Not Dropping Out and Applying Regularly Does Not Constitute Dual Enrollment
On the 5th, examinees and parents participating in the 'Jongno Academy, 2020 Regular Admission Strategy Briefing' held at Jangchung Gymnasium in Jung-gu, Seoul, are listening to an explanation about regular admission strategies. Photo by Jin-Hyung Kang aymsdream@
[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] The joy of college acceptance is short-lived, as many students who were somewhat disappointed with last year's College Scholastic Ability Test results are now struggling between retaking the exam and "bansu" amid the trend of expanding regular admissions. In the case of bansu (半修), since students prepare for the entrance exam while enrolled in college, the psychological burden is less than retaking the exam, and it offers the advantage of preparing for the worst-case scenario. However, managing both freshman college life and exam preparation simultaneously is by no means easy.
The first thing to check before starting bansu is whether the university you attend allows a leave of absence. Generally, a leave of absence is not permitted during the first semester of the first year, and from the second semester onward, policies vary by university. For example, Hongik University and the University of Seoul explicitly state in their academic regulations that "freshmen cannot take a leave of absence for one year after admission."
For universities where a leave of absence is not possible, some students choose to prepare for the entrance exam while accepting academic probation, known as "hakgo bansu." However, this choice requires very careful consideration because it is difficult to recover credits if the student returns to school. Although university grades can be corrected through retaking courses, many institutions now limit the highest achievable grade upon retaking, making credit management more challenging.
Some students worry about whether applying for regular admissions while still enrolled in college constitutes "double registration." Double registration occurs when a student registers at two or more universities after being accepted in the same admission year. Therefore, the current university does not affect this issue. However, bansu students should be cautious about "double enrollment." If a student does not withdraw from their previous university and enrolls in a new one, it counts as double enrollment and may be grounds for dismissal according to academic regulations. Since the judgment is based on the admission date, bansu students can withdraw by the end of February, after additional admissions.
(Source: Woo Yeon-cheol, Director of Admissions Research at Jinhaksa)
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