After the Ministry of Education announced on the 13th its allocation plan for medical school seats for the 2027–2031 academic years, projections emerged that the admissions cutoff for medical schools in provincial regions could fall starting with next year's entrance cycle.
Im Sung-ho, head of Jongro Academy, said, "The number of current 12th graders at general high schools located in provincial areas for the 2027 academic year is 169,541, down 3.9% from the previous year," and noted, "By contrast, with the introduction of the regional physician track, medical school seats will increase by 490, which will lower the admissions cutoff."
By region, the number of 12th graders for the 2027 academic year fell the most in Gangwon (-6.5%). Next were Honam (-5.1%), Jeju (-4.8%), Busan-Ulsan-South Gyeongsang (-4.4%), Daegu-North Gyeongsang (-3.6%), and Chungcheong (-1.7%).
Due to the regional physician track for the 2027 academic year, the increases were as follows: ▲ Busan-Ulsan-South Gyeongsang (97) ▲ Daegu-North Gyeongsang, Daejeon-South Chungcheong (72) ▲ Gangwon (63) ▲ Gwangju (50).
However, if top-tier university students from provincial areas take a partial gap to reapply for medical schools, the cutoff may not fall significantly.
Im said, "From the 2027 academic year, provincial medical schools could see a higher share of successful repeat test-takers in both early and regular admissions," adding, "Even after admission, transfers between medical schools could increase."
He added, "With the expansion of medical school seats, the trend of students and parents shunning science and engineering in favor of medical schools is likely to intensify, especially in provincial areas."