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My KDIS Application Experience & Other Important Tips

  • Date 2022-04-18 09:00
  • CategoryStory
  • Hit46218

Introduction
Generally, applying for post graduate admission can be very overwhelming for many prospective applicants. This degree of difficulty varies dramatically depending on the kind of programs and standards of the institutions an applicant is applying to. 

Regardless, crafting a great application is not a difficult nut to crack if careful attention is paid to every detail. As KDI School of Public Policy and Management isone of the perfect destinations for policy makers and those interested in development, a highly competitive application process will be expected due to the large number of applicants from around the world.

How I Got To Know About KDI School
Sometime in 2020, I received the application link for KDI 2022 spring admission from a friend. Prior to that time, I was not familiar with KDI School, so  I had to check out the school on social media. I liked what I saw from my online search about KDI and what got me most enthused was  that the school offers my course of choice and how the School has consistently maintained an enviable standard of producing international experts with theoretical knowledge and practical skills in the field of development and public policy. 

KDI School Master’s Program
Getting started with the application process, it is important that you determine which of the programs to apply for. As for me, I have always nurtured the interest to study public policy and discovering KDI School, it was like a confluence of interest and opportunity. It is important to apply to a program that is a good fit for you and your  interests. 

You need the right base to build your education as you would not want to just throw yourself in a pool without knowing how to swim. The available masters courses include Master of Public Policy (MPP), Master of Development Policy (MDP), Master in Intellectual Property and Development Policy (MIPD), and Master of Public Management  (MPM). In any of these courses, the duration of study is 4 semesters (1.5 year). This usually consists of at least 3 semesters (1 year) at KDI School and 1 semester writing your research project in your home country. 

While the above mentioned captures tips about masters courses offered at KDI School, shall we delve deeper into the application procedure? 

Application Procedure
A smooth and well-planned application process is without doubt the key to successful admission, and it is certain that every KDIS student, including alumni, have experienced this process at one point in time.

First Stage
Firstly, the application usually begins online via the school’s website, and it runs for a particular time frame. It is highly advisable for prospective students to apply early enough so as to beat the deadline in the event of any unexpected challenge that may arise in the process. 

I went through the application procedure, and I knew I had to meticulously prepare for the application essay which is a requirement for the application process.

Writing my application essay took me almost a week as I did not want to rush the process at all. This was just my personal experience, it does not necessarily mean other applicants should adopt the same method. Upon the completion of my application essay, I carefully checked the document checklist to make sure that I had  fulfilled the document submission requirements.

Having satisfied all application requirements, I submitted my application and was hoping for the best. A few weeks later, I received an email that read “Congratulations on passing the document review”. The email was accompanied by further information on the next stage of the application process. 

Second Stage
The procedure is usually that applicants who are successful with the document review stage will be scheduled for a virtual interview. There are two interview stages, pre-interview and the main interview.

The period of preparing for the interview is one I will never forget easily. I had to prepare both mentally and physically as I had no clue as to what form the questions would take. My speculations were that the interview questions would revolve around my academic background and professional experience. 

One thing I never did was to give in to fear and apprehension. I was convinced that my admission decision would be ultimately determined by my performance during the interview. On the day of the interview, I was interviewed by two professors. Some of the questions that were asked revolved around:

-Self introduction
-Why did I choose to apply to KDI School of Public Policy and Management?
-Why public policy? 
-My academic background
- My work experience

The interview lasted for about 5- 7 minutes. At the end of the interview, I felt  relieved, and I was confident about my performance.

Authentication of Documents
Another piece of information contained in the document review email was the instruction to forward a hard copy  of each of the documents I submitted during the online application.

It was clearly stated in the instruction to send the documents in one folder through courier/post service to KDI School of Public Policy in South Korea within a particular time frame. My academic transcript and university certificate also needed to be authenticated at the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Upon authentication at the Ministries, the same documents (academic transcript and university certificate) needed to be taken to  South Korea’s embassy in my home country (Nigeria) for apostille/consular authentication. Ensure that you check carefully where you need to authenticate your documents in your own country. At this stage of my application, I had a back and forth experience and that was majorly due to the fact that I did not entirely follow the instruction as I ought to initially.

KDI School’s instructions on apostille/ consular authentication are very important! It is very important for applicants to pay special attention. As a matter of fact, your acceptance may be revoked if you submit photocopies or improperly authenticated documents. 

Offer of Admission
Having dispatched my admission documents through the courier service, a few days later, the Academic Affairs Division via an email confirmed the receipt of my documents.

A few weeks later, I got an email confirming my offer of admission with a scholarship. This experience remains one of my most cherished moments in life. It was a dream come true for me.

In all, the entire application process requires a great deal of attention to details. 

Kindly note that the application requirements above only apply to MASTER’S DEGREE PROGRAMS. You are advised to refer to the KDI School website for the latest instruction and comprehensive guidelines on application documents and requirements.

This piece should only be taken as a preview and sneak peek into what the entire process looks like. Maybe the process can be quite tasking, but then it will be worth it in the end. 


You may want to have a bit more information about  what the programs are to guide you in making the right choice for you, so here you go! 

Master of Public Policy (MPP) academic goals include:      

◈ To expand policy makers' capability in policy planning, analysis and implementation 

◈ Foster professionals in the field of economic and social policies.

Master of Development Policy (MDP) academic goals are:       

◈ To build capacity in designing and implementing economic and social policies of developing countries    

◈ To train professionals in the field of Official Development Assistance (ODA) and international development.

Master of Public Management (MPM) academic goals include: 

◈ To improve comprehensive problem-solving skills in public administration and management, with the help of reinforced understanding of global and private policy environment 

◈ To foster high-quality public workforce capable of policy design and execution.

  Master in Intellectual Property and Development Policy (MIPD) academic goals are:

◈ To acquire broader and deeper knowledge of the principles and sources of international intellectual property law and understanding of how these are changing as a result of globalization. 

◈ To understand the framework for analyzing policy making for economic growth and sustainable development.

◈ To appreciate the role of IP as a tool for development.


Document Checklist for Admission

Application (using KDI school’s online application system)

Statement of purpose (using KDI school’s online application system)

Apostille /Consular-certified Academic

Transcript with grading system

Certificate of Graduation

Two (2) Recommendation Letters (using KDI school’s online application system)

Valid English Proficiency Test Score Report

Employment Verification (if applicable)

Copy of Passport

Photo

Video Essay (optional)


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