The number of applicants who applied for the regular admissions at national science and technology institutes, including Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), has decreased by 28% compared to the previous year, interpreted as being due to a shift toward medical schools.
On the 7th, Jongno Academy reported that the number of regular admissions applicants for five specialized universities established by special law for the 2025 academic year totaled 5,125, down by 2,019 (28.3%) from the previous year. Four science and technology institutes reported a total of 60 openings with 4,844 applicants, resulting in an average acceptance rate of 80.73 to 1. While this is a relatively high level compared to other universities, last year it was 103.74 to 1.
The total number of applicants also decreased by 1,899 (28.2%) compared to the previous year. ▲ Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) 1,333 (88.87 to 1) ▲ Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) 1,293 (86.20 to 1) ▲ Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) 1,088 (72.53 to 1) ▲ Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST) 1,130 (75.33 to 1) in order. The Korea Institute of Energy Technology (KENTECH), also known as KEPCO Tech, received 281 applications for its regular admissions process, which selected 10, resulting in a rate of 28.1 to 1. The number of applicants decreased by 120 (29.9%) compared to the previous year.
While general four-year universities allow applicants to apply for regular admissions only once in each of the A, B, and C groups for a total of three times, specialized universities established by special law allow students to submit additional applications without limitation.
The background for the decrease in the number of applicants this year is interpreted as a result of an increase in medical school admissions attracting top-tier science and engineering candidates. Coincidentally, the number of regular admissions applicants for 39 medical schools nationwide rose to 10,519, an increase of 2,421 (29.9%), showing a contrast.
Lim Seong-ho, the representative of Jongno Academy, noted, “We interpret that the phenomenon of concentration on medical schools, among other factors, reflects a decline in the preference for top-tier science and engineering institutions,” and added, “An increase in the number of applicants who register for regular admissions and ultimately decide to forgo enrollment at these universities is also expected.”