"Due to Medical School Admission Frenzy? 10% of New Students at Science and Technology Institutes Take Leave in Second Semester"

More Students Expected to Take Leave After Entrance Exams
Rep. Lee Jeongheon: "Fundamental Reform Needed"

Main gate of Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology.
[Photo by Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)]

Amid expectations that the number of medical school admissions will significantly increase starting next year, it has been revealed that more than one in ten freshmen admitted to the four major science and technology institutes this year took a leave of absence in the second semester. There are calls to address the issue of talented science and engineering students being diverted to medical schools.

According to Lee Jeong-heon, a member of the National Assembly's Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting Committee from the Democratic Party, a total of 155 freshmen who enrolled this year at the four major science and technology institutes?Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), and Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST)?took a leave of absence in the second semester.

The total number of freshmen at these universities is 1,530 (KAIST 730, GIST 200, DGIST 200, UNIST 400). Of these, 10.1% took a leave of absence. Specifically, the numbers were estimated at a minimum of 68 for UNIST, 40 for KAIST, 18 for GIST, and 29 for DGIST. KAIST and UNIST provided the number of students on leave for both the first and second semesters as well as for the first semester only to the assembly member's office, and the difference between these values was used to estimate the minimum number.

When combining the students on leave for both the first and second semesters at the four major science and technology institutes, the total reaches 185 students (12.1%). The number of students on leave in the first semester was 18 at UNIST, 8 at KAIST, 2 at GIST, and 2 at DGIST, totaling 30 students.

Unlike other universities, the science and technology institutes fall under the Ministry of Science and ICT rather than the Ministry of Education. This allows for flexible academic management and the creation of curricula specialized in science and engineering. Nevertheless, it appears that many students have struggled to adapt and have taken leaves of absence. It is known that the leave of absence requirements for freshmen at these institutes are less stringent in the second semester than in the first. Additionally, the number of dropouts (including withdrawals and expulsions) has been increasing over the past four years.

According to data submitted to the assembly member's office, the total number of dropouts at the four major science and technology institutes last year was 288. The dropout numbers were 277 in 2020, 259 in 2021, and 295 in 2022. As of the end of August this year, there have been 30 dropouts: 3 at KAIST, 7 at GIST, 8 at DGIST, and 12 at UNIST. This number is expected to increase further after this year's admissions are completed.

Assembly member Lee Jeong-heon pointed out that the number of students on leave at the four major science and technology institutes reaches 185, emphasizing, "We must first resolve the structural problem in our society caused by the medical school admissions frenzy to ensure that the dreams of science and engineering talents are not shaken." He added, "We need to give science and engineering talents the belief that if they study hard and achieve results, they will be rewarded in the future," and stated, "It is time for fundamental reform."