Daily University Admissions News — 2026-04-20

📌 Top Stories

1 sources

koreatimes.co.kr

koreatimes.co.kr

Semiconductor departments beat out medical schools for top competition spot

• Key Point: Semiconductor-related departments at Korean universities have surpassed medical schools in admissions competition. This is driven by an employment-focused trend and the rapid surge in demand for the semiconductor industry. Notably, this is the first time the dominance of medical schools, which have held the top spot for decades, has been shaken.
• Impact: Admission cutoffs for science and engineering semiconductor programs are expected to rise compared to last year. Conversely, the concentration of top students toward medical schools may ease slightly.
• Target Audience: Science and engineering applicants and their parents.

1 sources

koreatimes.co.kr

koreatimes.co.kr

2027 Admissions: Top 10 universities finalize early and regular recruitment ratios

• Key Point: For the 2027 academic year, early recruitment for 10 major universities (including Seoul National, Yonsei, and Korea University) is set at 17,983 spots (59.8%), with 12,088 spots (40.2%) for regular admissions. The current system allowing students to apply to up to six universities during the early period remains in place.
• Impact: Since the proportion of regular admissions remains similar to last year, the importance of preparing for the Suneung (CSAT) remains high. A dual strategy covering both early and regular admission routes is essential.
• Target Audience: Current 11th and 12th graders (2027 admissions cycle).

"Recommended Subjects" emerge as key factor for 2028 admissions

• Key Point: Ahead of the 2028 admissions shift incorporating the High School Credit System, "recommended subjects" (required subjects) per university are becoming a critical variable for course selection in high school. These recommendations will impact Comprehensive Student Record screening, curriculum-based screening, and regular admissions. The University Admissions Information Portal (ADIGA) has released data on "2028 Regional and University-Specific Recommended Subjects."
• Impact: Current 9th and 10th graders must verify these recommendations before selecting their courses. Failure to complete recommended subjects may result in disadvantages.
• Target Audience: Current 9th and 10th graders (2028 admissions cycle).

🏫 University Trends

• Veritas Alpha Report: Analysis of the 2026 academic year Student Record entry guidelines suggests that the impact of the "Detailed Ability and Special Attributes" (Seteuk) section on admissions will continue to grow. With self-introduction letters now abolished, Seteuk has become the core evaluation element in Comprehensive Student Record screenings.

• Yonsei University: Discussions are underway regarding the inclusion of high school grades (Naesin) in the 2026 regular admissions cycle. Students should be aware that even in test-focused screenings, high school grades may account for a certain percentage. Standardized test scores and English grades remain the primary variables for regular admissions.

• Seo-Seong-Han-Jung (Sogang, Sungkyunkwan, Hanyang, Chung-Ang): Comprehensive analysis of converted standard scores and bonus points is ongoing. Analysts note that these universities offer a wider range of major-combination strategies compared to the top three schools (SKY) because their cutoff scores are relatively lower.

📊 Admissions Data & Analysis

• Semiconductor vs. Medical School Competition: The shift is driven by a societal focus on job stability and the rapid growth of the semiconductor sector. As of 2026, competition rates for semiconductor departments have officially exceeded those of medical schools.

• 2027 Admissions Ratios: For the top 10 universities, the ratio is 59.8% (early) to 40.2% (regular), maintaining the trend of prioritizing early recruitment.

• Rise in non-medical science students at SKY universities: Data shows a significant increase in students enrolling in non-medical science and engineering fields at Seoul National, Yonsei, and Korea University in 2026, aligning with the trend toward semiconductor and AI-focused majors.

💡 Strategic Tips for Applicants

1. Prepare for higher competition in engineering: Given the rise in competition for semiconductor programs, compare previous years' cutoffs with this year's expected rates. Develop a multi-application strategy including related departments like Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, and Materials Science.

2. Check recommended subjects immediately (9th-10th graders): Use the ADIGA portal to confirm the recommended subjects for your target universities. Use this data to guide your 10th-grade course selection.

3. Strengthen Seteuk (Detailed Ability and Special Attributes) management: Since the removal of personal statements, the importance of the Seteuk section has soared. Communicate actively with teachers and ensure your participation in inquiry activities and classwork is thoroughly documented in your records.

📅 Upcoming Schedule

• Late April – Early May 2026: Announcement of detailed 2027 admissions plans for each university (check individual admission office websites).
• May 2026: Increase use of EBS-linked materials for the 2027 Suneung (held in Nov 2026) and check major mock exam schedules.
• Early Admissions Application (2027 Cycle): Expected around September 2026 — admission guidelines for each university will be released between May and June.