KAIST·GIST·DGIST, 2028 정시 폐지 및 대입 News
As universities refine their plans for the 2028 admissions overhaul, KAIST, GIST, and DGIST have officially decided to discontinue their regular admissions (Jeong-si). According to Veritas Alpha, this brings the total number of specialized science and engineering universities that rely solely on early admissions (Su-si) to four, including POSTECH.
Daily University Admissions News — 2026-05-04
Today's Headline
KAIST, GIST, and DGIST to Fully Scrap Regular Admissions for 2028
- What's happening?: Exclusive reports from Veritas Alpha confirm that KAIST, GIST, and DGIST will stop offering regular admissions starting with the 2028 academic year. Out of the six specialized science and engineering universities (KAIST, POSTECH, GIST, DGIST, UNIST, and KENTECH), the number of institutions focusing exclusively on early admissions will rise to four, including the already non-regular-admission POSTECH.
- Who is affected?: Prospective students and parents aiming for these top-tier science and engineering schools, especially those who were planning to rely on CSAT scores for admission.
- Why does it matter?: This move aligns with the 2028 admissions reform’s core goal: strengthening "early admissions, student-record-centered" selection. Students aiming for these top-tier programs need to pivot their strategies toward student record-based admissions (e.g., student record synthesis, essays).
Universities Tweak Admissions Strategies Ahead of 2028 Overhaul
- What's happening?: Veritas Alpha confirms that universities are coordinating to "adjust the tone" of their admissions designs ahead of the 2028 changes. Unlike past years where universities acted independently, a collaborative atmosphere is emerging to discuss the overall direction of admissions.
- Who is affected?: Current high school freshmen and sophomores preparing for the 2027-2028 admissions, as well as counselors and teachers.
- Why does it matter?: The 2028 reform is a major shift linked to the full implementation of the High School Credit System. Collaborative discussions among universities suggest that upcoming admissions plans will likely be much more harmonized than before.
Key Trends by Admissions Type
Early Admissions (Su-si)
- Greater Focus on Early Admissions for Science Schools: With KAIST, GIST, and DGIST scrapping regular admissions, these schools will effectively transition to 100% early admissions (e.g., student record synthesis). This places even higher importance on student records, extracurricular activities, and self-introductions for top STEM candidates.
- Collaborative Admissions Planning: Universities are working together to align their approach to student record-based admissions to determine which specific competencies should be prioritized for selection.
Regular Admissions (Jeong-si)
- The Decline of Regular Admissions: Starting in 2028, four of the six major science universities—KAIST, GIST, DGIST, and POSTECH—will no longer use regular admissions. Students hoping for these schools via the CSAT will need to significantly adjust their plans.
CSAT & Mock Evaluations
No new updates; the 2026 CSAT concluded on November 13, 2025, and results have been issued.
Policy & System Changes
2028 Reform — Official Shift in Science University Admissions
The transition toward an "early-admissions-only" model is now official for the specialized science and engineering schools. While there have been no additional announcements from the Ministry of Education or the KCUE (Korean Council for University Education), the internal admissions plans of these universities have confirmed the shift.
KCUE Guidance on 2026 Admissions
The KCUE has recommended that universities adhere to principles such as normalizing high school education and reducing private education costs, a policy that remains a foundational guideline for the 2027 and 2028 cycles.
Major University News
KAIST, GIST, and DGIST
These three schools have decided to scrap regular admissions for 2028. Including POSTECH, four out of six specialized science universities will now only admit students through early rounds. The status of UNIST and KENTECH remains to be seen.
Seoul National University (SNU)
SNU is wrapping up the 2026 admissions cycle, with final enrollment procedures completed. Admissions results (cut-offs) are expected to be released sequentially following the conclusion of additional recruitment rounds.
POSTECH
Having long operated without regular admissions, POSTECH is now the benchmark model for the other science universities transitioning to this system.
Analysis & Outlook
New Challenges for High CSAT Scorers The shift in science school admissions demands a major strategic change for students banking on high CSAT scores. Early admission (Su-si) is now essentially the only path.
Golden Time for Information Gathering As universities are currently "adjusting the tone" for 2028, the next 1-2 years will be critical. Students should keep a close eye on upcoming admissions announcements.
Continued Expansion of Early Admissions With the 2026 cycle seeing a record-high 79.9% of total seats allocated to early admissions, the trend toward "student record-centered" selection continues to accelerate.
Weekly Schedule
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| May–June 2026 (Est.) | Sequential release of 2026 early admission results by university. |
| June 2026 (Est.) | 2027 CSAT-preparatory June mock evaluation (Check for official schedule). |
| Within 2026 | Continued monitoring of 2028 admissions plan announcements. |
Student/Parent Checklist
- Aiming for Science/Engineering Schools (Current HS 1-2): Shift your focus from CSAT-based preparation to student record-based (early admission) strategy. Prioritize school grades and extracurricular exploration.
- Finalize 2026 Admissions: Check remaining deadlines for final registration or scholarship applications.
- Monitor 2027/2028 Plans: Regularly check university admissions websites and professional news outlets like Veritas Alpha or The Korean University News for updates.
Issues to Watch
- UNIST & KENTECH's Status: Will they also follow the "early-only" trend?
- Official 2028 Guidelines: Awaiting formal announcements from the Ministry of Education and KCUE regarding the alignment of these new admission plans with the High School Credit System.
- 2026 Admissions Results: Data on average grades for 2026 will serve as a crucial reference for future applicants.
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
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