'The Third Admission' Nationwide Universities to Recruit Additional 26,000 Students...Record High

Number of Additional Admissions Up by 16,299 Compared to Last Year Due to Decrease in Examinees
Additional Recruitment in Medical, Dental, and Korean Medicine Departments at Dankook University, Busan National University, and Others

Additional Recruitment Quotas for Metropolitan Area Universities in the 2021 Academic Year (Source: Korea Council for University Education)

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] Universities nationwide are recruiting an additional 26,000 new students who were not filled during the regular admission process. With additional recruitment extending to medical schools, dental schools, and Korean medicine schools, and the recruitment scale being the largest ever, this additional recruitment has emerged as the 'third admission phase.'

According to the University Education Council on the 22nd, 162 universities nationwide will recruit 26,129 additional students. This is an increase of 16,299 compared to last year. The number of examinees has decreased, and with the extended admission schedule due to COVID-19 overlapping with the Lunar New Year holiday and the announcement and registration period for additional successful candidates, the number of students to be filled in the additional recruitment has increased.

Additional recruitment is available to those who have not been accepted or registered in early admission or who have given up registration for regular admission by 4 p.m. on the 19th. Application submission, announcement of successful candidates, and registration for additional recruitment will be held from the 22nd to 9 p.m. on the 27th. Each university will conduct application submission, screening, announcement of successful candidates, and registration, which must be completed by the 28th.

This year, universities that have been conducting additional recruitment since last year, such as Dongguk University (Seoul) with 27 students, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies with 38 students, and Hongik University (Seoul) with 47 students, have increased their additional recruitment numbers, so more applicants are expected to apply.

There are also universities recruiting additional students in medical schools, dental schools, and Korean medicine pre-medical courses. For medical pre-medical courses, Dankook University is recruiting 2 students, and Kosin University, Pusan National University, and Eulji University are recruiting 1 student each. For dental pre-medical courses, Dankook University is recruiting 3 students, Wonkwang University 2 students, and Gangneung-Wonju National University, Pusan National University, and Jeonbuk National University 1 student each. For Korean medicine pre-medical courses, Gachon University and Woosuk University are recruiting 1 student each.

Additional Recruitment Numbers by Admission Type for the 2021 Academic Year (Source: Korea Council for University Education)

Among the universities conducting additional recruitment, most select students for general admission in humanities and natural sciences based on 100% CSAT scores. Some universities, such as Nazareth University and Woosuk University (excluding Korean medicine pre-medical courses), select students based on 100% school records. Those who did not take the CSAT or have low scores can consider applying to these universities' admission processes.

Each university has different application deadlines and times, and the application period is often short, lasting only 2 to 3 days, so it is essential to check the application deadline and time on the university's website. Soongsil University closes applications at 6 p.m. on the 23rd, Dongguk University (Seoul) at 4 p.m. on the 24th (Wednesday), and Kookmin University at 5 p.m. on the 24th. Since the number of recruits per department may increase during the application period, applicants should consider the schedule for additional recruitment before applying hastily.

Heo Cheol, Senior Researcher at Jinhaksa Admission Strategy Research Institute, advised, "Students who have been accepted through early or regular admissions cannot apply, so this year, with increased recruitment numbers, may be the right time to succeed. High-achieving students can prioritize departments with many recruits within the university, while those with lower scores might consider applying to preferred departments with fewer recruits, keeping in mind the possibility of filling vacancies."

There is no limit to the number of applications for additional recruitment, and those accepted to junior colleges or industrial universities can also apply. The number of unfilled spots has significantly increased in universities located in Seoul, the metropolitan area, and provinces, with student attrition expected to worsen especially in provincial areas. Lim Seongho, CEO of Jongro Academy Haneul Education, said, "With continued non-face-to-face classes due to COVID-19, there is a possibility of additional attrition after the semester starts through retaking exams or transferring."