Let's Enter Medical School Through Essay... 412 Applicants Compete for One Spot at Sungkyunkwan University, Highest Competition Rate

With the increase in medical school admissions, the enthusiasm among examinees has intensified, resulting in over 70,000 applicants for the 2025 medical school early admission. This is an increase of about 15,000 compared to last year.

A sign related to medical school entrance exams posted in the academy district of Daechi-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

According to Jongno Academy on the 14th, a total of 72,351 applicants applied to 39 medical schools nationwide (excluding Cha Medical School, a graduate medical school, and based on the quota) by the deadline for early admission applications the previous night. This is an increase of 15,159 applicants (26.5%) compared to last year (57,192 applicants).

Although the number of applicants increased, the overall competition rate dropped due to the increase in the number of admissions this year. The total number of early admission spots for medical schools this year is 3,010, which is a 60.8% increase compared to the previous year (1,872) due to the government's policy to increase medical school admissions. The final competition rate was 24.04 to 1, down from 30.55 to 1 last year.

By region, the Gyeongin area had the highest competition rate at 77.01 to 1, followed by the Seoul area (35.77 to 1) and provincial areas (14.79 to 1).

By university, Gachon University had the highest competition rate at 104.19 to 1, followed by Sungkyunkwan University (90.1 to 1), Chung-Ang University (87.67 to 1), Catholic University (65.3 to 1), Ajou University (59.35 to 1), and Inha University (49.86 to 1).

Catholic Kwandong University, which closed applications at 11:30 PM the previous day, showed a competition rate of 13.1 to 1. Jeonbuk National University, which disclosed its competition rate the previous night, showed 12.38 to 1.

By admission type, Sungkyunkwan University’s medical school essay screening recorded the highest competition rate at 412.5 to 1.

Lim Seong-ho, CEO of Jongno Academy, analyzed, “In provincial universities, the number of applicants is concentrated on regional talent, so fluctuations in acceptance thresholds due to multiple acceptances are expected. A significant number of students in the metropolitan area applied through the essay screening, and these students are mostly repeat test-takers who are also preparing for regular admissions, so competition in the regular admissions may also become intense.”