[Editorial] Creative Admission Policies

Recently, Korea University unveiled an entrance system that seems to have evaded the grip of government regulations. Yonsei University also announced a new enrollment policy that seems to be very similar to Korea University’s.

According to Yonsei, the new enrollment system will allow 50 percent of students to be judged only by their SAT scores. Also, some students volunteering for special applications will be screened by their high school GPAs and essays. Many other “niche admissions,” such as enrolling students with unique backgrounds (e.g., students attending foreign language or science high schools, independent private high schools, vocational high schools) and students with distinguished performances in literature, mathematics, science, and social contributions are included in the admissions policies as well.

The new policies are very creative concerning the “three-no policies.” The “three-no policies” ban the use of high school rankings to screen applicants, any testing of applicants in essay form, and admissions in return for donations.

The government announced new admission system guidelines two years ago, saying that the most important thing is to enhance public education and save the money spent on private education. It came up with an enrollment system increasing the importance of GPA scores and decreasing the proportion of SAT scores. However, it is difficult to rank high schools just by examining students’ GPAs. It is equally hard to single out the brightest students by the current 9-level SAT score system. It is not an exaggeration to say that the current administration focuses on equalization rather than fostering capable students through competition.

The constitution clearly protects the autonomy of the universities. However, the government has run counter to the constitution so far. President Roh harshly criticized Seoul National University (SNU) when it announced the “combined curriculum essay-type examination.” The administration is saying, “The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education is having a nationwide presentation about the new admissions system. This has never happened before.” Last year, Kim Shin-il, the Education Minister, demanded nine private universities present easy essay questions.

Last year, Korea University lessened the burden of Korean students by announcing that it will not require students to have both high SAT scores and GPAs. Sogang University and Sookmyung Women’s University followed suit. Sohn Byong-du, the President of Sogang University and the chairman of the Association of Private Universities, said, “Universities should be able to breed the brightest students in the nation in order for Korea to maintain a competitive edge in the international community.” He also said that he will make a suggestion to the presidential candidates of abolishing the so-called "three-no’s policy," Last month, the OECD also advised Korea to scrap the idea.

The competitiveness of universities can be gained only when the government supports them but does not interfere with them. Therefore, the admissions policies made by the government should be amended. It will be better if the government allows universities to have the autonomy of selecting students and also take the responsibility of regaining competitiveness.