Among 906 First-Round Admitted Students to SKY Universities, Enrollment Canceled... Presumed Medical School Enrollment

Logos of Seoul National University, Korea University, and Yonsei University (clockwise from the left). Photo by Asia Economy DB

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] The number of examinees who gave up their enrollment in the first round of regular admissions for Seoul National University, Yonsei University, and Korea University for the 2023 academic year has exceeded 900.

According to Jongno Academy on the 11th, an analysis of the initial acceptance enrollment withdrawal data for the 2023 academic year regular admissions at Seoul National University, Yonsei University, and Korea University showed that a total of 906 students gave up their enrollment. This is an increase of 97 from last year's 809.

By university, Seoul National University had 104, Yonsei University 459, and Korea University 343. Among those who gave up enrollment, most natural science students are presumed to have entered medical and pharmaceutical fields, while in the humanities, science students who cross-applied and were accepted in humanities gave up humanities enrollment because they were also accepted in science or medical fields.

Looking at the ratio of enrollment withdrawals relative to the number of recruits, the humanities saw a slight increase compared to the previous year, while the natural sciences remained at a similar level.

In the humanities, 414 students gave up enrollment, an increase of 41 from last year's 373. The withdrawal rate was 20.6%, up 2.1 percentage points from last year's 18.5%.

By school, humanities enrollment withdrawals were 39 at Seoul National University, 234 at Yonsei University, and 141 at Korea University.

In the natural sciences, 454 students gave up enrollment, 34 more than last year's 420, but the withdrawal rate was 20.3%, similar to last year's 20.4%.

Seoul National University had 64, Yonsei University 198, and Korea University 192.

There were also 46 enrollment withdrawals in the medical and pharmaceutical fields within the natural sciences. It is presumed that those accepted to dental or pharmaceutical schools moved to medical schools at other universities, and those accepted to medical schools moved to Seoul National University College of Medicine or similar.

At Seoul National University, 13 students withdrew (3 dental, 6 pharmaceutical, 4 veterinary), Yonsei University had 26 (7 medical, 7 dental, 8 pharmaceutical, 4 at the Wonju Medical Campus), and Korea University had 7 (4 medical, 3 pharmaceutical at Sejong Campus).

Lim Sung-ho, CEO of Jongno Academy, analyzed the increase in humanities enrollment withdrawals by saying, "In the integrated CSAT, science students cross-applied to humanities and were accepted, but since they were also accepted to science or medical fields, more students who passed Seoul National University, Yonsei University, and Korea University are giving up enrollment."

Jongno Academy expects the final number of enrollment withdrawals in the regular admissions for Seoul National University, Yonsei University, and Korea University to increase by about 100 compared to last year’s first round, with the total final enrollment withdrawals also expected to rise from last year’s 1,301. CEO Lim said, "Seoul National University is expected to have enrollment withdrawals at about last year’s level, while Yonsei and Korea Universities are expected to see an increase compared to last year."