South Korean university essay-based admissions see surge in applicants

For the 2027 academic year university admissions in South Korea, more than half of the applicants for general screening at 44 major universities have applied through essay-based tracks. According to an analysis by Jinhaksa, essay-based applicants accounted for 54.1% of the total 1,132,402 applications, despite representing only 22.5% of the total recruitment quota.

The average competition rate for essay-based tracks rose to 48.14:1, up from 43.45:1 the previous year. Experts suggest students are using essay exams as a ‘reversal card’ to compensate for lower high school academic records (GPA). This trend is further driven by an increase in N-su students (repeat exam takers) and the fact that this is the final year of the current admissions system.

Competition was particularly intense in medical and pharmacy departments. Kyung Hee University’s Oriental Medicine (Humanities) program recorded the highest rate at 622.20:1. Other high-competition areas included pharmacy programs at Sahmyook University and Ajou University, as well as semiconductor contract departments at Sogang and Hanyang Universities. In the humanities sector, Kookmin University’s Business Administration department saw a rate of 389.09:1.

Admissions experts advise students not to be discouraged by high initial competition rates, noting that the actual competition often drops to less than one-quarter once absences and failure to meet minimum CSAT (Suneung) requirements are factored in.