Korea University will select 2,731 new students for its 2027 early admissions, an increase of 28 from the previous year. Of the total admissions, 2,325 will be through student record-based evaluations, accounting for 85.1% of early admissions. The breakdown includes 1,675 students through comprehensive student record evaluations (61.3%), 650 through academic record evaluations (23.8%), 351 through essay evaluations (12.8%), and 55 through performance-based evaluations (2.0%).
A significant change for the 2027 admissions is the restructuring of the opportunity balance and overseas Korean admissions (2%) from department-based to major-based selection. This change aims to broaden new students' exploration of majors and support flexible academic entry. Other key admission elements and their reflection ratios will remain consistent with the 2026 admissions system, enhancing predictability for applicants and reducing confusion for guidance counselors while ensuring continuity in the admissions process.
The student record-based evaluation, which constitutes the largest portion of early admissions, will be divided into academic record evaluations (school recommendation) and comprehensive student record evaluations.
The academic record evaluation combines 90% student record grades and 10% document assessment, applying minimum test score criteria to select final candidates. Continuing the trend from the 2026 admissions, which significantly increased the weight of student record grades, this structure favors applicants who have maintained excellent academic performance based on diligent school attendance. The 10% document assessment will comprehensively evaluate aspects such as course completion and community engagement that are not easily verified through quantitative grades.
The comprehensive student record evaluation will qualitatively assess applicants' academic capabilities, self-development motivation, and community engagement. All early admissions interviews at Korea University will be conducted in person, allowing for direct evaluation of applicants' academic potential and critical thinking skills.
Within the comprehensive student record evaluation, the specific criteria will clearly differentiate applicants' strategies based on the application of minimum test scores and the presence of interviews.
The academic excellence evaluation will select candidates based solely on 100% document assessment and minimum test score criteria, eliminating the burden of interview preparation. In this case, the competitiveness of the student record and the ability to meet test score standards will be key factors for admission.
The major suitability evaluation will not apply minimum test score criteria but will weigh in-depth oral interviews at 40%. In the first stage, candidates will be selected based on 100% document assessment, with five times the number of applicants proceeding to the second stage, where 60% of the first-stage score and 40% of the interview score will be combined. The interview will be based on provided materials and will last for seven minutes. For medical school applicants, a multiple mini-interview (MMI) will be conducted across various interview rooms to assess situational judgment and communication skills.
The comprehensive student record evaluation, which considers educational opportunity equality and major specificity, also has a staged selection system.
The equal opportunity, multicultural, and working professional evaluations will select candidates without minimum test score criteria, using 100% document assessment in the first stage (three times the number of applicants) and combining 60% of the first-stage score with 40% of the interview score (based on provided materials for six minutes) in the second stage.
The cyber defense evaluation will also not apply minimum test score criteria, using 100% document assessment in the first stage (five times the number of applicants) and combining 60% of the first-stage score, 20% of the interview score, and 20% from other evaluations (military interview, physical fitness test, etc.) to comprehensively assess suitability for specialized security fields.
The essay evaluation, which will select 351 students, will determine candidates based on essay exam scores and minimum test score criteria. Academic and extracurricular records will not be considered, with the core evaluation focusing on the accurate understanding of essay questions and logical problem-solving abilities within the high school curriculum. This approach aims to reduce reliance on private education and precisely assess logical thinking skills.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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