KAIST·GIST·DGIST, 2028 정시 폐지 결정 — 대학 입시 뉴스
As universities prepare for the 2028 college admission reforms, it has been confirmed that KAIST, GIST, and DGIST will phase out regular admissions. Veritas Alpha reports that the number of specialized science and engineering universities opting out of regular admissions will increase from just POSTECH to four schools total, signaling a stronger focus on rolling admissions.
College Admissions Daily Update — 2026-05-04
Headline of the Day
KAIST, GIST, and DGIST to Abolish Regular Admissions for 2028
- What's happening?: An exclusive report by Veritas Alpha reveals that KAIST, GIST, and DGIST have decided to stop their regular admission processes for the 2028 academic year. Out of the six major science and engineering universities (KAIST, POSTECH, GIST, DGIST, UNIST, and KENTECH), the number of institutions not conducting regular admissions will rise from one (POSTECH) to four. This shifts the bulk of admissions for these schools—which total 2,540 spots—to rolling admissions.
- Who is affected?: Students and parents aiming for specialized science and engineering universities, especially those who were counting on their CSAT scores for regular admissions.
- Why does it matter?: This move aligns with the core goal of the 2028 admission reforms: prioritizing rolling admissions and student records. Students aiming for the top tier of science and engineering must now refine their strategies for rolling admissions, such as comprehensive student record assessments and essays.
Universities Fine-Tuning Admission Strategies for 2028
- What's happening?: Veritas Alpha has confirmed that universities are currently discussing "toning adjustments" for their admission designs ahead of the 2028 reforms. Unlike the past, where schools acted independently, there is a growing trend of collaborative discussion regarding the direction of admissions.
- Who is affected?: Current high school freshmen and sophomores preparing for 2027/2028 admissions, as well as teachers and consultants.
- Why does it matter?: The 2028 reform is a major overhaul tied to the full implementation of the High School Credit System. The fact that universities are discussing these plans collectively suggests that future admission policies will be more synchronized than before.
Key Trends by Admission Type
Rolling Admissions
- Increased Focus on Rolling Admissions for Science Schools: With KAIST, GIST, and DGIST dropping regular admissions, they will essentially be 100% rolling-admission based. This elevates the importance of comprehensive student records (e.g., transcripts and extracurriculars).
- Joint Discussions: According to Veritas Alpha, universities are aligning their criteria for student record and curriculum-based admissions to build a consensus on which competencies they will prioritize.
Regular Admissions
- Expansion of Abolishing Regular Admissions: Starting in 2028, four out of the six specialized science universities—KAIST, GIST, DGIST, and POSTECH—will rely solely on rolling admissions. Students targeting these schools through the CSAT-heavy regular admission track will need to adjust their plans.
CSAT & Mock Exams
No new updates; the 2026 CSAT concluded in November 2025, and results have been processed.
Policy & System Changes
2028 Reform Direction Confirmed
The shift toward abolishing regular admissions in specialized science schools is now official. While the Ministry of Education and the Korean University Education Association (KUEA) have not issued a separate announcement, the universities have confirmed this via their internal plans.
KUEA Recommendations
The Korean University Education Association (KUEA) continues to urge universities to uphold principles from the 2026 admissions guidelines, such as normalizing school education, reducing private tutoring costs, and simplifying/standardizing the process.
University News
KAIST, GIST, DGIST
As mentioned, these three have officially decided to end regular admissions for the 2028 cycle. The status of UNIST and KENTECH remains to be seen.
Seoul National University
The 2026 admissions cycle is wrapping up, with final registration complete. Data on admission results will be released sequentially after additional recruitment ends.
POSTECH
Known as a pioneer of the "rolling-admission only" model, POSTECH’s approach is now becoming the standard for other specialized science universities.
Analysis & Outlook
A New Challenge for High CSAT Scorers: The abolition of regular admissions at KAIST, GIST, and DGIST forces a pivot. Students must now focus on building strong transcripts and extracurricular research portfolios rather than relying on a single test day.
Golden Time for Information Gathering: Since universities are currently discussing their 2028 plans, now is the time for students to monitor official school websites and admissions news outlets closely.
The Rise of Rolling Admissions: With rolling admissions reaching a record 79.9% in 2026, the trend of emphasizing student records over test scores is accelerating.
Weekly Schedule
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| May–June 2026 | 2026 rolling admission results (cutoff, competition rates) to be released |
| June 2026 (TBD) | 6th-month mock exam (check schedule for 2027 CSAT prep) |
| 2028 Admission Plans | Continuous monitoring for official 2028 plan announcements |
Checklists
- For High School 1st & 2nd years: Shift focus from CSAT-only prep to building your portfolio for comprehensive student record evaluations.
- 2026 Final Check: Ensure all registration steps and scholarship applications are completed.
- Monitor 2027/2028 Plans: Check university admissions websites and professional news outlets at least once a week.
Issues to Watch
- UNIST/KENTECH: Will they follow the trend and abolish regular admissions?
- Official Reform Guidelines: Keep an eye out for the final announcement from the Ministry of Education/KUEA regarding the 2028 reform.
- 2026 Results: Watch for the release of actual admission data to help inform future strategies.
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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