UPDATED: 2025 February 10
Starting from the Fall 2025 intake (opening February 1, 2025), the 3 personal essays that were standard for the past several years will be changed to several short answer questions. We have updated this page to reflect the changes!
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Applicants who are found to have used AI to generate their essays, lesson plan, or any other part of their application will be failed by Korvia and EPIK. Please only use AI to check spelling and grammar. It is very easy to tell when AI is used to create written content.
The essay is primarily used as a screening method to see an applicant’s dedication as well as command of the English language. Applicants submit it with their application during the Final Documents Submission period.
Essay Questions (Updated)
Starting from the Fall 2025 EPIK applications, the essay/short-answerquestions are as follows:
Standard Prompt Questions (Outdated)
Each program may have a different essay prompt so please consult each application form for specific topics. Typically programs ask applicants to respond to the following questions:
Hello! Just to clarify, the personal essay altogether needs to be 500-800 words singled-spaced correct? And do you prefer to have each question numbered and answered separately or incorporate all three questions into one formal essay?
Hi Abbygail!
While specifics for each program varies, all essays are to be single spaced. EPIK has a certain prompt where you answer the questions as an answer, whereas the GEPIK program asks you to incorporate it in the form of an essay. The GOE program’s requirements resemble GEPIK’s.
Oh okay I get it now. So the personal essay format depends on which program you’re applying. Thank you for answering my questions.
For the essay,
If you have completed all three essays for the EPIK application, s the option to print out the essay page? Or would I need to write the questions and answers on a separate word document and print that out instead?
Would someone please tell me the difference between Epik, SMOE, GOE, GEPIK?
If you’re applying for the SMOE program, would it be the same then for how EPIK wants the essay written?
Hello Jena,
Yes! Since SMOE has merged with EPIK, they will be asking the same essay questions.
Where do we send this essay?
Hi Andile, the essays must be done on EPIK’s online application. You can find the application on the official EPIK website.
When I am sending in my Final Documents package, do i simply print out the Essay and Lesson plan section from application and turn them in? It asks for my app to be printed out but also asks for the LP and PE separately so I’m confused.
You just need to print the 12 pages of the application! No need to print the pages of the essays and lesson plan again.
I just read through the 2025 guide on EPIK’s site and didn’t see any mention of the essay changing to short-answer questions. Where did you get this info? Also, everyone says GEPIK and SMOE have merged with EPIK-does that mean we’ll be able to list somewhere in the application that we’re actually applying to GEPIK or SMOE aka looking for only Geonggi-do or Seoul?
Hi Hillary! Ah, the new questions were provided to us as we are official partners of EPIK. The essay questions are 100% confirmed to be different than previous intakes. However, the actual questions themselves are subject to change, so we’ve taken them down for now. We’ll update the site again after the applications officially open.
Yes, EPIK has taken over GEPIK, GOE, and SMOE for a while now. On the application, you’ll be able to select your preferred location.