South Korean medical school applicants decline 1,728 spots due to multiple admissions

An analysis of the 2026 academic year rolling admissions for 39 medical schools in South Korea reveals that 1,728 successful applicants declined their spots. This figure represents 95.4% of the 1,812 total positions available through the rolling admission process.

The high rate of attrition is attributed to students receiving multiple offers from different institutions. Data shows a trend where students admitted to regional medical schools often opt for universities in the Seoul metropolitan area, while those admitted to schools in the Gyeongin region frequently move to top-tier Seoul institutions. For instance, Seoul National University Medical School reported zero attrition across both general and regional balanced admission tracks.

By admission type, the student record-based curriculum track saw a higher turnover rate, with 1,039 students declining spots for 920 available positions. The comprehensive student record track saw 689 students decline 892 positions. Experts suggest that the upcoming introduction of the regional physician system and the subsequent expansion of medical school quotas may lead to even higher rates of multiple admissions and subsequent attrition in future cycles.