A case has emerged where 'youth outside school' who did not complete the regular curriculum in high school gained admission to Seoul National University through regular admission based on the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) scores instead of the traditional admission process. This is thanks to the 'Youth Record Book' supported by the government.
On the 12th, Yongsan District in Seoul announced that six youth outside school who participated in the Yongsan Youth Support Center (Yongsan Dream Center) program they operate have been accepted into the 2025 college entrance exam. Among them, a young man, Jo Jin-ho (20, pseudonym), entered Seoul National University through the 'Youth Record Book' admission process.
Typically, youth outside school, who may have dropped out of middle or high school or not attended, obtain college entrance qualifications through the equivalency exam and take the CSAT, with the scores primarily reflected in the traditional admission process. They do not have a school record and cannot apply for regular admission.
However, Jo wrote a 'Youth Record Book' with the support of the 'Yongsan Dream Center' and was accepted into Seoul National University through the regular admission process. It is said that his major is in the arts and physical education fields. This is the second time that someone has entered Seoul National University using this admission process through the Yongsan Dream Center.
The Korea Youth Counseling and Welfare Institute, a public agency under the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, has been providing tailored services such as academic return, equivalency exam preparation, and certification acquisition to youth outside school since 2007 through the youth support center 'Dream Center.' There are 222 Dream Center locations nationwide. As of November last year, 14,591 youth who passed through Dream Center have entered university.
'Dream Center' has introduced the 'Youth Record Book,' which can be submitted instead of school records to allow youth outside school to apply for regular admission processes at universities. The activities of youth outside school at Dream Center are recorded so that universities can utilize them when selecting students.
As of November last year, the universities that allowed the submission of the Youth Record Book instead of school records are Seoul National University, Seoul University of Science and Technology, University of Incheon, Chungnam National University, Jeonbuk National University, Hankyong National University, Andong National University, Gangneung-Wonju National University, among eight national institutions, and Dongsuh University, CHA University, Hallym University, Busan Catholic University, Dankook University, and Handong Global University among six private institutions.
Seoul National University does not have a separate admission process for 'youth outside school' who have passed the equivalency exam. Applicants from the equivalency exam submit their applications for regular admission just like other candidates and are evaluated based on their high school equivalency certificate and the Youth Record Book, which serves as an alternative document.
Jo said, "Thanks to the Dream Center, the Youth Record Book helped me greatly in my university admission process," and added, "I hope that youth outside school, like me, preparing for university admission through the equivalency exam will realize their dreams through the Dream Center."