Demographics
18
Female
Pakistani
Took a gap year
Low-income therefore need aid

Intended major
Electrical engineering

Academics:
1 A, 5 Bs and 3 Cs in O levels-English language, Mathematics, Urdu, Pakistan Studies, Islamiat, Computer Science, English Literature, Accounting and Economics
Expected 3 A grades in AS level (first year of A levels)-Mathematics, Physics and Economics.

Awards
None (for now).
Working on 2 competitions currently, wish me luck.
Did win 2nd place in school’s English elocution but that’s irrelevant.

Extracurriculars
Learning beyond the classroom-self studied mathematics, physics and space and tutored those around me.
Learning how to code (Harvard’s cs50x, will receive certificate).
Learning electronics (6.002 MITx, no certificate).
Took a blackhole workshop -> creating a simulation.
30 hours as a junior volunteer at a hospital -> studied the mechanics behind robots involved in surgery, gathered a team to create 40+ handmade bracelets with personalized cards to hand out to pediatric patients and gave a speech.
60 hours as a senior volunteer at that same hospital -> trained 150+ junior volunteers, organized and led the event.
Co-founded a youth movement -> managed 20+ members, raised funds ~15k pkr, no projects yet unfortunately.
Peer-tutored classmates in English Language and Computer Science.
Independent research, may have it reviewed.
Taught myself how to crochet and make jewelry and started a business.
Learning the math behind crochet and writing a paper.
Started an instagram account to document my learning journey.
Currently trying to code a tool that helps me keep track of my stitches in crochet.
Started a crochet discord server with 250+ active members (still growing).
Helped raise funds for and organize an event to a home for the differently-abled, once again gathered a team to make handmade bracelets.
Taught a young girl in my community how to crochet and make jewelry and helped her kickstart her online business through social media management, financially freeing her.

Additional information
I had depression and suffered from derealization through grades 6-11. Daily tasks were a challenge for me, let alone studying. This is also the reason why my grades are ass and my ecas are mid. I have received a bit of support and help and I’m doing decently now.
I didn’t have physics or chem in O levels.
I apply next year so I still have time to improve my profile, I’d appreciate any help!

Hi everyone,

​I’m an international student from Ethiopia currently preparing for the KAIST Spring intake. I recently finished my freshman year at university and I am determined to apply abroad, despite the heavy financial and logistical hurdles.

​To give some context, I'm a twin, my mother is a single-parent housewife (our father passed away a few years ago), and our family is supporting two of us trying to study abroad. With the weak Ethiopian currency, every application fee and the upcoming IELTS test in September are massive financial commitments, but my family is fully behind me.

​Academically, I’ve pushed myself as hard as I can:

​High School GPA: 3.99

​National University Entrance Exam: 541 / 600

​What I need help with:

I know that for a school like KAIST, stats alone aren't enough—the personal statement and essays are crucial. I want to convey my background authentically (the grit of studying STEM in a resource-limited environment, the support of my family, and my genuine passion for engineering) without making it sound like a generic sob story.

​I am looking for a mentor, a current KAIST student, or an alumnus who wouldn't mind guiding me step-by-step or giving me feedback on how to structure and write my essay.

​If anyone has successfully navigated this or has advice on how to find an essay mentor, I would be endlessly grateful. Please drop a comment or DM me

My grades are A*AA in CIE A levels with an A* in Math, and an A in Physics and Computer Science. I don't have any impressive ECA's but just random super small side projects. I come from an underdeveloped country as well. Your feedback is much appreciated!

Different sources provide different information regarding the required bank balance and the amount of money you need to show. However, I’ve heard that the required amount may be reduced if the university covers only tuition but not accommodation, living expenses, etc., and that the requirement may even be waived entirely if the university covers tuition, accommodation, and meals.

Hi, everyone!

I suppose this kind of questions are getting overwhelming, yet there is so limited information, so I have to ask it.

I know that there is no exact formula, that will get you into uni. Yet, I do believe that there must be some kind of pattern or avg among accepted students.

Please, could you share yours stats, ecs or any resource with potentially helpful info or statistics.

And if you are KAIST undergraduate intl student, you answer to this question would make huge significance!

What was your high school GPA?

What was your IB/A level/Sat score?

Did you get Conditional/unconditional offer, if though what was the condition?

Your TOP 3 awards/Extracurriculars that you think played most crucial role.

Did you had interview, and what you feel about it?

(Was it hard, what kind of questions[hard skill,soft skill])

And question for non freshmen students, does living allowance enough for comfortable living?

I'm planning to apply for the Spring 2027 admission to the MS program at KAIST Graduate School of AI, and I'd like to get some advice on how I can improve my profile and increase my chances of admission.

Here are what I consider the potential disadvantages and advantages of my profile:

Potential disadvantages

• I graduated from an unknown university, which is not considered a top university in my country.
• I don't have any formal research experience. From what I've seen, many applicants have research experience working with professors or researchers, while I've never conducted research under a professor or published a paper.

Potential advantages

• I have 1 year of experience as an AI/ML Engineer at a startup, and my work is related to my intended research interests.
• I'm currently trying to conduct some independent research and write technical reports about Reinforcement Learning, which is the research area I'm interested in.
• I previously participated in a Kaggle data science competition with around 5,000 participants and finished around 300th. I'm not sure how much this would help in an academic application.
• I was considered one of the top students at my university and graduated with a 3.7/4.0 GPA.
• I have an IELTS score of 7.5 (the stated minimum is 6.5), so I assume this is a positive point as well.

Given my background, what would you recommend I focus on improving before applying? I'm wondering whether I should prioritize building more research experience, trying to publish a paper, doing more RL projects/research, or something else.

I'm also a little confused about the professor contact/approval process. It seems that applicants may need to contact professors before applying and potentially get their approval first. I'm not very confident about approaching professors given my lack of formal research experience.

For people who have applied to or are currently studying at KAIST GSAI, how important is contacting professors before applying, and what would you recommend someone with my background do to improve their chances?

I'd really appreciate any honest feedback or advice.

Hi everyone, I’m 16 years old, from Kazakhstan, moving to 11th grade in September 2026, and graduating from high school in May 2027. I want to apply to universities in China, Hong Kong, and South Korea for the Fall 2027 intake. I am from a public school, my GPA is 5.0/5.0 for 8th, 9th, and 10th grades, SAT 1530, and around 7.5 IELTS. I also placed 2nd and 3rd in the district chemistry olympiad, 2nd in the district law olympiad, and 2nd in a district debate tournament. I ran a debate club at my school for 3 years, as well as a free online SAT prep club for 2 months with 50 participants. Additionally, I have an Honorable mention for Excellence in Perspective in the National Essay Competition dedicated to the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Declaration of Independence, and lastly, I volunteered for 2 months helping to collect humanitarian aid during the floods in my country. I want to major in biomedical engineering / mechatronics or engineering in general on a full-ride. My current college list:

HKUST - Early Round November 20, Full Tuition + $60,000 HKD (Bioengineering in engl)

CUHK - Early Round November 13, Full Tuition + $66,000 HKD (biomed in engl)

EduHK - Early Round November 17, Full Ride (no engineering)

HKU - Full Ride, First Round November 26 (biomedical)

CityU - Full Tuition + $66,000 HKD, Early Round November 15 (biomedical)

PolyU - Full Tuition + $60,000 HKD, Early Round November 19 (biomed)

HKBU - Full Tuition + $52,500 HKD, Early Round November 16 (no engineering)

Zhejiang University - Full Ride, December 1–February 28 (CSC-A) (biomed)

SJTU - Full Ride, December 8 – February 5 (no biomed)

KAIST - Full Ride, Early Round - October 22 (bio&brain eng)

DGIST - Full Ride, February 3 (interdisciplinary smthng idk but no biomed)

GIST - Full Ride, April 8 (also no biomed)

UNIST - Full Ride, January 23 (biomed)

Beijing Institute of Technology - Full Ride, February 15 (no biomed, mechatronics)

How can I figure out which of these universities are reach/target/safety, and how can I assess my chances of getting a full-ride? ** Also, does anyone know the average SAT, GPA, IELTS, etc., scores of international students who applied for undergraduate studies in these majors taught in English and received a full-ride? **

I know my profile is a bit weak, but I am ready to improve it before application deadlines and would welcome any advice.

Where do i see the contents or materials in their website? I tried to find it, but I couldn't. I also have no idea about the basic concepts in those two subjects. i feel so dumb; however i wanna study one of these two UNDERGRAD programs. Could someone PLEASE advise me help me out!

I just got my AL results, I got an A* in Maths, 3As in Phy,Chem and CS and a B in FMaths, I have really good ECs(from national MUNs, raising a lot of money, competitions won, and several others), 2 research works asw, and a 1500 SAT(might improve this), what are my chances at getting into KAIST for MechE or EE with somewhat of a full ride

Grade 10 (SSC): Overall 92% marks (But I didn't get 95+ in Math)

Grade 12 (HSC): In progress (Math exam gone wrong)

SAT: 1360 (Math: 760, EBRW: 600)

IELTS: Not taken yet

Extracurriculars & Achievements:

Independent Math Researcher (Published Author):

Co-authored a published paper in Parabola Mathematics Journal (associated with UNSW Sydney, QS Rank #19). Presented findings at the International Mathematical Sciences Research Symposium (IMSSRS).

Selected for a top tier, prestigious Math Research camp in Boston University

Selected for a top-tier summer math research program at IISc Bangalore (<1% selection rate) on a full scholarship.

National Olympiad & EGMO TST Camp:

Ranked as a top performer at the National Girls Math Camp; qualified for the selection camps for EGMO TST (European Girls' Mathematical Olympiad) and WMTC (World Mathematics Team Championship).

Funded Genetics Researcher (National Science Lab):

Experimental research proposal on plant genetics (1 of 6 funded nationwide out of 250+ proposals) by a premier national science research lab.

Founding President — High School Debate Club:

Founded my school's debate organization from scratch; grew membership to 120+ active members. Organized 2 intra-school competitions, 1 festival, and led team to national semifinals.

STEM Content Creator (Instagram):

Created 44+ educational posts, accumulating 20,000+ views.

Class Coordinator & Mentor -Math Club:

Mentored younger students in contest math and advanced problem-solving at a nationally recognized math club.

Problem Setter:

Authored original proof-based and combinatorics problems for a major national online math platform and regional competitions.

What are my chance in kaist ( After unexpected math result in academic area) and other top south Korean university? ( Note: It's my first post. Sorry if I made any mistake.)

A2 level: 1A*(CS) 1A(Chem) 1B(Phy) (i will appear in maths in oct nov and have an A in As)
O levels: 6A* 2A
SAT: 1450

Decent internships and extra curriculars

is there any chance

As a Moroccan GKS scholar do u have any advice or smth you wish that u knew it before GKS for the Moroccan applicants specifically?

Hello! I got admitted to SKKU in korea and im planning to go there this september. But kaist has always been one of my most targeted uni and i alr got rejected once months ago.

Is it still possible to apply there while doing my first semester here in skku? I doubt I’ll be able to get rec letters or transcript while applying so i can only send my highschool stuff.

Hi everyone!
I’m an international student preparing to apply to universities in Korea, especially the top universities like Seoul National University, Korea University, and Yonsei University.
I would really appreciate hearing from international students who are currently studying at these universities.
Could you please share:
What university and major are you studying?
What was your academic background (GPA, language scores like TOPIK/IELTS/TOEFL, extracurricular activities, awards, etc.)?
What do you think was the most important factor that helped you get accepted?
What mistakes should applicants avoid?
What advice would you give to someone who wants to apply to a top Korean university as an international student?
I know every applicant is different, but hearing real experiences from accepted students would be extremely helpful.
Thank you so much!

If you were admitted to KAIST or POSTECH, or know someone who got admitted. Please share your stats please! Since they use holistic reviews, full stats is great!

I've done a bunch of research on this but couldn't find a clear answer

How is KAIST for robotics? What's the startup ecosystem here? Does KAIST fund MS programs for international students?

Cambridge curriculum

A levels (passing year 2024 & 2025)

Physics B

Mathematics B

Chemistry A.

O level (Passing year 2023)

Bengali A

Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics A

Additional Mathematics and English Language B

Accounting A

IELTS 7.5