Postponing Interviews and Essays, Reducing Practical Exams... Universities Sequentially Change College Admission Plans

101 Universities Change College Admission Criteria
Only Seoul National University Eases Minimum CSAT Requirements
Yonsei University Postpones Essay Test Until After CSAT

Last year, examinees who completed the 2020 academic year early admission essay exam at Hanyang University Seoul Campus in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, were leaving the campus. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] Due to the resurgence of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), more than 100 universities have adjusted their essay and interview schedules in the 2021 academic year university admission process.

The University Admission Committee of the Korea Council for University Education announced on the 30th that it approved changes to the admission process implementation plans of a total of 101 universities to ensure the stable operation of university-specific exams. More than half of the 198 member universities changed their admission process plans due to COVID-19 variables.

Regarding major changes, 96 universities (including overlaps) adjusted the period for university-specific exams such as interviews, practical skills, and essays. Considering the spread of COVID-19 infections, universities plan to postpone essay exam schedules or extend the interview, practical skills, and essay periods to reduce the concentration of examinees and disperse them.

By school, Yonsei University postponed the early admission essay schedule from October 10 to December 7-8, after the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) on December 3. Korea University decided to hold the early admission student record comprehensive (hakjong) interview over two days, from November 21 to November 21-22. Ewha Womans University also changed its plan to hold the early admission essay exam over two days, from December 13 to December 12-13.

Twenty-four universities reduced the number of practical exam categories. Sungkyunkwan University decided not to conduct the long-distance running event, one of the practical exam categories, in the early admission special talent selection for arts and physical education. Thirteen universities also reduced the number of candidates subject to practical exams. Hanyang University reduced the number of candidates selected in the first stage of the art talent selection, which was previously 20 times the recruitment quota based on 100% student records, to 10 times.

Students are leaving the exam hall after completing the '2020 Academic Year Early Admission Essay Test' held last year at Sungkyunkwan University in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

Twenty-eight universities, including Chung-Ang University, Kyung Hee University, and Jeonbuk National University, changed the scope of recognized competition achievements for special talent admissions. This measure was taken considering that some competitions were not held due to COVID-19. Twenty-seven universities, including Hongik University, Catholic University, and Sungkyunkwan University, changed the qualification and residency requirements for special admissions for overseas Koreans and foreigners.

Only Seoul National University eased the minimum CSAT score requirements. Seoul National University relaxed the minimum CSAT criteria for the early admission regional balance selection (excluding the College of Music), which is only available to third-year high school students, from "within grade 2 in at least 3 of 4 subjects" to "within grade 3 in at least 3 of 4 subjects."

Seoul National University Abolishes Non-Curricular Criteria in CSAT-Focused Admissions
Check University Admission Guidelines and Changes in Advance

Other universities also intended to ease the minimum CSAT requirements and change their admission plans, but the Korea Council for University Education explained that unlike Seoul National University's regional balance selection, which only allows current students to apply, other universities' admissions allow repeat test takers, raising concerns about fairness disputes.

Seoul National University was also the only university to abolish the application of non-curricular criteria in CSAT-focused admissions. In the regular admissions reflecting 100% of the CSAT score, Seoul National University decided not to deduct points even if attendance or volunteer activities are not fulfilled.

Applicants should check each university's admission guidelines and notices before submitting applications and confirm any changes in the admission process. Changes to the admission implementation plans can be viewed on the university admission information portal "Eodiga."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.