GKS Recommendation Letter Tips: Who to Ask & What to Say | Admissions.kr

The Document You Cannot Write Yourself

In the GKS application, you control almost everything: your study plan, your personal statement, your transcript, your language scores. You choose which documents to submit, how to present your achievements, and which narrative to construct. But there is one critical piece of your application that depends entirely on someone else — your recommendation letters.

GKS typically requires two recommendation letters (some embassies or universities may require three). These letters serve a unique function in your application. While your study plan tells evaluators what you want to do, recommendation letters tell evaluators who you are from someone else's perspective. They provide third-party validation of your character, your abilities, and your potential. A strong recommendation letter can push a borderline application into the acceptance pile. A weak or generic one can undermine an otherwise excellent application.

This guide covers everything you need to know: who to ask, how to ask them, what the letter should contain, common mistakes, and even a template your recommender can adapt.

Building your GKS application? Start with our complete GKS guide and learn how to write a winning study plan.

How Many Letters Do You Need?

The standard GKS requirement is two recommendation letters. However:

Some embassies may require three letters.
Some universities (for the university track) have their own recommendation form in addition to or instead of free-form letters.
Always check the specific requirements for your track and your target institution.

If you are applying through both the embassy track and the university track simultaneously, you may need separate sets of letters for each — some embassies require originals (not copies), and the university may have its own form.

Who Should Write Your Letters?

This is the most strategically important decision. Not all recommenders are created equal. Here is a hierarchy based on what GKS evaluators typically value most:

Tier 1: Academic Supervisors Who Know You Well

The ideal recommender is a professor who directly supervised your work — a thesis advisor, a research mentor, or a professor in whose class you excelled and with whom you had meaningful academic interactions.

Why they are best: They can speak with authority about your academic abilities, research potential, intellectual curiosity, and work ethic. They have observed you in an academic context, which is exactly what a scholarship for academic study wants to validate.

Tier 2: Professors Who Taught You

If you did not do a thesis or research project, the next best option is a professor who taught you in a relevant course — ideally one where you performed well and participated actively.

Why they are valuable: They can comment on your analytical skills, your engagement with the material, and your performance relative to other students.

Tier 3: Professional Supervisors

If you have significant work experience (especially relevant to your proposed study), a supervisor or manager from your workplace can provide a valuable perspective.

Why they are useful: They can speak to your professional skills, leadership, responsibility, and real-world application of knowledge. This is particularly relevant for applicants who have been out of school for several years.

Tier 4: Community or Organization Leaders

For undergraduate applicants or those with extensive volunteer or leadership experience, a community leader, NGO director, or organization head can write a relevant letter.

Why they can work: They can attest to your character, leadership, and commitment to social contribution — qualities that align with GKS's goal of developing future leaders.

Who to Avoid

Family members — never acceptable.
Friends or peers — lacks authority.
Famous people who do not know you — a generic letter from a government minister who met you once is far less effective than a detailed letter from a professor who supervised your thesis.
Recommenders who will write in a language the evaluators cannot read — letters should be in English or Korean (some embassies accept the local language with a certified translation).

The Golden Rule: Specificity Over Status

This is the single most important principle for GKS recommendation letters. Evaluators have read thousands of letters that say: "Student X is hardworking, intelligent, and has great potential." These generic platitudes do nothing to distinguish you from other applicants.

What evaluators want is specific evidence:

A specific project you completed and how you performed
A specific moment in class that demonstrated your analytical ability
A specific challenge you overcame and what it revealed about your character
Specific skills you demonstrated that are relevant to your proposed study

A passionate, detailed letter from a direct supervisor who knows you well will always outperform a brief, generic letter from a dean or CEO who barely knows your name.

What the Letter Should Contain

Here is the ideal structure for a GKS recommendation letter. Share this framework with your recommenders.

1. Identification and Relationship (1 paragraph)

Who is the recommender? (name, title, institution)
How do they know the applicant? (course taught, research supervised, professional role)
How long have they known the applicant?

2. Academic or Professional Assessment (2–3 paragraphs)

Specific evidence of the applicant's abilities
Comparison to other students or colleagues ("among the top 5% of students I have supervised in 20 years")
Specific projects, papers, or achievements
Skills relevant to the proposed study in Korea

3. Character and Personal Qualities (1–2 paragraphs)

Work ethic, intellectual curiosity, resilience
Leadership, teamwork, communication skills
Cultural adaptability (especially relevant for studying abroad)
Specific anecdotes that illustrate these qualities

4. Endorsement for GKS and Study in Korea (1 paragraph)

Why this student would thrive in Korea
How the proposed study aligns with the student's trajectory
A clear, unambiguous recommendation ("I recommend this student without reservation")

5. Contact Information

The recommender's email and phone number for verification purposes

How to Ask for a Recommendation Letter

Many applicants feel awkward asking for recommendation letters. Here is a step-by-step approach that makes it easier for both you and your recommender.

Step 1: Choose the Right Time

Ask at least 4 to 6 weeks before the deadline. Professors and supervisors are busy, and a rushed letter is a bad letter. Approaching someone 3 days before the deadline is disrespectful and will likely result in a generic letter (if they agree at all).

Step 2: Ask in Person (or via a Thoughtful Email)

If possible, ask in person. If not, send a professional email that includes:

A brief reminder of who you are and your relationship
An explanation of what GKS is and why it matters to you
A clear, polite request: "Would you be willing to write a recommendation letter for my GKS application?"
A note that you will provide all necessary information and materials

Step 3: Provide a "Recommender Package"

After they agree, send them everything they need:

Your CV or resume (updated)
Your study plan (so they can align their letter)
Key points you hope the letter will cover (be specific: "It would be helpful if you could mention the data analysis project I completed in your course")
The deadline (clearly stated, with a buffer of a few days)
The submission method (sealed envelope, email, online form)
Any official forms required by the embassy or university

Step 4: Follow Up Gracefully

One week before the deadline, send a gentle reminder. After submission, send a thank-you note — handwritten if possible. These recommenders are doing you a significant favor.

Sample Letter Framework

Below is a framework your recommender can adapt. This is not meant to be copied word-for-word but rather to show the level of detail and specificity that evaluators appreciate.

To: GKS Selection Committee

Re: Recommendation for [Your Name] — Global Korea Scholarship Application

I am writing to strongly recommend [Your Name] for the Global Korea Scholarship. I am [Recommender's Name], [Title] at [Institution], and I have known [Your Name] for [duration] in my capacity as [their relationship: thesis advisor / course instructor / research supervisor].

During [his/her/their] time in my [course / research group / organization], [Your Name] consistently demonstrated exceptional [specific quality]. In particular, I recall [specific anecdote or project]. [Your Name] approached this challenge by [specific actions], which resulted in [specific outcome]. This experience illustrated not only [his/her/their] technical competence but also [his/her/their] ability to [relevant soft skill: think critically / work independently / collaborate effectively / persevere under pressure].

Among the approximately [number] students I have [taught / supervised / worked with] over the past [number] years, I would rank [Your Name] in the top [percentage or number]. [His/Her/Their] [specific skill] is particularly notable — during [specific context], [he/she/they] demonstrated a level of [analytical thinking / creativity / leadership / initiative] that I rarely see at this stage of a student's career.

Beyond academics, [Your Name] has shown remarkable [character quality]. [Specific example of character quality in action]. I believe this combination of intellectual ability and personal integrity makes [him/her/them] an ideal candidate for international study.

I understand that [Your Name] intends to pursue [program] at [university/universities] in South Korea, with a focus on [field/topic]. Having reviewed [his/her/their] study plan, I am confident that this direction is an excellent fit for [his/her/their] abilities and aspirations. [His/Her/Their] background in [specific area] and [his/her/their] demonstrated capacity for [specific skill] will serve [him/her/them] well in the Korean academic environment.

I recommend [Your Name] for the Global Korea Scholarship without reservation. [He/She/They] will be an outstanding scholar, a positive representative of [home country], and a future contributor to Korea-[country] relations.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you require further information.

[Recommender's Full Name] [Title] [Institution] [Email] [Phone]

Common Mistakes in GKS Recommendation Letters

1. The One-Paragraph Letter

A recommendation letter that is only 3 to 5 sentences long signals either that the recommender does not know the applicant well or that they did not care enough to write more. Aim for at least one full page.

2. The Listing Letter

"Student X is smart, hardworking, creative, motivated, passionate, and dedicated." Listing adjectives without supporting evidence is meaningless. Every quality claimed must be backed by a specific example.

3. The Autobiography

Some recommenders spend more time writing about themselves and their institution than about the applicant. The letter should be about you. A brief introduction of the recommender is sufficient.

4. The Identical Letters

If both of your recommendation letters say essentially the same thing, you have wasted an opportunity. Strategically, each letter should cover different aspects of your profile: one academic, one professional; or one focused on research skills, the other on leadership and character.

5. The Unsigned or Unverifiable Letter

Letters should be signed (physically or digitally), printed on official letterhead, and include the recommender's contact information. An unsigned letter on plain paper raises authenticity concerns.

6. Outdated or Irrelevant References

A letter from a high school teacher when you are applying for a doctoral program is not relevant. Choose recommenders who can speak to your most recent and most relevant experience.

Strategic Pairing: Making Your Two Letters Work Together

Since you typically need two letters, think of them as a team. Each letter should complement the other, covering different dimensions of your profile.

Ideal Pairing A: Academic + Professional

Letter 1: Your thesis advisor or professor — focuses on your research ability, analytical skills, and academic potential.
Letter 2: Your work supervisor — focuses on your leadership, practical skills, and professional achievements.

Ideal Pairing B: Two Professors, Different Angles

Letter 1: Your research supervisor — focuses on your research methods, data skills, and publication potential.
Letter 2: A teaching professor — focuses on your classroom performance, intellectual engagement, and communication skills.

Ideal Pairing C: Academic + Community (for undergrad applicants)

Letter 1: A professor — focuses on your academic performance and potential.
Letter 2: A community or organization leader — focuses on your leadership, social commitment, and character.

Addressing the Language Question

GKS recommendation letters should ideally be written in English or Korean. If your recommender is not fluent in either language:

They can write the letter in your local language, but it must be accompanied by a certified translation into English or Korean.
Some embassies accept letters in certain other languages (such as French for Francophone African countries). Check your embassy's requirements.
If possible, help your recommender by providing the framework in English and offering to arrange a professional translation.

What If Your Recommender Asks You to Draft It?

This happens more often than you might expect — busy professors sometimes ask students to write a draft that they will review and sign. If this happens:

Do not be embarrassed. It is a common practice in many academic cultures.
Write a strong, detailed letter using the framework above.
Include specific details that the recommender can verify and customize.
Do not exaggerate. Write honestly — your recommender will push back on claims they cannot support.
Let them edit it freely. Give them room to modify language, add their own observations, and make it sound authentic.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can family members write recommendation letters for GKS?

No. NIIED explicitly prohibits recommendation letters from family members. This includes parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, and in-laws — even if they are professors or professionals.

Should I waive my right to see the letter?

If the application form includes an option to waive your right to view the recommendation letter, it is generally recommended to waive that right. It signals that you trust your recommender and that the letter is candid, which evaluators appreciate.

What if I graduated years ago and have lost contact with professors?

Reach out anyway. Most professors are willing to write letters for former students, especially if you remind them of your specific work and provide all the materials they need. If you truly cannot locate a professor, a professional supervisor who knows your work well is an acceptable alternative.

Do recommendation letters need to be sealed?

Many embassies require letters to be in sealed envelopes, signed across the seal by the recommender. Check your specific embassy's requirements. For the university track, letters may be submitted electronically.