Changes in 2022 College Admissions... Seoul National University, Sogang University, and Chung-Ang University Ease CSAT Minimum Requirements

Change in Recognition Scope of Achievements and Reduction of Practical Exams in Over 20 Institutions... Only 3 Institutions Change CSAT Minimum Criteria
SNU Student Record School Principal Recommendation Track Relaxed to Within Grade 3 in 3 or More Subjects
Sogang University Student Record School Principal Recommendation Track Changed to Within Grade 3 in Each of 3 Subjects
Chung-Ang University Regional Balance Track: Humanities Within Total 7 in 3 Subjects, Natural Sciences Only 1 Inquiry Subject

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] Universities have revised parts of their college admission plans due to COVID-19. Seoul National University, Sogang University, and Chung-Ang University have relaxed the minimum CSAT score requirements. Additionally, 20 universities have either expanded the scope of accepted achievements due to competition postponements or reduced the categories or types of practical exams.

On the 9th, the University Admission Committee of the Korea Council for University Education announced that it approved requests to change university-specific implementation plans to consider the 2022 academic year admission management direction and to operate university-specific exams stably. As of the 1st, 56 universities are affected.

Changes in the CSAT Minimum Requirements for Seoul National University and Sogang University in the 2022 College Admission Process (Data provided by Uway)

Sogang University, Seoul National University, and Chung-Ang University (main campus and campuses) have relaxed the minimum CSAT academic achievement standards. The Council approved the relaxation only for admission types where the applicant pool remains unchanged. Seoul National University lowered the standard in the Student Record Comprehensive (Regional Balanced Selection) admission from requiring at least 3 out of 4 subjects to be within grade 2 to at least 3 out of 4 subjects within grade 3.

Sogang University relaxed the minimum standard in the Student Record Curriculum (Principal’s Recommendation) admission from a total grade sum of 6 or less across 4 subjects (Korean, Math, English, Inquiry) and Korean History grade 4 or less to requiring 3 out of 4 subjects each within grade 3 and Korean History grade 4 or less. Chung-Ang University main campus relaxed the Student Record Curriculum (Regional Balanced) admission for humanities from a total grade sum of 6 or less across 3 subjects (Korean, Math, English, Inquiry) to a total grade sum of 7 or less across 3 subjects. For the natural sciences (excluding the College of Pharmacy), the total grade sum of 7 or less remains the same, but the inquiry subject evaluation changed from averaging 2 subjects to reflecting only the highest scoring subject.

Lee Mangi, director of the Uway Education Evaluation Research Institute, said, "It is regrettable that only three universities relaxed the minimum standards, but general high school students who are vulnerable to the CSAT will benefit. Most changes in admission plans involve reductions in practical arts exam categories or changes in exam schedules, and many changes concern overseas high schools or overseas Korean nationals, so general students are often unaffected."

2022 Academic Year College Admission Central University CSAT Minimum Score Requirement Changes (Data provided by Uway)

Due to COVID-19, 22 universities changed the scope of accepted practical or achievement-based admissions because competitions or exams were not held or postponed. These universities include Catholic Kwandong University, Kyonggi University, Kyungsung University, Kyung Hee University, Korea University (Seoul), Dongguk University (Seoul), Dongduk Women’s University, Dong-A University, Dong-Eui University, Sangmyung University (campus), Sunmoon University, Ajou University, Andong National University, Yonsei University (Seoul), U1 University, Incheon National University, Chosun University, Chung-Ang University (campus), Chungnam National University, KC University, Korea National Sport University, and Korea Maritime and Ocean University.

Twenty universities reduced the categories or types of practical exams. These include Kangnam University, Kongju National University, Daegu Catholic University, Daejeon University, Dongyang University, Myongji University (main campus), Sangmyung University (main campus/campus), Seokyeong University, Sunmoon University, Sungshin Women’s University, Sehan University, Suwon University, Suncheon National University, Shinhan University (main campus), Hannam University, Hallym University, Hanshin University, Hanyang University (Seoul), and Hanyang University (ERICA campus).

Seventeen universities changed the way admission elements are reflected, such as adjusting the number of candidates to comply with COVID-19 prevention guidelines. These include Gachon University, Kwangwoon University, Dongyang University, Seoul Women’s University, Sejong University, Soonchunhyang University, Yonsei University (Seoul), Yongin University, Incheon National University, Chung-Ang University (main campus/campus), Chungnam National University, Hankyong National University, Hanyang University (Seoul), Hanyang University (ERICA campus), and Hongik University (main campus/campus).

Among these, Gachon University changed the admission elements of the Student Record Curriculum Regional Balanced admission from a combined evaluation of 60% curriculum and 40% interview to a two-stage process. The first stage selects 10 times the number of candidates based on 100% curriculum, and the second stage reflects 60% curriculum and 40% interview.

Seven universities changed their admission schedules: Dankook University (main campus/campus), Dongguk University (Gyeongju), Dongseo University, Yonsei University (Seoul), Incheon National University, and Hanyang University (Seoul). Among them, Yonsei University changed the Student Record Comprehensive (International Type - Overseas High School, GED) interview from the existing on-site non-face-to-face recorded method to a non-face-to-face video interview where applicants upload videos for evaluators to assess.

On the 6th, when the 2021 academic year early admission essay exam was held, the area in front of Sungkyunkwan University in Jongno-gu, Seoul, was bustling with parents waiting for the examinees. The universities that conducted the essay exam on this day prohibited parents and vehicles other than the examinees from entering the campus to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

The Council for University Education consulted with the National Association of Admissions Officers to consider the COVID-19 situation in evaluating Student Record Comprehensive admissions and others. Universities plan to inform applicants about the transition to non-face-to-face university-specific exams such as interviews or practical exams before application submission.

The Council emphasized, "Applicants must check the changes in university admission plans of the universities they are applying to through university-specific recruitment guidelines and announcements before submitting applications."

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