Top-tier universities, particularly the prestigious ‘SKY’ schools, are showing signs of excitement over the news of increased medical school slots. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Feb. 8 (Korea Bizwire) – With the South Korean government’s decision to increase medical school seats by 2,000 starting from next year’s admissions, there has already been a flood of inquiries from working professionals and college students.
Top-tier universities, particularly the prestigious ‘SKY’ schools (Seoul National University, Korea University and Yonsei University), are showing signs of excitement over the news of increased medical school slots.
In a job market fraught with challenges, the significant expansion of medical school seats is expected to lead to a sharp rise in the number of students reapplying for medical school, especially among college students and young professionals.
According to the admissions industry insiders, inquiries related to medical school reapplication surged at tutoring centers immediately after the government announced on the previous day that the medical school admission quota will be increased by 2,000 seats to a total of 5,507 for the 2025 academic year.
Nam Yoon-gon, the head of education services company MegaStudy, shared, “I received inquiries from individuals who graduated from Seoul National University and even those who have recently secured a job, expressing their desire to reapply for medical school.”
He added, “A fourth-year elementary school teacher also inquired about reapplying while continuing to teach. Despite advising them about the slim chances due to the competitive nature of the relative grading system, many still see it as an opportunity.”
What is being dubbed as ‘medical school fever’ is evident as Seoul National University’s online communities are abuzz with posts related to the increase in medical school seats. One post argued, “Those who boldly entered the field at the inception of graduate medical schools or law schools have always succeeded. Being a doctor guarantees a license even in failure, incomparable to the life of an ordinary company employee. It seems like a good time to take on the challenge.”
The government’s recent decision to expand medical school quotas by 2,000 spots, the first increase in 27 years, is anticipated to significantly impact the college admissions landscape. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
Among the posts, one from a Seoul National University graduate from the 2000s, who graduated at least 15 years ago, was seeking advice on how to calculate their high school grades for reapplication.
A recent Seoul National University graduate mentioned, “I’m in my first year at a manufacturing conglomerate, but after much contemplation, I’ve signed up for online courses at a tutoring center today. I’m willing to give medical school a shot, whether it works out or not.”
A working professional in their mid-30s said, “Although I’m hesitant because I’m married and have a pre-tax annual salary of 150 million won, I’m considering applying for the regional quota for medical school.”
Jongno Academy predicts the number of medical school preparatory students will increase from about 9,500 in the 2024 academic year to approximately 15,800 next year, an increase of around 6,000 students.
Inquiries about “studying away from home” are flooding the tutoring centers, especially after the government announced plans to increase the regional quota for non-capital medical schools to around 60%.
The regional quota is reserved for students who have completed their entire high school education in the region and wish to apply to a medical school in that area. This quota typically has lower competition rates and admission thresholds compared to the national quota.
With the expansion of medical school seats by more than 2,000 next year, it’s estimated that the number of students selected through the regional quota will nearly double from the current 1,068 to 2,018.
Lim Seong-ho, the head of Jongno Academy, mentioned, “Since yesterday, we’ve received numerous calls from elementary school parents asking about moving to different regions. They’re considering it advantageous and are inquiring about specific data.”
The tutoring industry is buzzing with the possibility of a ‘medical school boom’, with companies holding admission seminars and contemplating increasing evening classes.
Considering this trend, Jongno Academy plans to introduce a ‘Special Medical School Class’ instead of the ‘Seoul National University Class’, which traditionally caters to top-tier students.
Other popular test prep academies in Seoul also reported that they would be increasing the number of medical school classes on offer in line with the expected surge in interest.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
