New University Admission Tracks Established This Year, Metropolitan Area Universities Increase Selection Through 'Hakjong' Screening Process

New Koryo University Academic Excellence-Cyber Defense Admission Track Established, Must Meet Minimum CSAT Requirements
Seoul National University of Science and Technology 'Advanced Talent Track', University of Seoul 'Document-Based' Admission Track Established
Seoul National University Regular Admission Within Quota Introduces Regional Balance Track

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] The overall framework of the 2023 college entrance examination system is similar to last year, but since some universities have introduced new admission types, high school seniors preparing for college entrance should pay close attention.

In early admissions, the proportion of student record-based curriculum screening is high, but in metropolitan area universities preferred by examinees, the scale of comprehensive student record screening is large.

Korea University established the Academic Excellence-Cyber Defense admission type for the 2023 academic year. Until now, the Cyber Defense Department, with a quota of 30 students, selected only through the special talent screening (18 students) in early admissions, but this year, in addition to the special talent screening (15 students), it will also select 5 students through the comprehensive student record screening. Since this corresponds to the Academic Excellence type among the two types of Korea University's comprehensive student record screening, unlike the special talent screening, applicants must meet the minimum CSAT score requirement (total grade of 7 across 4 subjects). Unlike the general and academic excellence types, in the second stage, 60% of the evaluation is based on documents, 20% on interviews, and 20% on military interviews and physical fitness tests.

Seoul National University of Science and Technology has introduced a special admission type called the 'Advanced Talent Screening.' This year, it established advanced departments in Artificial Intelligence Applications (60 students), Intelligent Semiconductor Engineering (30 students), and Future Energy Convergence (30 students), selecting 50% of the total number through comprehensive student record screening. Although it is a special admission type, it is a single screening composed only of advanced departments and does not select students through the existing comprehensive student record screening called the School Life Excellence Screening. The screening method is the same as the existing comprehensive student record screening: first stage (100% documents), second stage (70% documents, 30% interviews).

Seoul City University has diversified the screening methods of the comprehensive student record screening by introducing a document-based type. Previously, the comprehensive student record screening was conducted in two stages: first stage (100% documents), second stage (60% documents, 40% interviews). However, for the 2023 academic year, it has been divided into Comprehensive Student Record Screening I (interview type) and Comprehensive Student Record Screening II (document type). The interview type maintains the previous method, while the newly introduced document type selects students solely based on 100% document evaluation without interviews.

Sejong University also introduced a document-based type. The existing comprehensive student record screening, called the 'Creative Talent Screening,' was conducted in two stages: first stage (100% documents), second stage (70% documents, 30% interviews). However, for the 2023 academic year, it has introduced the Creative Talent Screening (document type), which selects students based on 100% document evaluation, thereby diversifying the screening process.

Last year, 36 universities conducted essay tests, and this year Seokyeong University (SKU Essay Excellence) has been added. In the case of Seokyeong University, the screening method consists of 40% essay and 60% curriculum, and it is classified as a curriculum screening type. Hongik University, which previously conducted essay screening only at its Seoul campus, will also conduct it at the Sejong campus starting this year, with a screening method of 90% essay and 10% curriculum. Among universities that previously conducted aptitude tests, Gachon University, Korea University (Sejong), and Suwon University introduced essay screening last year, and this year Seokyeong University and Hongik University (Sejong) have joined.

In regular admissions, Seoul National University has introduced a regional balance screening. Until now, Seoul National University operated only the general screening (within quota) and opportunity balance special screening (outside quota) in regular admissions, but this year it has introduced a regional balance screening within the quota. The regional balance screening uses 60% CSAT and 40% curriculum, utilizing student record curriculum evaluations such as subject completion, curriculum achievement, and academic performance in the curriculum. Similar to the early admission regional balance screening, only up to two students per high school can be recommended. However, unlike early admissions, graduates are also eligible.

Additionally, Shinhan University abolished the regional balance screening in early admissions curriculum screening and introduced Student Record Excellence Screening I and II. Unlike the general student record curriculum screening, which consists of 70% curriculum and 30% interviews, these new screenings are based 100% on student records. However, Student Record Excellence Screening I reflects the top 15 subjects in Korean, English, Math, Social Studies, Science, and Korean History, while Student Record Excellence Screening II reflects all subjects from the top two semesters, which is the difference.

Yoo Yeoncheol, head of the Admission Strategy Research Institute at Jinhaksa, said, "Newly established admission types affect not only competing universities but also the admission types of the respective universities. Since the number of students selected through existing admission types may decrease due to the introduction of new types, it is necessary to carefully examine how the admission types of the universities of interest have changed compared to the previous year and assess one's advantages and disadvantages."

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