KAIST to Accept 150 Students Based on Principal’s Recommendations
The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) has announced a new admissions policy under which it will admit 150 students, based on the recommendations of their high school principals. The purpose of this new policy is to diversify admissions. Over 80 percent of students admitted to the school this year graduated from elite institutions, mostly science high schools. Only 20 percent came from regular high schools. The 150 additional openings next year will be allotted to only those attending ordinary high schools. Ten percent of the 150 openings will be assigned to students from rural areas and another 10 percent will go to students from low-income households. Suh, Nam-pyo, the President of KAIST, said that “On the premise that there are smart students in provincial areas, we are going to select 150 students recommended by high school principals. One high school wasn’t able to send even a single student to Kaist for the last 10 years. I’m sure there are talented students in that school. If we give the school a chance, the education system will be upgraded.”