The 2026 early admission GPA cutoff for the semiconductor contract departments at Yonsei University and Korea University hit a record high. As more applicants hope to join Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, the contract departments appear to have grown in popularity.
According to Jongro Academy on the 26th, the average 2026 early admission cutoff for Yonsei University's system semiconductor engineering department is 1.47 grade. That is a sharp rise from 3.1 in 2021. The average early admission cutoff for Korea University's semiconductor engineering department is also 2.68 grade. In particular, the Academic Excellence track cutoff climbed from 2.4 in 2021 to 1.47 in 2026, marking a record high.
Korea University also disclosed regular admission scores, with the 2026 regular cutoff for the semiconductor engineering department at 96.67 in Korean, math, and inquiry. That is up from 95.33 last year.
Yonsei University's system semiconductor engineering department and Korea University's semiconductor engineering department have each signed contracts with Samsung Electronics and SK hynix. Boosted by the semiconductor supercycle, preference for the two corporations has risen, and applications appear to have increased among top-tier students in the admissions market.
In addition to Yonsei University, Samsung Electronics has contract departments at Sungkyunkwan University, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Pohang University of Science and Technology, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), and Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST). SK hynix operates contract departments with Korea University as well as Sogang University and Hanyang University.