"Even Securities Company Executives Retake the CSAT"... Medical School Admission Briefing Causes Stir [Report]

Over 1,000 Attend Emergency Briefing
Parents, Graduates, and Workers Present
"Metropolitan Area Quotas Should Also Be Increased," Concerns Raised

At 7 p.m. on the 13th, the Megastudy Medical and Pharmaceutical Specialist Center in Seocho-gu, Seoul was bustling with crowds. The 'Analysis Briefing on the Admission Landscape Due to Medical School Quota Expansion' was heated with enthusiasm. It was a scene that did not match the cold winter weather of February. This was the result created by about 1,000 visitors.

The two floors, divided into graduates and current students, were packed to the point that the phrase "a sea of people" naturally came to mind. Every classroom, which could accommodate about 100 people, was full. For a while, attendees had to line up to get a chance to enter. Especially in the lecture rooms prepared for graduates, not only repeat test-takers and parents but also people of various ages were evenly mixed. The expansion of medical school admissions came as an opportunity for medical-related professions.

At 7:30 PM on the 13th, people lined up to enter the 'Analysis Briefing on the Admission Landscape Due to Medical School Expansion' held at the Megastudy Medical Science Specialized Hall in Seocho-gu, Seoul.
[Photo by Park Joon-yi]

Kim Su-yeon (29, female, Uiwang-si, Gyeonggi), who works as a nurse, said, "I was originally a long-term student, but after a few years, I decided to try preparing for the CSAT again, so I came to today's lecture." She added, "Since the medical school quota is being significantly increased, especially the quotas for regional universities, it seems worth preparing again."

The government announced on the 6th that starting from the 2025 academic year, the medical school quota will be increased by 2,000 students, expanding from the current 3,058 to 5,058. The Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health and Welfare plan to finalize the allocation of medical school quotas by university by April.

Parents expressed their expectations for the medical school quota expansion. Parent A (female, Gyeyang-gu, Incheon), who has a graduate child, said, "My child is not preparing for medical school, but I came to the briefing to hear about the academy because of the news about the significant increase in quotas." Parent B, who attended the lecture that day, also said, "I was curious about the quota increase news, so I came."

However, the atmosphere in the current students' section was quite different. The influx of examinees due to the medical school quota expansion could mean more competition for current students. In particular, there were concerns about the government's plan to significantly increase the quotas for non-metropolitan medical schools, including 60% for regional talent selection.

Parent C, who has a child in the third year of high school, said, "From the perspective of a current student, I have prepared all the grades, but I am worried that my child might not meet the minimum requirements." They added, "Usually, only parents attend briefings, but today there were many young men, which surprised me." They continued, "It is much more advantageous to go to a medical school in the provinces. I hope some fairness can be maintained with students preparing for medical school in the metropolitan area."

On the evening of the 13th at 7:30 PM, people are attending a lecture at the 'Medical School Admission Landscape Analysis Seminar due to Medical School Expansion' held at the Megastudy Medical Science Specialized Center in Seocho-gu, Seoul.
[Photo by Park Joon-yi]

Nam Yoon-gon, head of the Megastudy Admission Strategy Research Institute, who gave the lecture that day, said, "This is the first time so many people have come to the academy." He added, "Even executives from securities companies say they will retake the CSAT. Repeat test-takers who were finally accepted this year have also contacted me saying they will prepare for the CSAT again."

However, Nam said, "We need to observe for a while longer," adding, "We need to see whether they are just gathering information or if they will actually take the CSAT to prepare for medical school."