Here is the timeline of my EPIK application process 

Stage 1

• July July 2, 2015 – Degree copy notarized
• July 8, 2015 – Notarized degree copy apostille by KS Secretary of State
• January 18 – Enrolled in Online TEFL program
• January 20 – Fingerprinted at local police station
• February 1 – EPIK begins accepting applications for Fall 2016 intake
• February 2 – Photos uploaded and cropped via epassportphoto.com
• February 11- Completed Online TEFL program
• February 21 – Applied to KorVia Consulting
• February 21~ish – Sent fingerprints to Accurate Biometrics for expedited FBI CRC
• February 23 – KorVia skype interview scheduled with Jessie Kim (She is the BEST!)
• February 25th – KorVia skype interview
• February 26 – Fingerprint background check completed by FBI
• March 14th – Submitted EPIK Application to KorVia for screening
• March 17th – EPIK Application new portion added – changes made and approved by KorVia
• March 22 – CRC Apostilled by US Department of State
  

  STAGE 2

• April 1st – EPIK Application sent to EPIK HQ by Korvia
• April 7 – Email from EPIK inviting me for a skype interview for April 11 (April 10th where I am!). Interview scheduled earlier than expected due to “Internal Procedures”.
• April 10th – Ready for interview – testing webcam with recruiter when she tells me EPIK need to reschedule.
• April 10th – Interview rescheduled for April 14th @ 9:20Am KST (April 13th for me)
• April 13th – Interview with EPIK. Asked to revise lesson plan.
• April 18th – Passed EPIK interview
• April 19th – Submitted revised lesson plan and EPIK application to my recruiter for screening.
• April 20th – Sent documents to Korea via UPS
• April 25th – Documents arrived at KorVia office for screening.
• April 25th – Documents Forwarded to EPIK HQ same day by KorVia.
• April 25th – Mailed Tax Residency Certificate application to IRS
• April 27th – Residency Certificate application arrives at Department of the Treasury
• May 12th – Notified that my documents have passed EPIK HQ screening
• May 19th – Received Tax Residency Certifications (Form 6166)
• June 13 – EPIK announced that first batch of placements coming this week
• June 14th – EPIK stops accepting applications for Fall 2016 intake

Stage 3

• June 17 – Notified via KorVia of Placement with the Gwangju MOE
• July 1 – Preliminary Orientation information released by EPIK coordinator on FB page
• July 6 – NOA and Visa documents sent via DHL from KorVia
• July 7 – NOA and Visa documents arrive
• July 10 – Visa documents sent to Korean Consulate in Chicago 
• July 13 – Visa documents arrive at Chicago consulate via USPS
• July 21 – Started and completed online pre-orientation 

Ad astra per aspera,

-Jeffrey