Although an increasing number of science students are opting for social studies, a trend known as 'social studies run,' the key to admission at major universities in Seoul remains firmly in the hands of science subjects. The impact of bonus points awarded to science test-takers means that those choosing social studies must achieve significantly higher scores to be competitive.
On July 22, the admissions information platform JinHakSa analyzed mock application data for the 2026 academic year from nine major universities in Seoul (excluding Seoul National University, which requires two science subjects). The universities included Kyung Hee University, Korea University, Sogang University, University of Seoul, Sungkyunkwan University, Yonsei University, Ewha Womans University, Chung-Ang University, and Hanyang University.
The analysis revealed that among 30,215 total mock applicants for the science programs at these nine universities, 71.1% took two science subjects, 18.5% took one social and one science subject, and 10.3% took two social subjects.
However, when narrowing the focus to the 11,165 students predicted to be in the 'admission range,' the results shifted. The proportion of students taking two science subjects increased to 78.2%, a rise of 7.1 percentage points from the mock applications, while those taking one social and one science subject dropped to 15.0%, and those taking two social subjects fell to 6.8%, each decreasing by 3.5 percentage points.
This trend of increasing reliance on science subjects among admitted students is largely attributed to the bonus points and high weight given to science scores in the admissions process.
Examining the scores of students predicted to be in the admission range, the average percentile for those taking two science subjects was 89.75, while those taking one social and one science subject averaged 92.63, and those taking two social subjects averaged 95.54, indicating a significant gap.
The average percentiles for Korean, math, and inquiry subjects also showed that students taking two science subjects (93.33) scored lower than those taking one social and one science subject (93.96) and those taking two social subjects (95.00). This suggests that social studies students must achieve much higher scores than their science counterparts to be competitive for the same admission range.
Admissions experts caution against choosing social studies solely to reduce academic burden. Yoo Won-cheol, director of JinHakSa's admissions strategy research center, stated, "While the option to take social studies has diversified application strategies, students aiming for top-tier universities in science fields still find that those taking science subjects dominate the admission range."
He added, "Choosing social studies can be a strategy to broaden application opportunities, but considering the bonus points and scoring systems for science subjects, students must secure higher scores to remain competitive. It is crucial to analyze the bonus points and scoring methods of target universities to develop a favorable application strategy."
On July 22, the admissions information platform JinHakSa analyzed mock application data for the 2026 academic year from nine major universities in Seoul (excluding Seoul National University, which requires two science subjects). The universities included Kyung Hee University, Korea University, Sogang University, University of Seoul, Sungkyunkwan University, Yonsei University, Ewha Womans University, Chung-Ang University, and Hanyang University.
The analysis revealed that among 30,215 total mock applicants for the science programs at these nine universities, 71.1% took two science subjects, 18.5% took one social and one science subject, and 10.3% took two social subjects.
However, when narrowing the focus to the 11,165 students predicted to be in the 'admission range,' the results shifted. The proportion of students taking two science subjects increased to 78.2%, a rise of 7.1 percentage points from the mock applications, while those taking one social and one science subject dropped to 15.0%, and those taking two social subjects fell to 6.8%, each decreasing by 3.5 percentage points.
This trend of increasing reliance on science subjects among admitted students is largely attributed to the bonus points and high weight given to science scores in the admissions process.
Examining the scores of students predicted to be in the admission range, the average percentile for those taking two science subjects was 89.75, while those taking one social and one science subject averaged 92.63, and those taking two social subjects averaged 95.54, indicating a significant gap.
The average percentiles for Korean, math, and inquiry subjects also showed that students taking two science subjects (93.33) scored lower than those taking one social and one science subject (93.96) and those taking two social subjects (95.00). This suggests that social studies students must achieve much higher scores than their science counterparts to be competitive for the same admission range.
Admissions experts caution against choosing social studies solely to reduce academic burden. Yoo Won-cheol, director of JinHakSa's admissions strategy research center, stated, "While the option to take social studies has diversified application strategies, students aiming for top-tier universities in science fields still find that those taking science subjects dominate the admission range."
He added, "Choosing social studies can be a strategy to broaden application opportunities, but considering the bonus points and scoring systems for science subjects, students must secure higher scores to remain competitive. It is crucial to analyze the bonus points and scoring methods of target universities to develop a favorable application strategy."
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.