Today's University Admissions News — 2026-05-10

Today's Headline

2028 Academic Year SKY Admissions: School Records Determine Success or Failure

• What's happening?: In 2028 academic year admissions at Seoul National University, Yonsei University, and Korea University (SKY), the proportion of students selected without the college scholastic ability test minimum score requirement (minimum CSAT score) will significantly increase. With school record (akademic record) reflection exceeding 50% in regular admissions as well, school record management has become more important than ever.
• Who's affected?: Current middle school 2nd and 3rd graders (2028 academic year test-takers) and their parents, as well as high school 1st graders preparing mid- to long-term study strategies for the 2028 admissions overhaul.
• Why it matters?: A strategic shift from test-focused preparation to school record management is necessary, and with school records potentially determining pass or fail even in regular admissions, fundamental changes in admission strategy are required.

1 sources

etnews.com

[에듀플러스]2028학년도

SKY Regular (Non-Test) Admissions Dramatically Expand Recruitment Without Minimum CSAT Score

• What's happening?: According to reporting by News Pim today (May 10), the number of students selected in 2028 academic year SKY non-test admissions without the college scholastic ability test minimum score requirement will significantly increase. The influence of school records is expected to grow in both non-test and regular admissions.
• Who's affected?: All prospective and current test-takers targeting SKY universities.
• Why it matters?: Structural changes making it difficult to enter SKY universities on CSAT scores alone are becoming visible, making it essential to implement strategies that simultaneously manage both internal grades and non-curricular activities from now on.

1 sources

newspim.com

2028학년도 SKY 입시, 수능최저 줄고 학생부 영향력 커진다

Major Universities Begin "Tone Adjustment" in Admission Design Ahead of 2028 Overhaul

• What's happening?: According to Veritas Alpha's findings, major universities have begun "tone adjustment" in admission design through mutual discussion ahead of the 2028 admissions overhaul. Signs of preparations for 2028 are already being detected at a time when 2026 admissions have not yet completed supplementary recruitment.
• Who's affected?: All test-takers, particularly those currently in middle school or younger.
• Why it matters?: Universities moving first suggests that the 2028 academic year admissions structure could differ significantly from the current system, signaling the need to establish preparatory strategies early.

2027 Academic Year Major University Admissions Changes — Seoul City University Expands Qualitative Evaluation in School Record Course Admissions

• What's happening?: According to Chosun Edu (reported May 8, 2026), Seoul City University has begun reflecting qualitative evaluation at 10% in school record course admissions starting the 2026 academic year, and plans to raise this reflection ratio further in 2027.
• Who's affected?: Test-takers targeting Seoul City University, especially those preparing for school record course admissions.
• Why it matters?: The trend of adding qualitative evaluation to purely grade-focused course admissions is expanding, making comprehensive evaluation of students' capabilities and potential increasingly important.

Key Trends by Admission Type

Non-Test Admissions

SKY Expands Non-Minimum CSAT Score Recruitment: In the 2028 academic year, all three SKY universities will significantly increase the proportion of students selected without the college scholastic ability test minimum score requirement through school record comprehensive admissions only. This means the weight of internal grades and non-curricular activities will increase further.

Seoul City University Strengthens Qualitative Evaluation in School Record Course Admissions: As the proportion of pure grades reflected in school record course admissions decreases and qualitative evaluation elements expand, the era when simply having a high internal grade guarantees admission is ending.

2028 Admissions Overhaul Preparation: Full-Scale Inter-University Discussion Begins: Major universities have begun mutually coordinating admission design, and non-test admissions may also take different forms than currently.

Regular Admissions

SKY Regular Admissions Reflect School Records Over 50%: From the 2028 academic year onward, school record reflection ratio in regular admissions at SKY universities is expected to exceed 50%. This represents a historic change breaking the "regular admissions = CSAT-focused" formula that has held until now.

Changes in CSAT-Focused Regular Admissions Structure: As of the 2026 academic year, the trend of simultaneous contraction in both non-test minimum CSAT score reflection and CSAT-focused regular admissions continues.

CSAT and Mock Exams

2028 Academic Year CSAT Exploration Areas Changed to Integrated Social Studies and Integrated Science: With the 2028 college scholastic ability test overhaul, exploration areas will shift to integrated social studies and integrated science, implemented through relative evaluation. The March 2026 National Achievement Evaluation reflected this change, generating diverse reactions among test-takers.

Policy and Institutional Changes

2028 Admissions Overhaul Fully Launched: Following the Ministry of Education's December 27, 2023 announcement of "2028 University Admissions System Reform Preparing for Future Society," major universities have begun adjusting admission design. School record-focused, reduced minimum CSAT score requirements, and diversified regular admissions are core directions.

2026 Academic Year Non-Test Admissions Reach Record High Proportion: Non-test admissions proportion in overall 2026 recruitment has reached record levels, with 85.9% of non-test admissions selecting students through school record-focused admissions. Regular admissions see 92.2% selecting through CSAT-focused admissions, but this structure is expected to change significantly from the 2028 academic year onward.

High School Credit System and CSAT Exploration Area Reform Interlinked: The shift of exploration areas to integrated social studies and integrated science is connected to the introduction of the high school credit system. This represents institutional change affecting the entire high school curriculum.

News by Major University

Seoul National University, Yonsei University, Korea University (SKY): From the 2028 academic year onward, planning to dramatically expand non-minimum CSAT score recruitment in non-test admissions and raise school record reflection ratio to 50% or higher in regular admissions. This will directly affect current high school 1st graders (2028 academic year test-takers).

Seoul City University: Starting 2026, introducing 10% qualitative evaluation reflection in school record course admissions, with plans to further increase this ratio in 2027. Even course admissions no longer guarantee admission based on grades alone, reflecting structural change.

Sungkyunkwan University: Established new "Sungkyun Talent Admissions," a school record comprehensive admissions type, changed school record course admissions grade reflection methods, and split essay admissions into language and mathematics divisions for separate recruitment.

Ulsan University School of Medicine: Analysis suggests that in 2026 regular admissions outcomes, the average CSAT score for pre-med dropped to 1.15 grade in a temporary decline (noted as "Big 5 first"). Amid continued strength in medical and pharmaceutical fields, undeclared majors and cutting-edge programs are advancing.

Analysis and Outlook

Fundamental Shift to School Record-Focused Admissions: Synthesizing today's reported content, from the 2028 academic year onward, a clear trend shows SKY and other major universities fundamentally restructuring admissions from CSAT-focused to school record-focused. With simultaneous reduction in minimum CSAT score requirements and expanded school record reflection in regular admissions, current middle school students must already prepare according to new standards.

Qualitative Change in Course Admissions: Seoul City University's introduction of qualitative evaluation in course admissions has potential to spread nationwide. The trend shows students' overall school life fulfillment, beyond simple internal grades, emerging as a factor determining pass or fail.

Dual Strength in Medicine/Pharmacy and Undeclared Programs Continues: Analysis of 2026 regular admissions confirms continued strength in medical and pharmaceutical fields, with simultaneous advancement of undeclared majors and cutting-edge programs showing a "dual structure." Test-takers should monitor both trends while establishing realistic application strategies.

Must-Watch Schedule This Week

Note: Specific imminent schedules after May 10, 2026 were not confirmed in research results. Below is the most recent confirmed schedule information mentioned in research results.

• 2026 Academic Year Supplementary Recruitment Ongoing: According to Veritas Alpha reporting, supplementary recruitment is still proceeding with 2026 non-test admissions outcomes not yet disclosed. Check supplementary recruitment schedules and acceptance announcements directly on target university websites.
• 2027 Academic Year Admission Plan Announcements Expected: Universities are sequentially announcing 2027 academic year admission plans. Regularly check target university admissions office notices.
• 2028 Admissions Overhaul-Related Public Hearings and Information Sessions: Check the Ministry of Education (moe.go.kr) and Korean Council for University Education (kcue.or.kr) websites for 2028 admissions overhaul-related public hearings and university-specific admission information sessions.

Test-Taker and Parent Checklist

1. Students Targeting SKY: In preparation for 2028 academic year elimination and reduction of minimum CSAT scores and shift to school record-focused recruitment, immediately review your school record management plan. Carefully manage internal grades, detailed abilities and special skills, and extracurricular activities.

2. Students Targeting Seoul City University and Seoul Metropolitan Area Universities: Since qualitative evaluation is being reflected even in course admissions, pay attention to both grades and the substance and quality of school life. Be sure to check your target university's 2027 academic year admission changes through Chosun Edu (edu.chosun.com) and similar sources.

3. Parents of 2028 Admissions Targets (Current Middle School Students): From the 2028 academic year, exploration areas will shift to the "integrated social studies and integrated science" system and school record reflection will expand. From now on, understand your child's school curriculum and high school credit system adaptation, and establish strategy emphasizing comprehensive admissions over CSAT preparation.

Issues to Watch

1. Release Timing of 2028 Admissions Overhaul Details: While reporting indicates universities have begun "tone adjustment," the timing of the Ministry of Education's official detailed guidelines release remains unclear. Additional announcements within coming weeks are likely and warrant attention.

2. Medical and Pharmaceutical Field Quota Adjustment and Contribution University Program Withdrawal Issues: According to Veritas Alpha's exclusive reporting, analysis suggests universities are increasing withdrawal from the contribution university program citing "burden of admission interference relative to subsidies." This warrants monitoring how universities respond given CSAT-focused admissions pressure.

3. Spread of Elimination of Minimum CSAT Score Requirements: If SKY's minimum CSAT score elimination and reduction trend spreads to mid-tier universities, the admissions structure itself changes. Close monitoring during each university's 2027-2028 academic year admission plan announcements is necessary.