The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) announced that the number of applicants for the undergraduate program in 2025 reached 10,041, an increase of 61% compared to three years ago. This is the first year that the number of applicants for the KAIST undergraduate program has exceeded 10,000.
KAIST held the 2025 undergraduate program entrance ceremony at its main auditorium in Daejeon on the morning of the 19th. This year, a total of 799 students were selected through various admissions processes, including the creative challenge track, general track, principal recommendation track, equal opportunity track, special talent track, excellent CSAT track, and international track. The number of undergraduate applicants increased by 61% compared to three years ago, reaching 10,041.
The speech on behalf of the new students was delivered by student Baek Seo-yoon. Baek graduated from Minjok Leadership Academy and entered KAIST. Baek developed a communication aid for the visually impaired and demonstrated it at Gangwon Myongjin School, a special needs school.
Baek said, “I realized that a true scientist is not someone who solves predetermined problems, but someone who poses questions that no one else has asked. KAIST is a place where I can explore such questions. I will continue to challenge myself.”
President Lee Kwang-hyung noted, “I am very pleased that more applicants are applying to KAIST, where we can truly nurture creative and original talents. KAIST is a place that supports and embraces all students’ challenges and failures.”