From University Students to Office Workers, 'Medical School Counseling'... Academy District Busy Amid Medical School Craze

After Announcing 2,000 Medical School Expansion
Surge in Medical School Consultation Inquiries in Academy District
Diversification of Demand... Customized Strategies Included

As the government decided to increase the number of medical school admissions by 2,000 starting from the 2025 academic year, it has been identified that inquiries requesting consultations for medical school preparation have also increased in the private education sector. In particular, the 'medical school craze' atmosphere is spreading not only among graduates hoping to retake the exam but also among current university students and office workers.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

According to the admissions industry on the 13th, the number of medical school admissions consultations has increased since the Ministry of Health and Welfare announced the expansion of medical school quotas on the 6th. A representative from Etoos Edu said, "From the afternoon of the 7th, the day after the announcement, phone inquiries increased by more than 30% compared to usual," adding, "Among those requesting consultations, about 70% are graduates, 20% are repeat test-takers (N-su students), and about 10% are others including office workers and high school dropouts."

Lim Seong-ho, CEO of Jongro Academy, also explained, "The age range of inquiries has diversified, including questions about the pros and cons of retaking the exam, the pros and cons of taking a gap year, and whether it is advantageous for upper elementary students to move to provinces," adding, "There is a lot of interest from various age groups, and it has become an environment where each can prepare by setting their own strategies."

Nam Yoon-gon, head of the MegaStudy Admissions Strategy Research Institute, also stated, "There have been many unusual cases of inquiries this year," and added, "For example, there were inquiries from people who had prepared for medical or pharmacy school transfers but failed and then decided to go to medical school."

After the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) ended, admissions companies have been holding a series of admissions briefings. On the 17th, families of examinees attending the "2024 CSAT Results and Regular Admission Score Prediction Briefing" held at Daeyang Hall, Sejong University, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, were looking at admissions materials. Photo by Jo Yongjun jun21@

As the medical school craze continues, many posts have recently appeared online not only in existing mom cafes and examinee communities but also on office worker apps, discussing whether to quit jobs and enter medical school.

The private education sector has started preparing briefings and programs in anticipation of increased demand for medical school admissions. Jongro Academy, which held a medical school admissions briefing on the afternoon of the 7th, reported that more than 3,000 applications had been received as of 3 p.m. the previous day. MegaStudy also urgently scheduled an 'Admissions Trend Analysis Briefing due to Medical School Quota Increase' at the Seocho MegaStudy Academy Medical Science Center on the 13th. Director Nam explained, "More than 1,000 people applied within 10 hours," adding, "The number of applicants was much higher than expected."

Etoos Edu announced that it is planning customized programs targeting medical school applicants. A representative said, "On the 19th, Gangnam Hyper Academy will open four medical school admissions classes in the medical school building," adding, "The total capacity is 280 students, which is a 10% increase compared to last year."

They also added, "Unlike last year, we have introduced programs that complement individualized customized learning," explaining, "In medical school admissions, acceptance is often decided by a difference of one or two questions, so we focus on providing guidance to supplement detailed parts like a pinpoint."

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