[Edaily Reporter KIM EUNG-YEOL ] Amid the ongoing semiconductor boom, the average competition ratio for semiconductor contract programs at Yonsei University and Korea University in the 2027 academic year’s early admissions round has risen compared to the previous year. In contrast, medical schools at Seoul National University, Yonsei University, and Korea University saw a simultaneous decline in applicants, resulting in lower competition ratios compared to the previous year.

According to Jongno Academy on the 10th, the average competition ratio for the 2027 academic year’s early admission round for Yonsei University’s Department of Systems Semiconductor Engineering—a contract program at SamsungElectronics(005930) —and Korea University’s Department of Semiconductor Engineering—a contract program at SK hynix(000660) —was recorded at 11.87 to 1. A total of 1,223 applicants applied for 103 available spots. While the number of available spots remained the same as the previous year, the number of applicants increased by 60 (5.2%) compared to the 1,163 applicants the previous year. Consequently, the average competition ratio for the 2027 academic year rose slightly compared to the previous year (11.29 to 1).

In particular, the increase in applicants to Korea University’s Department of Semiconductor Engineering was notable. For the 2027 academic year’s early admission round, 408 applicants vied for 28 spots in this department, resulting in a competition ratio of 14.57 to 1. Although the number of available spots remained the same as the previous year, the number of applicants increased by 71 (21.1%) from the previous year’s 337. Notably, both the number of applicants and the competition ratio reached their highest levels since the department was established in the 2021 academic year.

Yonsei University’s Department of System Semiconductor Engineering recruited 75 students for the 2027 academic year’s early admission round, with 815 applicants. The competition ratio was 10.87 to 1. Although the number of available spots remained the same as the previous year, the number of applicants decreased by 11 (1.3%) from the previous year’s 826, resulting in a competition ratio slightly lower than the previous year’s 11.01 to 1.

In contrast, the medical schools at Seoul National University, Yonsei University, and Korea University saw a decline in their average competition ratios for the 2027 academic year’s early admission round. A total of 2,903 applicants applied for 226 spots across the three medical schools, resulting in an average competition ratio of 12.85 to 1. In the previous year, 3,271 applicants applied for 226 spots; however, for the 2027 academic year, the number of applicants decreased by 368 (11.3%) compared to the previous year, and consequently, the competition ratio also fell from the previous year’s 14.47 to 1.

Seoul National University, Yonsei University, and Korea University all saw a simultaneous decline in applicants. Applications to Seoul National University’s medical school fell by 100 (9.5%) from 1,048 in the 2026 academic year to 948 in the 2027 academic year. During the same period, the competition ratio dropped from 10.92 to 1 to 9.88 to 1. At Yonsei University’s medical school, the number of applicants decreased by 85 (12.4%), from 684 in the 2026 academic year to 599 in the 2027 academic year, and the competition ratio fell from 10.86 to 1 to 9.51 to 1. During the same period, the number of applicants to Korea University’s College of Medicine fell by 183 (11.9%) from 1,539 to 1,356. The competition ratio dropped from 22.97 to 1 to 20.24 to 1.

Unlike the semiconductor contract programs, the simultaneous decline in applicants to the medical schools at Seoul National University, Yonsei University, and Korea University is interpreted as top-tier science students opting for safer choices rather than applying to their first-choice schools.

Not only are there many “repeat test-takers” for the 2027 college admissions cycle, but since this marks the final year of the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) in its current format, many students are looking to wrap up their college admissions process this year. Additionally, analysts suggest that the introduction of the “Regional Doctor Selection” track starting with this admissions cycle has分散ed applications to medical schools among top-tier science students.

Lim Seong-ho, CEO of Jongno Academy, stated, “While the popularity of contract programs in semiconductor engineering at top-tier universities has risen, applications to medical schools have decreased,” adding, “Many students opted for safe choices rather than reaching for higher-ranked schools, and the introduction of the Regional Physician Selection Program has also contributed to the dispersion of student applications.”