A local college admission fair, intended to provide accurate information to students and parents, faced significant operational issues, leaving many disappointed. Over 10,000 attendees braved extreme heat, only to find inadequate cooling at the venue, and many students left without receiving any counseling.
Additionally, some universities reported being forced to provide eight hours of continuous counseling, leading to discomfort among admissions staff. There were also complaints about discriminatory booth fees based on university recognition, prompting calls for reform.
Additionally, some universities reported being forced to provide eight hours of continuous counseling, leading to discomfort among admissions staff. There were also complaints about discriminatory booth fees based on university recognition, prompting calls for reform.
The education office stated, "We will humbly review the shortcomings in event management and actively reflect on them in future operations."
On July 11, a college admission information fair hosted by a local education office received a flood of complaints regarding its organization.
An official from a metropolitan university, speaking with Aju Economy, said, "Despite a heat warning, over 10,000 people attended, but the indoor cooling was non-existent, making it as hot as outside. Large fans were either not operational or ineffective, and when we complained, the organizers simply said, 'There's nothing we can do.'"
The official expressed frustration, stating, "The only refreshments provided to the university representatives were two bottles of water per booth, with no additional supplies available." In response, the education office claimed, "We activated all cooling facilities in the gymnasium and operated additional fans, but the high temperatures and large crowd caused the indoor temperature to rise above normal. We continued to deploy large fans in areas where university booths and students were struggling."
Regarding the water supply, the official explained, "We prepared enough water for each admissions officer and teacher, but we could not provide additional supplies due to varying needs."
The discomfort experienced by visitors and university representatives continued even after the event concluded. The pre-announced parking fee of 3,000 won was not managed properly, as attendees were required to pay individually at the exit toll booth.
The university official criticized the organizers, saying, "Instead of a pre-paid parking system, we had to pay at the exit, causing delays of 30 minutes to over an hour just to leave the parking lot."
The education office responded, "The traffic congestion at the exit around 5 p.m. was due to a large number of vehicles leaving simultaneously. We worked hard with university officials to facilitate a smoother exit, but it took considerable time, and we apologize for the inconvenience. We will strive to improve this in the future."
An official from a metropolitan university, speaking with Aju Economy, said, "Despite a heat warning, over 10,000 people attended, but the indoor cooling was non-existent, making it as hot as outside. Large fans were either not operational or ineffective, and when we complained, the organizers simply said, 'There's nothing we can do.'"
The official expressed frustration, stating, "The only refreshments provided to the university representatives were two bottles of water per booth, with no additional supplies available." In response, the education office claimed, "We activated all cooling facilities in the gymnasium and operated additional fans, but the high temperatures and large crowd caused the indoor temperature to rise above normal. We continued to deploy large fans in areas where university booths and students were struggling."
Regarding the water supply, the official explained, "We prepared enough water for each admissions officer and teacher, but we could not provide additional supplies due to varying needs."
The discomfort experienced by visitors and university representatives continued even after the event concluded. The pre-announced parking fee of 3,000 won was not managed properly, as attendees were required to pay individually at the exit toll booth.
The university official criticized the organizers, saying, "Instead of a pre-paid parking system, we had to pay at the exit, causing delays of 30 minutes to over an hour just to leave the parking lot."
The education office responded, "The traffic congestion at the exit around 5 p.m. was due to a large number of vehicles leaving simultaneously. We worked hard with university officials to facilitate a smoother exit, but it took considerable time, and we apologize for the inconvenience. We will strive to improve this in the future."
Lack of flexibility from the outsourced company harms students.
The core operation of the college fair, which is counseling, also revealed some shortcomings. Typically, college fairs allow universities to manage waiting times and counseling sessions flexibly. However, some education offices imposed rigid ticketing systems dictated by the outsourced company.
Another official from a metropolitan university noted, "The education office mandated that each counselor could only see 18 students, with 20 minutes allocated per session. By 10:30 a.m., all tickets were gone, leaving latecomers unable to receive any counseling."
The official added, "If no-shows were handled more flexibly or if walk-ins were accepted, we could have counseled many more students. Instead, the education office's adherence to the company's rigid system meant that complaints from parents fell squarely on the universities."
Even universities that finished counseling early were required to remain until the event's official end at 5 p.m., highlighting further operational inefficiencies.
Another official from a metropolitan university noted, "The education office mandated that each counselor could only see 18 students, with 20 minutes allocated per session. By 10:30 a.m., all tickets were gone, leaving latecomers unable to receive any counseling."
The official added, "If no-shows were handled more flexibly or if walk-ins were accepted, we could have counseled many more students. Instead, the education office's adherence to the company's rigid system meant that complaints from parents fell squarely on the universities."
Even universities that finished counseling early were required to remain until the event's official end at 5 p.m., highlighting further operational inefficiencies.
“Free for Seoul universities, fees for struggling local schools” highlights unfair booth fee practices.
The practice of charging different booth fees based on university recognition also needs to be addressed. An official from a metropolitan university remarked, "At some regional fairs, preferred universities from Seoul are offered free booths to encourage attendance, while local universities desperate for new students are charged fees. This discrimination is openly practiced."
The official recounted, "When we were asked to pay a booth fee after deciding to participate late, I said we wouldn’t attend if we had to pay. Only then did they change their tune and say we could come without paying." He criticized the event, stating, "A public event meant for education has turned into a blatant money-making scheme."
The college fair, which should alleviate students' and parents' anxieties by providing accurate information, has instead been marred by the incompetence of the organizers and the commercial interests of the outsourced company, leaving students and universities to bear the brunt of the fallout. Admissions officials from various universities emphasized that local education offices must undertake comprehensive reforms to restore the fair's integrity.
The education office stated, "We are committed to providing reliable college admission services to students and parents. We are working closely with admissions officers and lead teachers to offer accurate information and tailored counseling, and we will continue to actively incorporate feedback to improve the counseling environment and operational systems."
The official recounted, "When we were asked to pay a booth fee after deciding to participate late, I said we wouldn’t attend if we had to pay. Only then did they change their tune and say we could come without paying." He criticized the event, stating, "A public event meant for education has turned into a blatant money-making scheme."
The college fair, which should alleviate students' and parents' anxieties by providing accurate information, has instead been marred by the incompetence of the organizers and the commercial interests of the outsourced company, leaving students and universities to bear the brunt of the fallout. Admissions officials from various universities emphasized that local education offices must undertake comprehensive reforms to restore the fair's integrity.
The education office stated, "We are committed to providing reliable college admission services to students and parents. We are working closely with admissions officers and lead teachers to offer accurate information and tailored counseling, and we will continue to actively incorporate feedback to improve the counseling environment and operational systems."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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