Seoul 8 Universities Including Sogang University and Sungkyunkwan University Expand Early Admission Academic Track

Expansion of Early Admission Based on Coursework... Decrease in Comprehensive Student Record Admissions
Hanyang University, Ewha Womans University, and Chung-Ang University Allow Reapplicants
Sungkyunkwan University and Chung-Ang University Ease Minimum CSAT Requirements

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 examinees. The universities that conducted the essay exam on this day prohibited parents other than the examinees and vehicles from entering the campus to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] Eight major universities in Seoul, including Sogang University, Sungkyunkwan University, and Hanyang University, are expanding their early admission curriculum screening this year. More schools have also relaxed the minimum CSAT score requirements compared to last year.

According to Daesung Academy on the 30th, the eight major universities in Seoul?Sogang University, Sungkyunkwan University, Hanyang University, Ewha Womans University, Chung-Ang University, Kyung Hee University, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, and University of Seoul?will select 13,797 students (57.3%) through early admissions and 10,264 students (42.7%) through regular admissions.

Although the total number of students selected through early admissions has decreased, the number selected through the student record curriculum screening increased by 33 from the previous year to 2,729 (11.3%). The comprehensive screening decreased by 416 to 7,332 (30.5%), and the essay screening decreased by 217 to 2,449 (10.2%).

The curriculum screening is conducted through the principal recommendation system. At Sogang University, Sungkyunkwan University, and Kyung Hee University, only current students can apply. Hanyang University, Ewha Womans University, and Chung-Ang University allow applicants who have taken a gap year as well. Each university has different limits on the number of recommended students and eligibility based on graduation timing. Most select students based on curriculum grades and minimum CSAT score requirements; Ewha Womans University conducts interviews, and Hanyang University and Ewha Womans University do not have minimum CSAT score requirements.

Many schools have relaxed the minimum CSAT score requirements and increased the number of recommended students. This year, Sungkyunkwan University increased the recommendation quota from 4% to 10% and relaxed the minimum CSAT score requirements. Ewha Womans University removed the limit on the number of recommendations. Chung-Ang University expanded eligibility to include gap-year students, changed the selection criteria to 90% curriculum and 10% attendance, and relaxed the minimum CSAT score requirements. Kyung Hee University renamed its high school linkage program to regional balance and introduced a comprehensive curriculum evaluation. Hankuk University of Foreign Studies abolished non-curricular factors and selects 100% based on curriculum, and University of Seoul doubled the number of recommended students from 4 to 8.

The comprehensive screening selects students either solely through document evaluation or by selecting several times the number of candidates in the first stage through documents, followed by interviews in the second stage. Only Ewha Womans University applies minimum CSAT score requirements and will abolish personal statements starting this year. Ewha Womans University also relaxed the minimum CSAT score requirements for natural sciences in the future talent screening. Kyung Hee University's Neo Renaissance screening abolished the minimum CSAT score requirements and reduced the first-stage selection from 4 times to 3 times the number of candidates. Hankuk University of Foreign Studies increased the weight of the second-stage interview from 30% to 40% in the interview type screening. University of Seoul introduced a document type screening, splitting selection into interview and document types.

The essay screening is for top students whose curriculum grades are not strong, and essay scores and minimum CSAT score requirements are important. All universities except Hanyang University and University of Seoul apply minimum CSAT score requirements. Recently, minimum CSAT score requirements have been slightly relaxed, but Kyung Hee University's pharmacy department strengthened its criteria from a combined 5th grade in 2 subjects to a combined 4th grade in 3 subjects. Sungkyunkwan University abolished curriculum reflection and selects 100% based on essays, relaxed the minimum CSAT score requirements, and will select 5 students for the medical science department again this year.

Hanyang University increased the essay reflection ratio from 80% to 90% and, contrary to Sungkyunkwan University, abolished selection for the medical science department. Chung-Ang University also increased the essay reflection ratio from 60% to 70% and relaxed the minimum CSAT score requirements for humanities. University of Seoul conducts essay screening only for natural sciences.

The number of students selected through regular admissions increased by 683 (2.7 percentage points) to 10,264 compared to 9,581 in the 2022 academic year. Chung-Ang University increased by 446, and Kyung Hee University increased by 136. Although the increase is smaller compared to the significant expansion of regular admissions in 2022, the number of students selected through regular admissions continues to rise steadily.

The regular admissions of the eight major universities in Seoul select students based on 100% CSAT scores. Sungkyunkwan University's medical science department judges personality and aptitude interviews only for disqualification. The CSAT subjects reflected are mostly similar. For humanities, no specific subjects are designated in math and inquiry, while for natural sciences, math requires calculus or geometry, and inquiry requires science inquiry subjects. Among natural science departments, University of Seoul's environmental horticulture, architecture, architectural engineering, transportation engineering, and landscape architecture departments allow selecting probability and statistics in math, but inquiry must be science inquiry subjects. Sogang University, Sungkyunkwan University, Ewha Womans University, and Chung-Ang University require selecting two different science inquiry subjects, and Hanyang University awards a 3% bonus for science inquiry II in natural sciences.

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