2016 college admissions remodeled
The Korean Council for University Education (KCUE) on Monday announced a set of modified admissions guidelines for students who enter college in 2016.One of the primary changes is the advantages afforded to students living in rural areas. Previously, students who lived in rural areas for more than three years were admitted to universities in line with a predetermined entrance quota.
That requirement has been raised to six years for those who go on to college in 2016. The decision was made as a response to the results of a special inspection in January 2012 by the Board of Audit and Inspection that uncovered hundreds of exaggerated submissions.
Another focus for the KCUE will be the implementation of a more transparent application process for college athletes, which has long been plagued by corruption and bribery.
In its announcement, the council recommended physical evaluations for potential athletic candidates to be held jointly among different universities to ensure objectivity and fairness. Universities were advised to set up a judging panel comprised of at least three people, with one-third or more being professors from other universities.
The KCUE also advised athletic departments to take a closer look at applicants’ high school transcripts and minimize the interview portion.
Overall guidelines did not change, and Monday’s announcement did not veer too far from major admissions trends, with universities still currently focusing on high school reports and the essay test in early admissions, and on the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) in regular admissions.
The council did, however, discourage giving essay tests as well as aptitude tests or oral interviews for early admissions. “To lessen the strain on students, we are encouraging universities to select new students based more on high school transcripts,” a KCUE official said.
Accordingly, relevant parties expect universities will increase the number of students admitted based on high school activities recorded in their transcripts in early admissions - or even decrease the number of early admissions and select more applicants during regular admissions.
“Because the minimum requirements of the CSAT are easing up and universities are being asked to focus on school reports, it is more likely that some universities will try to accept more students from regular admissions,” said Lim Seong-ho, president of Haneul Education.
BY KIM SUNG-TAK [bongmoon@joongang.co.kr]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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