How to Strategically Apply Early Admission with Unfavorable School Records

Gachon University, Duksung Women's University, Dongguk University Reflect Only Some Top Subjects
Konkuk University, Yonsei University Select Freshmen Based Solely on Essay Scores in Essay Screening

On the 4th, the day after the 2021 College Scholastic Ability Test, examinees are waiting to enter the essay test site at Soongsil University in Dongjak-gu, Seoul. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] Although you have started preparing for early admission, there are application types worth aiming for even if your school grades are unfavorable. One method is to target admissions that reflect only certain school subjects or those with minimal influence of school grades, such as essay-based admissions.

Among universities in the metropolitan area, some only consider a select few top subjects. Gachon University, following last year, reflects only the top 5 subjects in Korean, English, Math, and Social Studies for the humanities track, and Korean, English, Math, and Science for the natural sciences track. Duksung Women's University reflects only the top 4 subjects favorable to the applicant among Korean, English, Math, Social Studies, and Science in its 100% school record admission.

Dongguk University uses a school record admission type but incorporates a comprehensive document evaluation up to 40%, while only reflecting the top 10 subjects in the school record. If you have been diligent in school life and have good grades in some subjects, it is worth challenging. Since only some subjects are reflected, applicants’ grades tend to be generally high, so it is necessary to refer to last year’s admission results.

Although school grades are an important factor in early admission, essay-based admissions have relatively less or no influence from school grades. Konkuk University and Yonsei University select freshmen solely based on essay scores in their essay admissions. Korea Aerospace University also selects freshmen this year with 100% essay scores.

Hanyang University’s essay admission reflects 20% of the school record but evaluates school life sincerity focusing on attendance, awards, and volunteer activities rather than school grades. Sogang University and Hongik University reflect only 10% of school grades. In particular, Sogang University quantitatively evaluates rank grades in Korean, English, Math, Social Studies, and Science, giving full marks up to a 1.25 grade. A 3.75 grade receives 99 points, and a 5 grade receives 98.5 points, making the influence of school grades very minimal.

Woo Yeon-cheol, head of the Admissions Strategy Research Institute at Jinhaksa, said, "Depending on the university’s method of reflecting school grades and minimum CSAT requirements, there are cases where applicants can be accepted with relatively low school grades, so actively exploring favorable universities and admission types can increase the chances of success in early admission."

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