disqualification. Please ensure that there is no damage or alteration to the documents received from the embassy or consulate. (For example, removing staples from the embassy-authenticated documents for scanning purposes can be considered as damage).

Many schools require the final education certificate to be officially translated into English, Chinese, or Japanese. However, based on experience, some schools or admission officers may request a re-issuance of the certificate in English if it was originally issued in Chinese or Japanese. It is therefore recommended, if possible, to proceed with the translation in English.

Submitted documents are often not returned. Therefore, if you have only one copy of your graduation certificate or academic transcript, it is recommended to make a copy for embassy or consulate authentication or apostille.

When submitting documents to Creatrip, please scan both sides of the final education certificate and the embassy or consulate authentication/apostille documents and submit them as one document.

Bank Statement

Transaction history will not be accepted as the bank statement. Please submit a document that clearly states the balance amount.

The balance should be indicated in USD rather than your home country's currency. For example, it should be stated as 18,000 USD instead of 560,000 TWD. Most banks are willing to convert the balance to USD when requested by foreign institutions.

It is recommended to maintain a balance that is higher than the specific requirement set by each school. For example, if the requirement is 10,000 USD, it is advisable to have a balance of around 11,000 USD.

Many schools accept bank statements of parents as well, but not those of siblings. However, additional documents such as proof of family relationship may be required. Please check the specific requirements on each school's detailed page.

Sometimes banks use the term "over five figures" instead of providing the exact balance amount. For example, for a balance of 10,000 USD, they may use "over five figures." While it means the amount exceeds 10,000, some schools may request the actual amount to be stated. If the bank statement uses "over five figures," it is recommended to clarify with the school if they require the exact amount.

Some schools require bank statements to be issued within one month of the online submission date, while others require the original documents to be received by the school within one month of their arrival. Considering potential issues with other documents and the time required for communication, it is strongly recommended to prepare all other documents in advance and obtain the bank statement shortly before submitting your application to Creatrip.

Bank statements printed online hold no validity. Only original documents with the official signature and stamp from the bank are accepted. Please visit a physical branch to obtain the bank statement with the bank officer's signature or official bank stamp.

It is recommended to submit the bank in English whenever possible.

Certificate of Family Relations

If the bank statement is in the name of a family member, you need to submit a document that includes the family member's name, their relationship to you, and other relevant details.

The document should be an official government-issued document, and it is recommended to submit a statement that is no more than three months old.

Explanation of Gap

Some schools typically require an explanation of gap statement if it has been one year since your graduation. Please refer to the specific pages of each school for accurate information.

For the explanation of gap statement, different schools have different criteria, but it is recommended to compile a document that includes an official employment certificate or a statement explaining your activities during the gap period. This can be submitted as part of your resume.

If you did not have any employment during the specified period, it is advisable to provide detailed information about the activities you engaged in during the gap period. Including supporting evidence or results related to those activities in the same document can increase your chances of acceptance. For example, you can include a statement in your resume like "January 6, 2023, to March 6, 2023: Prepared for the TOPIK exam and achieved Level 4" along with the submission of the TOPIK certificate.

Click here to compare and apply for schools:

See Language Schools

We hope that you can enjoy a ! If you have any questions or concerns, please leave a comment below or send us an email at help@creatrip.com!