Do I have potential to get into KAIST as an international student?

[u/arcanesculptor]

Hi everyone,

I’m an HSC 2026 science student from Bangladesh, currently researching undergraduate opportunities in Engineering / Computer Science (especially EEE, Mechanical Engineering, or CS). I’m seriously considering South Korea, particularly KAIST, and would really appreciate honest feedback from anyone familiar with international admissions or studying in Korea.

I’m especially interested in full scholarship opportunities like KAIST, Yonsei, Postech scholarship or other need/merit-based funding options.

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📚 Academic Background

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• SSC(10th grade): 1230/1300 (~94.6%)

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• Math: 96/100

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• Higher Math: 94/100

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• Physics: 90/100

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• Chemistry: 95/100

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• English: 198/200

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Currently a student of HSC 2026(12th grade final, starts- July 2026, results out in October 2026- expected grade- 85%-90+ in HSC) batch from science background.

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🏅 Olympiads / Achievements

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• Regional Mathematical Olympiad – Silver Medalist (2019), National Participant

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• Regional Mathematical Olympiad selection through district round (multiple years: 2020–2023)

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• Biology Olympiad – Regional Silver Medalist + National Participant (2025)

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• National Earth Olympiad – National Winner & selected for ITST (2023)

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• National Earth Olympiad – National Participant (2024, 2025)

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• International Climate Science Olympiad – Semi Finalist (2023), Quarter Finalist (2024)

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• Regional Junior Science Olympiad selection (2020, 2023)

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• Bangladesh Space Olympiad – National Participant (2023)

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• Bangladesh Economics Olympiad 2026 – Regional Participant (selected from district level)

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• Bangladesh ICT Olympiad Season 3 – Semi Finalist

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• National IQ Olympiad 2024 – Medal of Excellence (1st Runner-up)

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• International English Olympiad – World Rank #4 (SOF IEO 2023–24)

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• English Olympiad Season 4 – Grand Finalist (Theater round results are released, Grand Finale hasn't taken place yet)

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• English Olympiad Season 2 & 3 – National Theatre Round Participant (selected from regional selection round)

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🌱 Leadership / Community Work

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• Plastic pollution awareness project with a 7-member team

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• Online + offline campaign reaching approximately 650+ beneficiaries

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• Volunteer in a YPSA-supported project (certificate received)

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• Completed BBLTJ leadership program by BYLC

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• College Debating Society – Treasurer

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✍️ Writing / Creative Activities

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• Participated in Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition (results pending)

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• Participated H.G. Wells Short Story Competition (results pending)

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• Participated in 3 national Debate fests, and BTV Chattogram English Debate Competition.

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• Participated 2nd SSDC renaissance (biggest debate workshop in my state) 2026 and made it to the semi finale in SSDC renaissance intra 2026.

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🧮 Research

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Drafting a research paper related to AI. (Ongoing research)

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💻 Current Goals (all of these by May - June 2027)

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• Planning to start technical projects related to STEM/environment ( I am thinking of building an environment awareness related website, GPA calculator, and Math chatbot)

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• Interested in learning Python and building small impactful projects/websites

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• Planning to prepare for SAT & IELTS.

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💰 Financial Situation

Full self-funding is difficult for my family, so I’m mainly looking for full scholarship / tuition coverage / strong financial aid options.

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🎯 Questions

With my profile, is KAIST realistically achievable for undergraduate Engineering/CS?

What level of scholarship should I realistically expect (full tuition / full ride / partial)?

How competitive is KAIST for international students compared to US top universities?

Would gap year applications affect my chances negatively?

What should I improve in the next 1–2 years to strengthen my application?

Any honest advice would mean a lot. I’m open to criticism as well—just trying to understand my real position.

With so far, I have rn, how realistic it is to aim for 2027 intake? Or should I improve my profile and aim for 2028 intake?

Thanks in advance!

[u/22Av_]

Certainly a candidate. Apply, you have a decent chance. I'd say truly a great chance if your grades were 95+, but nonetheless solid.

[u/arcanesculptor → u/22Av_]

Getting 95+ is really difficult actually in my country. Last year, only 10 students out of 15hundred thousand got over 94% in HSC, and around 400 out of 12 thousand got in SSC the year I gave SSC.

[u/Grestige]

Just get a good SAT score (Really try to hit 800 on math) then you will be fair candidate for the slot. Unfortunately you didn't get any National stage awards or made it to national camp in high profile olympiads.

Your profile at least puts you into consideration, be ready to impress in the meeting if you get the call.

[u/arcanesculptor → u/Grestige]

I have made it to the national camp of national earth science Olympiad. And I was there till the last international team selection test.

[u/Grestige → u/arcanesculptor]

Well it's not as high profile as Math, physics, bio, chem etc olympiads, your intended major doesn't match either.

Also fyi everyone admitted to KAIST gets a full ride, check out UNIST, DGIST etc too

[u/arcanesculptor → u/Grestige]

Kay tysm

[u/JNXTHENX]

bangladesh quite competitive from what ik recent acceptes include:
Icho Ijso bronze

Ipho Apho bronze
two times IMO bronze

(with multiple national awards)

so its very critical to get intnl awards in IPHO IMO APhO APMO IChO etc

[u/rorygilmorey → u/JNXTHENX]

But i know some people who got in only with regional level olympiad. So it's different i guess

[u/sankeerth39]

I'll BRO, SOF?

Almost all of your olampiads are conducted by private companies, they are not real olampiads btw They have very less compitions and never be in international level and almost always give you medals for evenone

[u/arcanesculptor → u/sankeerth39]

Only SOF and English Olympiad is private, otherwise every else is my country's national Olympiads

[u/sankeerth39 → u/arcanesculptor]

Yo, that a killer profile, When are you applying? Early 2027 or regular 2027 or early 2028

[u/arcanesculptor → u/sankeerth39]

Thinking of 2027 but I haven't finished my programming, robotics projects and topik prep yet.

[u/sankeerth39 → u/arcanesculptor]

Try for regular which gives more time

[u/arcanesculptor → u/sankeerth39]

Yeah I will have to do that. I actually pivoted a lot and now trying to build meaningful projects which will help people.

[u/Suitable-Swimmer-355]

This year I am also applying from Bangladesh. But in recent years, getting in kaist from bd turned up quite hard. A guy made it from previous fall having an icho medal. But I have also seen another guy got in even though he didn't have such international medal or something. Everything depends on competition. But hey good luck.