Have you read the book “College Admission Systems: A Status System or an Educational System?” by former Minister of Education Nam-Soo Seo and Professor Sang-Hoon Bae of Sungkyunkwan University, published in 2022? This masterpiece is a must-read for anyone involved in or affected by South Korea’s college admission system. It delves into the history and evolution of the college admission system, theoretical and value-based issues, major components of the admission process, and policy design processes related to the curriculum.
It even includes intriguing anecdotes such as efforts to halt flights on the day of the national college entrance exam. Following the struggles and efforts of elite government officers to contribute to the improvement of South Korea’s education system, readers are deeply impressed by their practical knowledge, skills, political sense, agility, and academic depth and breadth.
Misguided Reforms and the “Apology”
About a third into the over 300-page book, a line stands out: “I’m sorry. Truly sorry.” The author expresses regret for the twists and turns experienced since “the integrated humanities and science college entrance examination system” was first announced in 2013, lamenting that it failed to achieve its original goals. The author’s sincere reflection as a dedicated educator and senior administrator offers significant resonance for readers.
The line, “I struggled with the college admission system for over 30 years,” from the preface also resonates with the author's mid-book apology, suggesting that such expressions of regret might better belong at the end of the book. The comprehensive assessment of the past few years indicates that the integration of humanities and science in the college entrance exam has not yielded positive outcomes. Terms like “invasion to humanities” or “massacre of civilians,” now commonly used, capture the frustrations of students and parents towards the distorted admission system.
The adverse effects of the flawed system are further highlighted in a 2023 paper by An Yun-Jung and Byun Kiyong. Students strategically selected advantageous subjects and standardized score conversion criteria to gain admission to better schools, often facing difficulties in the early stages of their undergraduate studies and experiencing challenges in planning their careers post-admission. This often led to a significant number of students changing their majors, resulting in many unsuccessful cases.
Ongoing Changes and Challenges
With the announcement of the 2028 college admission system reform plan by the Ministry of Education in 2023, the college entrance exam has been modified once again, marking the start of another uncertain experiment. The confusion surrounding the college admission system, deeply entwined with South Korea’s unique educational fervor and strong educational demands, continues to push many students out of the traditional education framework. I term this phenomenon the “centrifugal force of Korea’s national admission policy.”
The trend of students dropping out of regular high school courses to enroll directly in private education, highlighted in recent documentaries aired on one of the national broadcasting systems, exemplifies this issue. The number of students entering higher education through the Korean General Educational Development test, which is a typical breakthrough for South Koreans to bypass formal school education, is steadily increasing, reflecting the growing distrust and skepticism towards it.
The uncertainty of the college admission system, particularly following the government’s recent announcement to increase medical school quotas and the ensuing serious conflict with the medical community, has left significant marks on front-liners, such as college counselors and private consultants, and the broader education market. The recent push by the government to enforce a “no-major admission system” across universities has further exacerbated confusion.
Second Choice Phenomenon
Amid this complex scenario, many students and parents find themselves turning to institutions like the Incheon Global Campus, where I work, in search of alternatives to the flawed domestic college admission system. This campus houses several international universities, including four from the United States and one from Belgium, with more than half of the 4,000 students being Korean. Working at the Incheon Global Campus has allowed me to witness firsthand the frustrations and doubts that students and parents harbor towards the South Korean college admission system. The choice of many to attend American universities in Korea often stems from a sense of disillusionment with the domestic system, making these institutions a “second choice.”
When I present this perspective informally, I often encounter harsh criticisms and dismissive attitudes, viewing Korean students at the Incheon Global Campus as those who couldn’t succeed in the domestic competition. However, dismissing these students as “failures” is neither fair nor accurate. The broken college admission system in South Korea has forced many talented students to seek alternatives, and American universities in Korea have become a viable option for them.
Moving Forward
Reflecting on my experiences at the Incheon Global Campus, I realize that while I have achieved success in student recruitment, the broader systemic issues of the South Korean education system persist. The rigid and centralized college admission system continues to push students out, with international universities ready to seize these opportunities.
The arrival of advanced digitally equipped universities and the powerful strategies of major international education and recruitment companies highlight the need for reform in South Korea. The introduction of programs like the “OO Pathway” by a top-tier domestic university and one of the largest private education companies underscores the ongoing search for alternatives to the flawed admission system.
The growing demand for overseas medical and pharmaceutical studies, driven by the competitive domestic education environment, further illustrates the need for change. As we navigate this complex landscape, the words of a senior official from an American university at the Incheon Global Campus resonate with me: “At the end of the day, it is a matter of whose paradigm is going to win.”
Conclusion
As we reflect on the evolving dynamics of global higher education, it is crucial to critically assess whether the centralized college admission system in South Korea serves the best interests of students, not providers. By embracing a more decentralized approach that empowers universities to design their admission processes with much greater liberty, I believe we can foster a more inclusive and innovative educational environment that better prepares students for the global stage.
*This is an English translation of the opinion published in the newsletter of the Korean Educational Administration Society in July 2024. For the original article, please access http://naver.me/5yPLAKew.
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