The "medical school fever" continued in the 2026 academic year's regular admission supplementary recruitment, with average competition ratios exceeding 200-to-1 for medical programs.
According to Jongro Academy on January 27, the final average competition ratio for supplementary recruitment in medical schools, dental schools, Korean medicine schools, veterinary schools, and pharmacy schools reached 226.4-to-1. Twenty-two universities with unfilled seats from regular admissions recruited an additional 37 students, drawing 8,376 applicants.
The medical school craze has now surpassed the housing subscription frenzy, considering that the first-priority apartment subscription competition ratio in Seoul last year was 153.9-to-1.
By program, medical schools recorded the highest competition ratio at 416.3-to-1, followed by Korean medicine schools at 261.4-to-1, pharmacy schools at 212.9-to-1, dental schools at 137.3-to-1, and veterinary schools at 131.0-to-1.
Five universities conducted supplementary recruitment for medical schools: Kyungpook National University, Gyeongsang National University, Keimyung University, Chonnam National University, and Chungnam National University, with a total of 6 seats available. Keimyung University Medical School recorded the highest ratio at 655-to-1.
Korean medicine schools at three universities—Daejeon University, Sangji University, and Daegu Haany University—recruited 5 additional students. Daejeon University's Korean Medicine School posted the highest ratio at 535-to-1.
Nine universities recruited 14 pharmacy students: Chungbuk National University, Pusan National University, Gachon University, Daegu Catholic University, Chosun University, Duksung Women's University, Jeju National University, Mokpo National University, and Woosuk University. Chungbuk National University recorded the highest ratio at 637-to-1.
Dental schools at Chosun University and Pusan National University recruited 3 students, with Chosun University's pre-dentistry program recording the most competitive ratio at 404-to-1.
Veterinary schools at Konkuk University, Jeju National University, and Gyeongsang National University recruited 9 students. Konkuk University recorded the highest ratio at 210.3-to-1.
"The supplementary recruitment for medical programs confirmed that competition ratios remain very high across medical and pharmaceutical fields," said Lim Sung-ho, CEO of Jongro Academy. "In the 2027 academic year, the introduction of the regional doctor system will increase overall enrollment quotas, which could lead to more supplementary recruitment openings in medical programs due to chain movements of successful applicants from duplicate acceptances."