Quiet College Town Ahead of Semester Start... "Let's Go to Medical School" Repeat Students Biggest Obstacle

Estimated Number of Repeat Test Takers Decreases in Proportion but Remains at 80,000
"If You're Retaking, Keep It Quiet" Complaints Also Arise

As the full-scale university semester begins in March, the number of students deciding to retake the college entrance exam due to the increase in medical school admissions in 2025 is rising. Meanwhile, current students and freshmen, who have to attend various events before the semester starts, are responding to these uncomfortable situations as calmly as possible.

Recently, on the university student online community 'Everytime,' posts seeking advice on creating timetables from freshmen who have decided to retake the exam have been continuously appearing. Some examinees seemed to be considering 'Hakgo Bansu' and sought advice. Hakgo Bansu refers to registering for university but not attending classes, receiving an academic warning, and preparing for the college entrance exam. They also discussed whether to attend departmental events.

As the full-scale university semester begins in March, the number of students deciding to retake the entrance exam due to the increase in medical school admissions in 2025 is rising. These students show a tendency to invest minimal time in their department activities. The photo shows a university area in Seoul and is not related to the specific content of the article.
Photo by Kim Hyun-min

Additionally, on examinee communities such as Sumanhwi and other university online communities, there are quite a few posts expressing the worries of freshmen who cannot settle into their schools. A freshman at a top university in Seoul asked, "Is it okay to attend the Saehwanhoe (freshman welcome party) if I am going to retake the exam?" Comments on this post included, "You might get your heart shaken, so better not go," and "If you are serious about retaking, start studying hard from now." Some current students advised, "If you fail the retake, you might come back, so you should attend the events."

The number of university students retaking the exam is increasing every year, leaving universities 'embarrassed'

As there are so many students retaking entrance exams in university areas, complaints from freshmen trying to adapt to school life are also growing. Some students have even voiced, "If you're going to retake, do it quietly." One example is calling retaking students 'Somsitneol' friends. Somsitneol is an abbreviation of 'a raccoon washing cotton candy before eating it.'
[Photo by Online Community]

The number of students preparing for the college entrance exam while attending university campuses is increasing every year. According to an analysis comparing the number of 'graduates, etc.' who took the college entrance exam with the number of participants in the June mock exam of the same year by Jongno Academy, the number of retakers increased from 68,188 in the 2020 academic year to 81,898 last year. This is the highest number in the past five years.

In particular, the number of repeaters and retakers has increased since the integrated college entrance exam was introduced in the 2022 academic year. It is explained that more examinees felt disadvantaged due to the pros and cons between elective subjects, and a retake craze occurred as many students flocked to medical schools and top universities.

Because there are so many retakers on campus, freshmen trying to adapt to school life are increasingly dissatisfied. Some students even voice, "If you are going to retake, keep it quiet." Calling retakers 'Somsitneol' friends is one example. Somsitneol is an abbreviation of 'a raccoon washing cotton candy.' This term is used to describe a frustrating situation where a friend disappears like cotton candy washed away by water. A freshman posted on a community, "Is it rude to make friends at the Saehwanhoe if I am going to retake?" and comments such as "I think I will become a Somsitneol," and "I don't want to get close to someone who is going to retake because I might become a Somsitneol" were added.

With the increasing number of students preparing to retake from the start of the semester, student councils organizing freshman welcome events are also in a difficult situation. A student council official at a university in Seoul said, "Events like Saeteo (freshman orientation) or MT prepare accommodations based on the expected number of participants, but low participation rates or retake dropouts could lead to wasted costs." A department representative at another university in Seoul also said, "There are about 80 freshmen, but less than half applied for Saeteo, which surprised me," adding, "The retake atmosphere is causing a general decline in participation in university events."

‘Medical school boom’ in academies following government’s medical school expansion announcement... Increase in medical school classes

On the afternoon of the 6th, when the government announced the plan to increase the admission quota for medical schools, a banner promoting medical school admissions was hung at an academy in downtown Seoul.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Despite the tense atmosphere caused by collective actions from residents and specialists opposing the government's announcement to increase medical school admissions, a medical school class boom has begun in academies. Accordingly, academies in major areas of Seoul and regional academies have increased the establishment and operation of medical school classes.

In particular, academies for repeaters that could not operate medical school classes last year due to insufficient enrollment are expecting to run medical school classes thanks to the government's announcement of medical school expansion. Inquiries related to medical school admissions have also increased mainly from middle and high school students and parents who have time until the college entrance exam.

A local academy official said, "Recently, there have been many consultation inquiries about medical schools from parents and students. It seems to have doubled compared to last year," adding, "Even if the current grades do not allow applying to medical schools, many request consultations thinking that the admission cutoff will lower after the expansion, making it possible."

On the other hand, repeaters who have to retake the college entrance exam and retakers who are preparing for the exam again aiming for medical school admission, even after enrolling, are flocking to large-scale and dormitory academies in the metropolitan area. A freshman A at a private engineering university in Seoul said in an interview with a media outlet, "I decided to retake because the medical school quota increased by 2,000, and I am looking for an academy," adding, "I have registered at the school I was accepted to, but I do not plan to participate in any departmental activities." B, who was accepted to a regional medical school, also said, "I am preparing for the college entrance exam again to enter a medical school in Seoul," adding, "Many of my peers are in similar situations."

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