Student Corner Is Admissions Officer System Helpful for Students?

By Yun Jee Kang

On May 2007, the government announced a plan to support the admissions officer system. Starting with Seoul University in 2008, sixteen universities introduced the new scheme in 2009.

It has taken root in the United States only after trial and error, over one hundred years.

But it is new to Korea which has not made sufficient preparations and it seems to be expanding at too fast a pace.

The system is meant to break away from school scores. It is aimed to find students who have potential and talent. It will also promote the talented people that are needed in the 21st century. Not only academic records but also other achievements, such as volunteer work and internships will be weighed up. However, all of these should be related to the major that they wish to do.

As Korea University, Yonsei University and other major schools have adopted this system, it is drawing public attention.

Yet, it is hard to say that it has become a new trend in the entrance examination. The importance of the system is going to increase as time goes by, and more universities will pick more students who are qualified in the admissions officer system.

It has opened the doors for those who have future development potential and hidden talents, by not only grading the students on their scores.

It has been misinterpreted by students and their parents that to be accepted, they should build up specifications that are hard for other students to achieve, or that take a lot of time and effort even disturbing one's school life, so it is putting a lot of burden and anxiety on students and their parents.

Credibility and professionalism are required. Instead of students who have outstanding scores, students who are faithful in their school life and keep track of their path will be favored.

From a students' perspective, since there are more things to prepare, such as the College Scholastic Ability Test, academic reports and extracurricular activities, it is tough for students, especially as they do not have that much time available to them.

Adults do not always understand this. Our generation is learning by rote, but sudden change is not an easy thing to cope with. Access to information is also important. Success can depend on how efficient the information they have is. The students who are not well informed will have trouble preparing.

If the admissions officer system settles in a desirable way, it will help students to be free from the suppression of tests. However, it will take a long time.

To implement the system accurately, the government, local education authorities, teachers, students and parents need to put in a great effort.

I hope someday the new system will allow Korean students to spend time on one's school life more enjoyably and find one's hidden talents.