Science high school applicants in South Korea hit 11-year high

Applications for the 2027 academic year at South Korea's 22 science high schools have reached an 11-year high. According to data released by Jongro Academy, a total of 6,282 students applied, marking a 12.1% increase from the previous year and resulting in an average competition rate of 3.38 to 1.

The surge in applicants is largely attributed to the establishment of new science high schools in the Gyeonggi region, specifically Bucheon Science High School and Bundang Jungang Science High School. These new institutions saw high interest, with both schools recording competition rates exceeding 4 to 1.

This increase in interest in science high schools occurs despite a growing national trend of students gravitating toward medical schools and the expansion of medical school quotas through the regional physician system. Experts suggest that the high interest in STEM fields remains strong among top-tier students, driven in part by the popularity of specialized contract departments related to the semiconductor industry and high-tech sectors.

While metropolitan areas saw a significant jump in applicants, non-metropolitan science high schools experienced only a marginal increase. Gyeonggi North Science High School recorded the highest competition rate at 5.30 to 1.