As the early application period approaches in just over a month, students and parents are grappling with their strategies. Many students are exploring past admission results to effectively utilize their six application slots, but relying solely on the 'average grades of admitted students' published by universities can lead to poor decisions. Admission experts advise against being misled by simple figures and recommend a comprehensive analysis of at least 2-3 years of admission data, including conversion scores and acceptance rates.
Etoos Education Evaluation Institute released key points and data usage methods that students should check when analyzing admission results on August 8. Kim Byung-jin, head of the institute, stated, "When referencing admission results, do not only look at last year's data; it is essential to review at least 2-3 years of admission data comprehensively. Details such as the number of recruits, eligibility criteria, the ratio of evaluation elements, and minimum score requirements change annually, so multi-year data should serve as a benchmark. For newly established programs, it is advisable to refer to admission results from similar majors at the same university or other universities."
Etoos Education Evaluation Institute released key points and data usage methods that students should check when analyzing admission results on August 8. Kim Byung-jin, head of the institute, stated, "When referencing admission results, do not only look at last year's data; it is essential to review at least 2-3 years of admission data comprehensively. Details such as the number of recruits, eligibility criteria, the ratio of evaluation elements, and minimum score requirements change annually, so multi-year data should serve as a benchmark. For newly established programs, it is advisable to refer to admission results from similar majors at the same university or other universities."
Average Grades ≠ University-Specific Conversion Scores: Key Indicators for Admission
One common mistake students make when reviewing admission results is treating the 70% cutoff or average grades of final registrants published by universities as absolute criteria for acceptance.
However, actual admissions decisions are based on 'university-specific conversion scores' rather than simple average grades. Each university has different weightings for subjects, year levels, and how elective subjects are factored in. Consequently, two students with the same 2.1 grade point average may have significantly different outcomes based on how A University and B University calculate their conversion scores.
Instead of gauging acceptance chances solely by average grades, students must compare and analyze their own conversion scores according to the formulas used by their target universities.
However, actual admissions decisions are based on 'university-specific conversion scores' rather than simple average grades. Each university has different weightings for subjects, year levels, and how elective subjects are factored in. Consequently, two students with the same 2.1 grade point average may have significantly different outcomes based on how A University and B University calculate their conversion scores.
Instead of gauging acceptance chances solely by average grades, students must compare and analyze their own conversion scores according to the formulas used by their target universities.
Holistic Admissions Require Qualitative Evaluation: Check for Changes in Criteria
For holistic admissions, students should interpret admission results more conservatively. Holistic admissions evaluate not only academic grades but also attendance, detailed abilities and special skills, and extracurricular activities qualitatively in terms of academic, career, and community competencies.
There are numerous cases where students with slightly lower grades are accepted due to strengths shown in their documents or interviews. Therefore, rather than fixating on the numerical academic scores indicated in admission results, students should examine the evaluation criteria and the weight of documents and interviews for each university.
Additionally, changes in admission criteria and differences in how universities present their results are crucial factors not to overlook. Variations in the number of recruits, the introduction of interviews, and the relaxation or elimination of minimum score requirements directly and indirectly affect competition and acceptance thresholds.
Moreover, the criteria for presenting admission results may differ among universities, whether they are based on 'final admitted students (initial + additional)' or 'final registrants,' or whether they use 'average grades' or '70% cutoffs.' It is essential to clearly distinguish these when developing a strategy for early applications.
There are numerous cases where students with slightly lower grades are accepted due to strengths shown in their documents or interviews. Therefore, rather than fixating on the numerical academic scores indicated in admission results, students should examine the evaluation criteria and the weight of documents and interviews for each university.
Additionally, changes in admission criteria and differences in how universities present their results are crucial factors not to overlook. Variations in the number of recruits, the introduction of interviews, and the relaxation or elimination of minimum score requirements directly and indirectly affect competition and acceptance thresholds.
Moreover, the criteria for presenting admission results may differ among universities, whether they are based on 'final admitted students (initial + additional)' or 'final registrants,' or whether they use 'average grades' or '70% cutoffs.' It is essential to clearly distinguish these when developing a strategy for early applications.
'Hidden Key to Application Strategy': Combining Acceptance Rates and Minimum Scores
A hidden indicator that creates significant variables in early application strategies is the 'acceptance rate (additional admission rate).' Acceptance rate indicates how many additional admissions were made compared to the number of recruits, and a higher acceptance rate increases the actual number of admitted students, broadening the spectrum of acceptable academic scores.
The impact is even greater when acceptance rates are combined with the rate of meeting minimum score requirements. For instance, in the case of Sogang University's regional balance admission for chemistry, there were 46 applicants for 5 spots, but with 37 meeting the minimum score requirement, the acceptance rate reached 640% (32 additional admissions), resulting in a total of 37 admitted students matching the number of those who met the minimum score requirement, effectively lowering the competition ratio to 1:1.
Kim Byung-jin noted, "While the student record-based admissions often have high acceptance rates due to multiple acceptances, holistic admissions or essay-based admissions tend to have relatively lower acceptance rates due to differences in evaluation criteria among universities. Therefore, it is crucial to closely examine the trends in acceptance rates for the desired programs over the past 2-3 years to strategically combine high, confident, and stable applications."
The impact is even greater when acceptance rates are combined with the rate of meeting minimum score requirements. For instance, in the case of Sogang University's regional balance admission for chemistry, there were 46 applicants for 5 spots, but with 37 meeting the minimum score requirement, the acceptance rate reached 640% (32 additional admissions), resulting in a total of 37 admitted students matching the number of those who met the minimum score requirement, effectively lowering the competition ratio to 1:1.
Kim Byung-jin noted, "While the student record-based admissions often have high acceptance rates due to multiple acceptances, holistic admissions or essay-based admissions tend to have relatively lower acceptance rates due to differences in evaluation criteria among universities. Therefore, it is crucial to closely examine the trends in acceptance rates for the desired programs over the past 2-3 years to strategically combine high, confident, and stable applications."
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.