2028 Admissions: South Korea's SKY Universities Prioritize Student Records Over CSAT

The landscape of university admissions in South Korea is undergoing a significant transformation, with the nation's most prestigious institutions—Seoul National University (SNU), Korea University, and Yonsei University (collectively known as SKY)—poised to drastically reduce their reliance on the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) for early admissions starting in the 2028 academic year. This strategic pivot, analyzed by Jongro Hagwon, indicates a major shift in how top-tier universities will select their students.

For the upcoming 2028 academic year, a substantial 57.8% of SKY universities' early admissions will not require a minimum CSAT score, a marked increase from the 40.1% in 2027. Notably, SNU will eliminate the CSAT minimum score requirement entirely for all its early admissions, including both general and regional balanced selections. Korea University is also set to more than double its proportion of early admissions without a CSAT minimum, while Yonsei University will see a slight decrease. This trend underscores a critical point for prospective students: excelling in high school and meticulously managing one's academic records, or 'student file,' is becoming paramount for gaining admission to top universities.

“

For the 2028 academic year, students preparing for top-tier university admissions must prioritize managing their student files.

The emphasis on student files extends beyond early admissions. Even in the regular decision track, the weight of high school records in the admissions process remains considerable. While the overall percentage of regular admissions considering student files has slightly decreased, the fact that SNU and Yonsei University employ qualitative assessments, and Korea University uses quantitative evaluations, means that strong CSAT scores alone may not guarantee admission. This evolving admissions environment presents a unique challenge for students, requiring a more holistic approach to academic preparation. From a South Korean perspective, this shift reflects a broader educational debate about the best methods for assessing student potential, moving beyond a single high-stakes exam to a more comprehensive evaluation of a student's academic journey.

“

Even with good internal grades, admission predictions can be difficult because qualitative assessments of student files are often reflected.