A Year of Many Changes in College Admissions... Must Check 'Establishment of No-Major Track, Removal of Exploration Restrictions,' and More

Entrance Exam Industry "Meticulous Strategy Needed This Year"
Major Universities Abolish Elective Subject Designation
Increase in Group C Selection with Introduction of No-Major Track
Need to Confirm Changes in Regular Admission Quotas

After completing the 2025 College Scholastic Ability Test, examinees have entered 'university admission mode.' The admissions industry advises that, given the many changes in college admissions this year, such as the relaxation of elective subject restrictions and the expansion of free major (undeclared major) programs, strategies should be established in accordance with the revised admissions guidelines.

On the 14th, a parent attending the '2024 Academic Year Regular Admission Strategy Briefing' held at Jamsil Student Gymnasium in Seoul is attentively examining an analysis chart containing strategies for regular admission success. Photo by Jo Yongjun jun21@

According to the admissions industry on the 18th, this year’s college admissions saw an increase in universities relaxing elective subject restrictions for science and engineering departments, resulting in the so-called ‘Satam Run (Social Studies + run)’ phenomenon. The number of applicants choosing social studies and those applying with one social studies subject and one science subject increased by 26,593 (11.3%) and 33,007 (172%), respectively.

Following last year’s Sogang University and Sungkyunkwan University, this year most major universities such as Konkuk University (Seoul), Kyung Hee University, and University of Seoul lifted the designation of math and science elective subjects for natural science departments. Uway stated, "In natural science departments, the calculation of advantages and disadvantages between social studies and science subject test-takers, depending on the method of reflecting additional points for science subjects and the conversion scores for inquiry subjects, can change the cutoff scores, so a more meticulous strategy is necessary," adding, "Applicants should consider the method of utilizing the inquiry conversion standard scores of their desired universities when applying."

This year, with the establishment of undeclared major departments (undergraduate programs) at most universities, the number of admissions in the third recruitment group (Da-gun) increased. In particular, applicants may flock to Da-gun, which has a smaller recruitment scale compared to the first (Ga-gun) and second (Na-gun) groups. Until last year, only some universities conducted Da-gun recruitment, but this year most major universities including Korea University (Seoul), Dongguk University (Seoul), Sogang University, Seoul National University of Science and Technology, Sejong University, Ewha Womans University, and Hanyang University (Seoul) are also conducting Da-gun recruitment.

It is also necessary to check changes in the number of regular admissions by university. Seoul National University, which expanded the number of regular admissions last year, will further increase the number of regular admissions from 1,523 to 1,540 this year, adding 17 more spots. On the other hand, Konkuk University (Seoul), Dankook University (Jukjeon), University of Seoul, Ajou University, and Chung-Ang University have reduced their regular admission numbers.

Additionally, to reduce cross-application by natural science examinees, the number of universities increasing the reflection ratio of CSAT inquiry subjects for humanities departments has also grown. Furthermore, with the increase of interdisciplinary departments, more universities have expanded the option to select and reflect the higher score among two CSAT subjects. Jinhaksa stated, "This year’s college admissions combine various issues such as the increase in medical school quotas, expansion of undeclared major departments, abolition of designated CSAT subject areas with additional points awarded, and increased Da-gun recruitment, making it difficult to establish effective application strategies by simply comparing scores and past admissions results," urging applicants to develop their own strategies.