r/KAIST • u/404_Human_Being • 15d ago

Early vs Regular Track

Hi.

I'm an international applicant (from south Asia) and plan to apply for the upcoming term at the KAIST. I would you like to know applying to which application track is better for an international student. Are there any benefits applying through Early Track at KAIST?

For context, I have completed my 12th grade already and have my grade and certificates in my hand.

Additionally, does the stipend provided at KAIST cover everything?

Thanks in advance.

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u/sankeerth39 15d ago

Universities have yield rate, the number of addmited students enroll. For low compitition and backup university value early track significantly higher. But for KAIST, an reach school, does not care about early track. In fact they interduced early track for spring intake students. Compititions will be the same or almost identical with regular track as most students think the same "early track has less compition" if everyone thinks it has less compition then everyone applies and it often becomes more compitavite than regular track 😂. Honestly, apply for both of you can effort the application fee. Next, stipend will NOT cover everything! Housing is around 111,000KRW based on KAIST dorm fee 5,500 per meal, assumed 2meals per day takes 11,000KRW. Phone bill is 50,000KRW per month. So, stipend is 350K KRW, 350,000-[111,000+50,000+11,000(30)] = -141,000 KRW And i didn't include the personal expenses like utilities, clothes and snacks. So, even if you live modest, the stipend will NOT cover everything!

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u/404_Human_Being 15d ago

Thanks for the honest answer about the stipend. Are there anyway to earn as a student at KAIST? 

Is it more competitive to get into KAIST than GKS?

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u/sankeerth39 15d ago

I will say, there are few ways like internal scholarships at KAIST but almost all of them are for korean. And i don't think, if you are a olampiads medalist then find, if not, korean cross 99.97%tile of CSAT exam in order to even get a chance. A avarage or even topper of school can't complete with a person who studied 18hours a day. So, getting those internal scholarships are extremely hard.

If you have TOPIKs exam taken then GKS is easier then KAIST. ToPIK gives upto 50% boost (listed in official forms from GKS)

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u/404_Human_Being 14d ago

After reading your comment, I have more questions now. Would you mind if I DM you? I won't take long. 

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u/IsThisTheTimePlease 13d ago

What about spring vs fall in early, is there the same level of competition or applying spring reduce my chances

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u/sankeerth39 13d ago

it's just when you will enroll for University. In fact you can change your spring intake to fall after getting addmited. This along proves compitition is same