New College Entrance System Unveiled

A new system for admission into university was revealed on March 26 by university officials.
According to the new format, which will go into effect when students presently in their freshmen year in high school enter university, both national test scores and extra activities will be the principal criteria for entrance.
The new system will place more emphasis on diversity and well-rounded individuals rather than simply scholastic records.
The Korean College Education Association announced new admission guidelines for 177 colleges on March 26.
During the regular screening of applicants, 154 universities and colleges, including Yonsei and Korea universities, will still use the national entrance examinations as a mandatory and heavily-weighted element but they will take into account applicants personal records that include high-school teachers' evaluations.
However, Pohang Engineering and Aju University will not require applicants to submit their national test scores, and if they do it will just be one factor out of a range of criteria.
Seoul National University will abolish its mandatory essay requirement as well.
In addition, interviews will be conducted by 132 institutions in which individuals must first submit a letter of self-introduction that must include their interests and outside activities.
The Ministry of Education will be distributing detailed guidelines through its Internet home page(http://www.moe.go.kr) next month.
Hwashik Bong : trojans@joongang.co.kr