Today's University Admissions News — May 23, 2026

Today's Headline

1 sources

spnews.co.kr

[오늘의 NK 미디어 브리핑] 2026년 5월 21일 < 오늘의 NK 미디어 브리핑 < NK 데이터센터 < 기사본문 - SPN 서울평양뉴스

2028 SKY Admissions: School Records Expand as CSAT Minimums Shrink

• What's happening?: Seoul National University, Korea University, and Yonsei University (SKY) are projected to significantly expand the influence of school records in both regular and early admissions for 2028. The number of students admitted through early admissions without College Scholastic Ability Test minimum score requirements will increase substantially, while school records will also weigh more heavily in regular admissions. The 2028 admissions system overhaul will be implemented in conjunction with the nationwide introduction of the high school credit system.
• Who's affected?: Current middle school 2nd and 3rd graders and prospective test-takers aiming for SKY enrollment and their parents.
• Why it matters?: The shift from CSAT-centered admissions to school record-centered admissions could significantly reshape the private education landscape, making in-school academics the new competitive edge. Strategic management of GPA and extracurricular activities becomes even more critical.

1 sources

newspim.com

2028학년도 SKY 입시, 수능최저 줄고 학생부 영향력 커진다

Ministry of Education Announces 2026 Second Semester National Scholarship Applications

• What's happening?: On May 21, 2026, the Ministry of Education posted guidance on its official website titled "Apply Now for Peace of Mind in University Life," announcing applications for 2026 second semester national scholarships. Both current students and new enrollees must apply within the specified period.
• Who's affected?: All university students and new enrollees, particularly low-income students needing financial support.
• Why it matters?: Missing the national scholarship application window means losing financial aid opportunities, making it essential to check the application period and access the Korean Scholarship Foundation website immediately. Both parents and students need to act quickly.

Ministry of Education Hosts 2026 Parent Education Policy Monitoring Group Launch Ceremony

• What's happening?: The Ministry of Education held the "2026 Parent Education Policy Monitoring Group Launch Ceremony" on May 21, 2026. This organization will gather on-the-ground feedback on education policies and serve a policy feedback function.
• Who's affected?: Parents nationwide and education policy stakeholders.
• Why it matters?: An official channel for parent voice in education policy is being strengthened, potentially allowing parent perspectives to be more heavily reflected in future admissions system reform discussions.

Key Trends by Admission Type

Regular Admissions

2028 Regular Admissions Changes Signaled — School Records Gain Ground, CSAT Minimums Ease For 2028 SKY admissions, school record-based admissions are expected to significantly relax or eliminate College Scholastic Ability Test minimum score requirements. The number of students admitted through regular admissions without CSAT minimums is projected to rise sharply, signaling that school record management becomes the pivotal factor in regular admissions success. Both school record GPA and school record comprehensive admissions will hinge on the quality of school records maintained. The distinction and persuasiveness of school record submissions and interviews will intensify once CSAT minimums disappear.

Current 2026 Regular Admissions: School Record-Based Tracks Account for 85.9% As of current 2026 admissions, regular admissions represent 79.9% of total recruiting capacity, with school record-based admissions making up 85.9% of that. School record GPA admissions form the largest segment at 56.4% of regular admissions recruiting capacity. The strength of school record-based admissions is expected to continue through 2028.

Early Admissions

2026 Early Admissions: 19.8% of Total Recruiting Capacity — CSAT-Focused Approach Maintained Early admissions for 2026 will recruit 69,272 students, representing 19.8% of total recruiting capacity. While maintaining a CSAT-focused admissions approach, from 2028 onward the proportion of school records reflected in early admissions is expected to rise. Test-takers can apply to a maximum of three schools per quota tier, structurally different from the six applications available in regular admissions.

2028 Early Admissions: School Records Share Projected to Expand For 2028 admissions, school records are being discussed as a component of early admissions recruiting. School records could become a variable in admissions cutoff lines at SKY and other leading universities, underscoring the heightened importance of GPA management for current 10th and 11th graders.

CSAT & Mock Exams

2027 CSAT Schedule Signaled — Planned for November 2026 The 2026 CSAT (administered November 2025) has already concluded, and the 2027 CSAT is scheduled for November 2026. Current 12th graders are approximately six months from the exam and entering the final intensive study phase.

Policy & System Changes

Ministry of Education Discusses Korea-Oman Educational Cooperation On May 21, 2026, Vice Minister Choi Eun-ok discussed Korea-Oman educational cooperation plans with Oman's education ministry counterpart. While not a direct admissions policy change, it reflects the Ministry's expanded international exchange orientation, with potential long-term impacts on domestic education policy.

2028 Admissions System Overhaul — Linked to High School Credit System The 2028 admissions system reform announced December 27, 2023, will be implemented alongside the full introduction of the high school credit system (2025), encompassing expanded school record influence, relaxed CSAT minimums, and discussion of essay-style evaluations. Current 10th and 11th graders must familiarize themselves with reform details.

Korean Council for University Education Recommends Adherence to Core Principles The Korean Council for University Education (KCUE) continues to recommend that universities maintain foundational admissions principles outlined in the "2026 University Admissions System Basic Guidelines" — normalization of school education, reduction of private education spending, simplification of admissions, and fairness assurance.

Major University News

Seoul National, Yonsei, and Korea University (SKY) — 2028 School Record-Focused Reforms Signaled

From 2028 onward, all three SKY institutions are projected to strengthen school record weight in both regular and early admissions. In particular, Korea University began relaxing CSAT minimum requirements starting in 2026, with more extensive system overhauls coming in 2028. Once CSAT minimums disappear from school record comprehensive admissions, the discriminative power of application materials and interviews will intensify.

Sungkyunkwan University — New School Record Track & Essay Exam Restructured

Sungkyunkwan University established a new school record comprehensive admissions track called "Sungkyun Talent Admissions" and revised GPA reflection methods for school record GPA admissions. The essay admissions track now divides into language and quantitative forms, with changes to CSAT utility indicators in early admissions Group B.

Korea University, Incheon University, Hongik University, Sookmyung Women's University — Inquiry Subject Requirements Eliminated

Starting with 2026 admissions, four universities—Korea University, Incheon University, Hongik University, and Sookmyung Women's University (which previously required one science subject)—eliminated inquiry subject response restrictions. This broadens inquiry selection strategy options, particularly expanding application scope for science and engineering applicants.

Analysis & Outlook

1. Accelerating Paradigm Shift Toward School Records As of 2026, school record-based admissions account for 85.9% of regular admissions, with 2028 expected to see expanded school record reflection in early admissions. This represents a transition from short-term CSAT score management to a system where three years of overall school life determines admissions outcomes. Test-takers need systematic GPA management and extracurricular portfolio planning from their first year onward.

2. CSAT's Evolving Role — From Gate to Differentiator Against a backdrop of relaxing CSAT minimum requirements, the CSAT's function is bifurcating: from a "pass/fail barrier" to "the key variable for early admissions success." For admissions tracks maintaining CSAT minimums, CSAT preparation remains essential; for minimum-free tracks, school records and interviews become decisive.

3. Current 12th Graders in 2026 — Strategic Reset After June Mock Exam Essential Current 12th graders face the June CSAT mock exam (scheduled June 2026). Based on mock results, they must recalibrate their regular-to-early admissions application ratio and objectively assess whether they can meet CSAT minimum requirements.

This Week's Must-Do Schedule

Student & Parent Checklist

1. Check National Scholarship Application Period Immediately — Verify the 2026 second semester national scholarship application period announced by the Ministry of Education on May 21, 2026, on the Korean Scholarship Foundation website (), and apply without missing the deadline.

2. Understand 2028 Admissions System Overhaul (10th & 11th Graders) — Grasp the expanded school record reflection and relaxed CSAT minimums at SKY and leading universities, and strengthen management of your school's course grades and detailed ability descriptions now.

3. Check Universities Eliminating Inquiry Subject Restrictions — Korea University, Incheon University, Hongik University, and Sookmyung Women's University eliminated inquiry subject application restrictions starting 2026; if considering these universities, reassess your inquiry selection strategy.

4. Reset Regular/Early Application Balance After June Mock Exam — 12th graders should objectively analyze CSAT minimum score attainment feasibility based on June mock results and establish a balanced regular/early admissions application strategy.

Issues to Monitor

1. 2028 Admissions System Specifics Emerging — Detailed 2028 admissions plans from SKY and other leading universities are expected from the second half of 2026 onward. Pay close attention to school record reflection methods, interview structure changes, and CSAT utility shifts.

2. June Mock Exam Results Reshaping Regular Admissions Strategy — Once June mock results release, test-taker behavior will likely shift between regular admissions focus versus continued CSAT preparation. Each university's regular admissions competition rate predictions will shift accordingly.

3. Medical School Expansion Impact on Admissions — As medical school expansion debates continue, monitor how rising medical/health science applicants affect top-tier university competition rates and whether top-score concentration intensifies in 2026 early admissions.

⚠️ Editor's Note: As of today (May 23, 2026), newly published in-depth admissions articles from specialized media within the past 24 hours are limited. This edition centers on Ministry of Education announcements confirmed between May 21–23, 2026, and major issues from the past 1–2 weeks. For the latest information, consult the Korean Council for University Education () and Ministry of Education () official channels directly.