Even After Medical School Admission, Many Fail to Register... Increase in Overlapping Acceptances Amid Enrollment Expansion Sparks 'Departure Domino'

74% of Hanyang University College of Medicine and 55% of Korea University College of Medicine Withdraw Registration

In the 2025 academic year college admissions early decision process, the number of students who were accepted to medical schools but declined to enroll has increased. This appears to be due to the significant increase in medical school quotas, resulting in more students being accepted to multiple schools.

Yonhap News

According to Jongno Academy on the 22nd, among 357 early decision initial successful candidates at six medical schools?Catholic University, Korea University, Seoul National University, Yonsei University, Ewha Womans University, and Hanyang University?131 students declined to enroll. Last year, the non-enrollment rate for early decision at these schools was 31.2%, but it rose to 36.7% this year.

In particular, Hanyang University had 43 students, or 74.1% of its 58 admitted students, who did not register. Korea University saw 37 students, or 55.2% of 67 admitted, decline enrollment. Yonsei University (41.3%), Catholic University (37.5%), and Ewha Womans University (22.2%) followed. In contrast, Seoul National University had all 95 admitted students complete their registration.

The nationwide medical school quota for the 2025 academic year increased by 1,509 students compared to the previous year. In this situation, it is analyzed that top-tier students who were accepted to multiple major universities chose to enroll in only one medical school, declining others. Jongno Academy explained, "While the quotas for Seoul-area medical schools did not increase, the expansion of quotas in the Gyeongin and provincial areas has dispersed outstanding students, causing difficulties in recruitment."

The non-enrollment rate is even higher in provincial medical schools. Among provincial medical schools that disclosed non-enrollment numbers?Busan National University, Yonsei University (Mirae Campus), Jeju National University, and Chungbuk National University?a total of 118 students, or 41.5% of 284 early decision initial successful candidates, declined to enroll. This is also a significantly higher figure compared to last year’s 29.1%.

The enrollment rate for the regional talent admission track, which usually boasts a high registration rate, was also low. Among the total 173 regional talent admission spots at the four schools above, 75 students (43.4%) declined enrollment. The previous year’s non-enrollment rate was only 26.3%.