Simultaneous Surge in Transfers to Top Medical Schools and Student Maladaptation
Dropouts Reported Even at 'Big 5' Medical Schools Including Seoul National University and Yonsei University
Last year, the number of students who dropped out of medical, dental, Korean medicine, and pharmacy schools at universities across South Korea exceeded 1,000. This is the highest figure since related statistics were first compiled. Admissions experts attribute this to a combination of factors: the expansion of medical school enrollment quotas, increased demand for transfers to higher-ranked universities, and issues with students’ aptitude for their chosen majors.
According to an analysis by Jongro Academy of data released on the university information disclosure site 'University Alimi' on October 3, 2025, the number of students who dropped out of medical-related programs nationwide in 2024 reached 1,004. This represents a dramatic 52.1% increase compared to 660 students in 2023, just one year prior. The term 'dropout' includes students who voluntarily withdrew, were expelled, gave up on registration, or abandoned plans to return after a leave of absence-in short, anyone who discontinued their studies before completing the regular academic program.
By field, pharmacy schools recorded the highest number of dropouts at 398. This surge has become particularly pronounced since pharmacy schools switched to an undergraduate system in 2022. The number of pharmacy school dropouts rose from 206 in 2022 to 285 in 2023, and then jumped sharply last year. Medical schools followed with 386 dropouts, while Korean medicine schools saw 138, and dental schools 82 students leaving before graduation. Notably, the number of medical school dropouts increased by 92% year-on-year-the highest growth rate among all fields.
Regionally, more students dropped out from universities outside Seoul and the metropolitan area. In Seoul, there were 228 dropouts, and in the Gyeongin region, 45. In contrast, 215 dropped out in the Honam region, 149 in Chungcheong, 144 in Daegu and Gyeongbuk, 123 in Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam, and 18 in Jeju. By university, Wonkwang University Medical School in Iksan, North Jeolla Province, had the highest number of dropouts nationwide, with 26 students leaving mid-course. Ewha Womans University College of Pharmacy (25), Dongguk University (WISE Campus) College of Korean Medicine (20), and Dankook University Cheonan Campus College of Dentistry (17) also had high numbers of dropouts.
Even at the so-called 'Big 5' medical schools-Seoul National University, Yonsei University, Sungkyunkwan University, Catholic University of Korea, and University of Ulsan-a total of 16 students discontinued their studies. These universities had typically seen fewer than 10 dropouts per year, but last year, for the first time, the figure reached double digits: four each at Seoul National University and Sungkyunkwan University, three each at Yonsei University and Catholic University of Korea, and two at University of Ulsan. Over the past five years, the number of dropouts at these universities has shown a gradual increase: seven in 2020, four in 2021, eight in 2022, and thirteen in 2023.
'Vertical Movement' to Higher-Ranked Medical Schools Due to Enrollment Expansion Also a Factor
Medical staff are moving inside a large hospital in downtown Seoul on September 1. Photo by Yonhap News
Admissions experts identify the main cause of the increase in dropouts as 'vertical movement' between medical schools, driven by the expansion of medical school enrollment quotas. In particular, with a significant increase in medical school quotas starting this year, there has already been a notable rise in students retaking entrance exams in hopes of transferring to higher-ranked medical schools since last year. The demanding nature of these majors, combined with a lowered barrier to entry, has prompted some students to switch to more prestigious medical schools or to pursue their preferred career paths. There are also ongoing reports of students who initially enrolled in dental or pharmacy schools later transferring to medical schools.
Jongro Academy stated, "As medical school quotas increase, the intensified competition has led to the side effect of more students discontinuing their studies," and added, "The number of dropouts may continue to rise in the future." The academy predicts that until the policy of expanding medical school enrollment stabilizes, student transfers and dropout cases are likely to recur.
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