Higher medical school admissions quota increases competition for spots

Admissions to get into medical schools are expected to be fiercer than ever, despite the increased student quota. Koreans, regardless of their ages, are vying for these spots to become a doctor, one of the most coveted and high-paying jobs.

Students pass by a light pink colored banner advertising a cram school's preparatory program for medical school admissions in Daechi-dong, Gangnam District, in southern Seoul on May 17. [YONHAP]

Admissions to get into medical schools are expected to be fiercer than ever, despite the increased student quota.

As the country is set to add over 1,500 new slots to medical school admissions, many Koreans — regardless of their age — will be vying for these spots in the hope of becoming a doctor, one of the most coveted and high-paying jobs in the country.

Even office workers and parents are flocking to private cram schools, or hagwon, studying day and night for the state-run college entrance exam.

An anonymous educational consultant working in Daechi-dong in southern Seoul, a dense area with hundreds of cram schools, said adults who have been hesitant about retaking the college entrance exam will "throw their hats in the ring," as the recent appellate court ruling “guaranteed” the enrollment quota hike in medical schools.

Non-medical students attending the country’s most elite universities appear to be major contenders.

The enrollment expansion is likely to affect the admissions score threshold. Thus, the education sector speculates that many college students from Seoul National University, Yonsei University and Korea University, who previously had top scores during their high school years, may end up retaking the college entrance exam this year.

In a bid to increase their reputations, many cram schools are targeting college students from prestigious universities. If a cram school can show that many of its students were successful in the medical schools' admissions, it would mean a better reputation and more business.

Some have even promised monetary incentives to successful exam-takers.

Daesung Hagwon, one of the largest cram schools in the country, hosted an information session on Friday and opened preparatory classes for college students.

"I have received multiple inquiries from students attending the Seoul-based top universities, asking whether they could apply to medical schools through the admissions track [which incentivizes applicants educated in certain regions],” said Jeon Gwan-woo, a representative of Alchan Education Consulting.

The admissions track reserves places for students that studied in high schools in regional areas. For example, 30 percent of medical students in the first-year program at Kangwon National University are from high schools located in Gangwon.

Another private educational consultant said that several students studying medicine in suburban areas are attempting to transfer to other medical colleges near the greater Seoul area, which includes the capital, Gyeonggi and Incheon.

On the streets of Daechi-dong, various promotional banners advertise classes “open for fourth graders” or “for elementary and middle school students hoping to enter medical or dental schools."

Dozens of parents of elementary and middle school students attend an information session hosted by a cram school running a preparatory course for medical school admissions in Daechi-dong, southern Seoul. The photo is provided by the cram school named Next Doc. [NEXT DOC]

“I have been continuously receiving inquiries from parents of elementary school students since this year began,” said Jeon Il-kwon, head of privately run educational consulting firm Tomato School. He added that parents of younger children have “higher anticipation.”

One Daechi-based cram school running a medical school preparatory course for elementary and middle schoolers recently hosted an information session with 50 available seats. However, over 80 parents attended. And some parents listened to the session in the hallway, as the venue was fully packed.

The cram school currently has more than 100 students taking its classes.

Some families of young children with dreams of becoming a doctor are willing to relocate to other areas to increase the probability of their child getting into a medical school.

The country will tighten the eligibility criteria for the admissions track after three years. The candidates applying through this particular track will be required to complete their middle school education in the regions.

Another educational consultant, surnamed Choi, said that a number of parents were asking questions like, “Which region would have better chances of successful admissions?” or “When would be the best timing for relocation?”

Choi said one student moved to Busan after receiving a consultation.

Even white-collar workers with relatively high-paying salaries come to Daechi-dong after work on weekdays to take medical school preparatory classes.

MegaStudy, one of the largest privately run cram schools in the country, opened classes for such workers in March.

Nam Yoon-gon, who heads a MegaStudy's research institute, said many of the students are currently working at law firms or large corporations. He said that around 16 of the enrolled adult students are “consistent” in their attendance, adding they rarely miss class.

Students are motivated by the chance to earn a “lifetime license,” allowing them to practice medicine for the rest of their lives. This is evident, with many doctors continuing to practice medicine after the average retirement age in Korea. They are also less affected by instability in the job market.

“[Applicants] see that medical licenses will prove their expertise even when they get old,” Nam said, adding that becoming a doctor will help them afford a living in the later stages of their lives.

BY SEO JI-WON, LEE SOO-JUNG [lee.soojung1@joongang.co.kr]