2026 University Admissions News (2026년 대학 입시 뉴스)
As the 2026 college admissions season kicks off, Vietnam has unveiled disaster response plans for its high school graduation exams, while South Korean universities are finalizing their admissions structures, maintaining a focus on CSAT-based regular admissions alongside notable shifts in eligibility criteria. Students should now accelerate their preparations by analyzing June mock exam results and keeping a close eye on application timelines.
Daily University Admissions News — 2026-06-09
Today's Headlines
Vietnam Establishes Disaster Response Plan for 2026 High School Graduation Exams
- What's happening?: Due to forecasts of frequent thunderstorms, tornadoes, and high winds in June, the Vietnam Committee for Search and Rescue has emphasized proactive disaster prevention for the 2026 high school graduation exams.
- Who is affected?: Students and exam administrators in Vietnam.
- Why it matters?: Managing potential disruptions caused by extreme climate change is becoming a critical task, and similar measures may eventually become relevant for South Korea's CSAT operations.
Vietnam's 2026 College Admissions: 15-Choice System Announced
- What's happening?: Vietnam has announced that for the 2026 college admissions cycle, applicants will be allowed to list up to 15 preferred universities.
- Who is affected?: Students and parents in Vietnam.
- Why it matters?: This represents a policy shift aimed at increasing student autonomy and ensuring broader opportunities for career selection.
Key Trends by Admissions Type
Rolling Admissions (Susi)
2026 Rolling Admissions Continue Focus on School Records
- Rolling admissions will maintain their focus on student records (school transcripts). It is expected that the "Student Record-based" (curriculum) track will account for 56.4% of total rolling admissions. Keep a close watch on changes in the number of recruits and specific criteria released by each university.
Korea University, Yonsei University, Ewha Womans University, and others ease CSAT minimum requirements
- Major universities are easing CSAT minimum thresholds starting in 2026. Korea University, Incheon National University, Hongik University, and Sookmyung Women’s University have removed restrictions on specific Inquiry (Social/Science) subject combinations. Ewha Womans University has adjusted its Humanities threshold from "sum of 6 across 3 areas" to "sum of 5 across 2 areas, including Korean."
Regular Admissions (Jeongsi)
2026 Regular Admissions: 69,272 spots (19.8% of total)
- Four-year universities nationwide plan to recruit 69,272 students through regular admissions, representing 19.8% of total spots. The "CSAT-focused" selection remains the standard, with candidates allowed to apply once each in the three recruitment groups (Ga, Na, Da), for a maximum of three applications.
Kyung Hee University and Hanyang University change screening criteria
- Universities like Kyung Hee and Hanyang have shifted their Regular Admissions (excluding certain sports and arts majors) from "100% CSAT" to "90% CSAT + 10% Student Record Assessment," signaling a trend toward incorporating student records into the regular admissions process.
Vocational College Regular Admissions
15,126 spots for 2026 Vocational College Regular Admissions
- The Korean Council for College Education announced that vocational colleges nationwide plan to recruit 15,126 freshmen. The impact of vacancies carried over from rolling admissions is a key factor to watch.
Policy & Institutional Changes
KCUE completes publication of 2026 Admissions Implementation Plan
- The Korean Council for University Education (KCUE) has released its implementation plan based on the 2026 Admissions Basic Guidelines, emphasizing the normalization of school education, reduction of private education costs, and simplicity and fairness in the admissions process.
Major University Updates
Seoul National University continues 'Na' group recruitment
- Seoul National University has operated its regular admissions under the 'Na' recruitment group since 2021 and will maintain this trend for 2026. Applicants should base their strategies on the previous year's admissions outcomes.
Analysis & Outlook
Gradual shift from purely CSAT-based to including student records As more universities incorporate school records into regular admissions, a multi-layered evaluation process is replacing the sole reliance on CSAT scores. Changes at major universities like Kyung Hee and Hanyang underscore the increasing importance of extracurricular activity and student record management.
Easier CSAT thresholds may widen the application pool Lowering CSAT requirements will likely allow more students to qualify for rolling admissions, potentially increasing competition ratios. Since the weight of school transcripts remains high, balancing GPA management with CSAT preparation is essential.
Heightened competition expected within the 19.8% regular quota While the removal of Inquiry subject restrictions expands options for applicants, the limited number of regular admissions spots suggests fierce competition. Ultimately, the difficulty level of the CSAT will be the decisive factor for final competition ratios.
Essential Weekly Schedule
- Nov 13, 2025: 2026 CSAT exam date (one day earlier than the previous year).
- During June: Check university admissions briefing schedules and finalized rolling admission guidelines.
- July–August: Rolling admission application window (be sure to check individual university websites for exact dates).
Student & Parent Checklist
- Calculate GPA after June Mock Exam: Use sites like "Admiss" (University Where) or Jinhak to input your grades, attendance, and volunteer records to estimate your curriculum score.
- Analyze High School Records: For those applying to Comprehensive Student Record tracks, analyze 1st and 2nd-year records and plan activities to round out your 3rd-year, 1st-semester profile.
- Review University-Specific Changes: Research the eased CSAT thresholds and altered screening criteria for schools like Kyung Hee and Hanyang to adjust your strategy.
- Utilize Counseling Services: If needed, take advantage of private consulting, metropolitan/provincial education office counseling, or university-hosted counseling services to check your application plan.
Issues to Watch
- 2026 CSAT Difficulty & September Mock Exam: The September mock exam will serve as a critical indicator of the final CSAT difficulty, influencing regular admissions competition.
- Finalized University Recruitment Guidelines: Expect final updates on admissions numbers and CSAT thresholds in July.
- CSAT Grade Cut-off Analysis: After the November exam, grade analysis in early December will be the key to success for regular admissions.
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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