Jongro Academy Projects Nearly 100,000 Half-Year Students in 2027 College Admissions
“Recent Increase in Half-Year Students Influenced by the Last Year of Current Admissions System”,
A citizen walks past a self-study exam prep academy in Daechi-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, on February 7 last year. 2025.2.7 ⓒ News1 Oh Dae-il,
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, “(Seoul=News1) Reporter Kim Jae-hyun = It is projected that the number of ‘half-year students,’ who take leave or drop out of their current universities to retake college entrance exams, will reach nearly 100,000 in the 2027 academic year, marking a historic high.”,
,
, “Jongro Academy unveiled this projection for the 2027 academic year on the 2nd, based on recent trends over the past five years and anticipated changes in the admissions system.”,
,
, “The number of half-year students is estimated by subtracting the number of applicants for the June mock test of repeaters from the number of applicants for the November College Scholastic Ability Test. Typically, these half-year students take a semester at university before taking a leave or dropping out to try again.”,
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, “The recent trend of increasing numbers supports the possibility of ‘100,000 half-year students.’ Specifically, there were △82,006 in the 2022 academic year △81,116 in 2023 △89,642 in 2024 △93,195 in 2025 △92,390 in 2026, with numbers exceeding 90,000 for two consecutive years, 2025 and 2026.”,
,
, “The number of students opting to drop out for another chance at university is also notable, especially among top students.”,
,
, “As of last year, 2,496 students from Seoul National University, Yonsei University, and Korea University dropped out, and among major universities in Seoul, the number reached 8,683. Dropouts from medical faculties also reached 1,004, the highest in history.”,
,
, “Changes in the admissions system also play a role, notably the change in the internal grading system. The 2027 admissions is the last to apply the 9-grade system. From the 2028 academic year, a 5-grade system will be implemented.”,
,
, “In the 9-grade system, a first grade includes the top 4% and a second grade the top 11%. In the 5-grade system, a first grade includes the top 10% and a second grade the top 34%.”,
,
, “With 1st and 2nd grades in the 9-grade system blending into the 1st grade of the 5-grade system, students could face disadvantages. Many half-year students may view this as their last opportunity, as their success in the admissions after 2028 is uncertain.”,
,
, “Im Seong-ho, the representative of Jongro Academy, stated, ‘Students in the top rank of internal grades among Seoul’s major universities and medical faculties are likely to attempt again through half-year studies in the 2027 admissions, where the current 9-grade system applies for the last time.'”,
,
, “The government’s decision to introduce a regional doctor system also affects this, with an increase of 490 in medical school admission quotas for the 2027 academic year compared to the past. In a previous increase of 1,500 in 2025, the number of applicants rose by about 17,000. Although regional doctors have obligations to serve in rural areas for 10 years, the current fervor for medical studies may contribute to an increase in half-year students.”,
,
, “In 2028, the College Scholastic Ability Test will also change. Elective subjects will be removed, and students from all tracks will take the same exam. Having experienced a difficult test last year, some students who reluctantly entered universities may attempt once more before these changes take place.”,
,
, “Im projected, ‘In the 2027 admissions, complex causes including changes in internal grades, increased medical school quota, alterations in the CSAT, and the difficulties faced last year could foster an environment conducive to an increase in half-year students. This may also result in numerous dropouts among current university students.’\n”