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May 23, 2008
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| Korea’s top public university is taking one step closer to Ivy League schools in the United States. Seoul National University officials said yesterday that they will begin taking a more integrated approach to admissions. “We previously had to follow the admission requirements provided by the Korean government, but now it is time to bring autonomy to university admission systems,” said Kim Young-jung, the director of admissions at SNU. While before college entrance exam test scores and high school transcripts were enough to assure admission to SNU, the new approach will emphasize academic potential and student character, officials said. The officials said yesterday they will employ Cornell University associate provost for admissions Doris Davis to make the changes a reality. On Monday, SNU will sign a contract employing Davis. After the policy is introduced, officials said they anticipate complaints from high school students who score high on college entrance exams and get good grades but who are not admitted to SNU. “We guess that some high scorers will file a lawsuit when they fail to enter the university,” Kim said. “However, we will not take a step backward. “There were also several lawsuits against university admission policies in the United States. If we fail to follow global admission standards, we will not be able to pick good students.” Officials said that while Davis is in Korea, she will research existing recruitment, admissions and enrollment practices and develop policies and programs that support the university’s goal of attracting highly qualified students. Davis will submit a final report to SNU after finishing her work in July, officials said. Based on the report and advice, SNU will finalize and implement the new system, which they said will be adapted for Korea. “She is familiar with Asian universities because she was responsible for admissions and enrollment on campuses in Hong Kong and Singapore,” Kim said. “She will also visit several high schools to check actual conditions.” Davis, an academic veteran, has had admissions experience at UC Berkeley, Yale and Barnard in her 29- year career. “We deliberated extensively before recruiting Davis over the past two years,” Kim said. “The decision to recruit her means we will change our current admission system.” By Kang In-sik JoongAng Ilbo/ Park Sang-woo Staff Reporter [spark@joongang.co.kr] |
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