N-Suseong Concentrated in Essay Screening... This Year's Early Admission Competition Rate at 31 Universities Increases Compared to Last Year

31.2 Million to 32.3 Million Applicants for Essay Exams at Major Seoul Universities
Clear Increase in Early Admission Applicants for Essay and Comprehensive Screening
Decline in Early Admission Competition Rates at Major Regional Universities

Students who completed the natural sciences essay exam at Sungkyunkwan University are leaving Sungkyunkwan University in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 21st. Photo by Jin-Hyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] This year, the competition rates for early admission at major universities increased compared to last year. Although the school-age population has decreased, repeat test-takers (N-su students) massively applied to major universities' essay and comprehensive admission tracks, raising the overall early admission competition rate. Local universities that increased the proportion of early admissions mostly saw a decline in competition rates compared to the previous year.

On the 18th, Jongno Academy analyzed the early admission competition rates of 31 metropolitan and regional national universities for the 2023 academic year, finding the average competition rate to be 16.44 to 1, a slight increase from last year's 15.84 to 1.

Relaxation of Eligibility for Metropolitan Area Essay Admissions Attracts Many N-su Students

Major universities in the metropolitan area relaxed eligibility restrictions for essay admissions, leading to higher competition rates and an increase in the overall average early admission competition rate.

Despite the decline in the school-age population, many N-su students flocked to the essay admissions of major metropolitan universities. The number of applicants for essay admissions at major Seoul universities increased from 312,000 to 323,000. In particular, the competition rate for Sungkyunkwan University's essay admissions rose significantly from 24.31 to 1 to 28.53 to 1 this year, and Sejong University's essay admissions increased from 15.4 to 1 to 20.87 to 1. Kyung Hee University recorded 27.23 to 1, University of Seoul 17.97 to 1, Hanyang University 26.43 to 1, Seoul National University of Science and Technology 14.4 to 1, Ewha Womans University 12.86 to 1, and Chung-Ang University 29.07 to 1, all mostly higher than last year.

The number of N-su students applying for comprehensive student record admissions also increased compared to last year. The number of applicants for comprehensive student record admissions rose from 240,000 to 256,000 this year. However, applicants for student record curriculum admissions decreased from about 113,000 to 96,000. Kyung Hee University's Neo Renaissance track saw an increase in competition rate to 18.43 to 1 (from 17.03 to 1 the previous year) after reducing the number of admissions and removing the minimum CSAT score requirement that had been added the previous year.

Ewha Womans University, Dongguk University, and Hongik University See Increased Competition Rates

Among metropolitan universities, Ewha Womans University’s overall average competition rate rose sharply to 12.86 to 1 from 11.01 to 1 last year. The essay admission track had a competition rate of 36.75 to 1, with the computer engineering major in the essay track recording the highest rate at 65.0 to 1.

Dongguk University’s competition rate increased to 23.94 to 1 from 23.01 to 1 last year. The practical skills track (Department of Film and Video) had a competition rate of 90 to 1, and the highest competition rate by major was the essay admission track for the Department of Pharmacy at 358.83 to 1.

Hongik University (Seoul) saw its overall average competition rate rise to 16.87 to 1 from 14.72 to 1 last year, with the Performing Arts Excellence track having the highest competition rate at 87.57 to 1. By major, the Performing Arts Excellence track’s Practical Music major (Vocal) recorded 270.50 to 1.

Most Local Universities See Declines Except Kyungpook National University and Jeonbuk National University

Local universities have expanded early admissions, but unlike metropolitan universities, they have not attracted many N-su students, resulting in decreased competition rates at most universities except Kyungpook National University and Jeonbuk National University. Kyungpook National University’s early admission competition rate was 14.28 to 1 (previous year 12.95 to 1), and Jeonbuk National University’s was 8.19 to 1 (previous year 7.68 to 1).

Among regional flagship universities, Chonnam National University’s rate dropped to 6.3 to 1 (previous year 8.09 to 1), Chungnam National University to 7.98 to 1 (previous year 9.35 to 1), and Jeju National University to 4.9 to 1 (previous year 6.56 to 1). Soonchunhyang University’s rate decreased to 5.93 to 1 (previous year 7 to 1), and Ulsan University to 3.83 to 1 (previous year 4.68 to 1). The newly established Korea Energy Engineering University was popular among examinees due to its advantage in employment at Korea Electric Power Corporation, but its early admission competition rate fell to 12.48 to 1 (previous year 24.12 to 1), about half of last year’s level.

Lee Manki, director of Uway Education Evaluation Research Institute, explained, "The trend of applicants confidently or ambitiously applying to metropolitan universities in early admissions is expanding, and with a sharp decrease in examinees after the 2024 academic year, the polarization between metropolitan and local universities will gradually intensify."

High Competition Rates Centered on Medical School Essay Admissions... Slight Decrease in Pharmacy

After the establishment of the pharmacy department last year, the competition rates for dentistry and Korean medicine departments, which had somewhat slowed, generally increased. The essay admission track for major universities’ medical schools also had high competition rates, while the curriculum and comprehensive tracks saw slight declines. The pharmacy department attracted top-tier examinees again after being newly established last year, but competition rates have declined based on last year’s admission results.

The newly established Sungkyunkwan University medical school essay excellence track had the highest competition rate at 489.2 to 1. The decline in competition rates was also notable among local universities that increased the number of regional talent admissions. Chonnam National University’s medical school regional talent track had a competition rate of 8.82 to 1 (previous year 10.5 to 1), Chosun University’s medical school regional talent (curriculum) track was 13.4 to 1 (previous year 15.7 to 1), and Soonchunhyang University’s medical school regional talent (curriculum) track was 6.9 to 1 (previous year 9.1 to 1).

Kyung Hee University’s pharmacy department essay excellence track competition rate dropped from 431.63 to 1 to 204.75 to 1. Sungkyunkwan University’s pharmacy department essay track competition rate also decreased from 666.4 to 1 to 457.4 to 1. Chung-Ang University’s pharmacy department saw a decrease in competition rate from 147.25 to 1 to 126.77 to 1 due to an increase in the number of admissions.

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