Kwangwoon University Announces 2026 Admissions Plan: Expanded Interviews, Essay Focus, and Strict School Violence Policy
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Seoul, south Korea – Kwangwoon University has unveiled its comprehensive admissions plan for the 2026 academic year, outlining significant changes designed to broaden access, emphasize student potential, and reinforce a commitment to a safe learning surroundings. The university will select a total of 1,172 students, excluding international applicants.
Key Changes in the 2026 Admissions Cycle
The 2026 admissions cycle marks a significant redesign of Kwangwoon University’s selection process, tailored to the specific goals of each admission track. A key feature is the elimination of minimum Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) score requirements across all special admissions categories. This move aims to provide greater opportunities for applicants whose strengths may not be fully reflected in standardized test scores.
Selection Breakdown
| Admission Track | Number of Students |
|---|---|
| Kwangwoon Chamber Talent I (Interview) | 262 |
| Kwangwoon Chamber Talent II (Document Review) | 225 |
| software Excellent Talent Screening | 82 |
| Graduates of Specialized High Schools | 2 |
| Student Paternity & Regional Balanced Screening | 203 |
| Excellent Essay Writing | 193 |
| Sports Specialty Screening (Soccer/Ice Hockey) | 16 (9 Soccer, 7 Ice Hockey) |
| Rural/Fishing Village Students | 38 |
| Graduation (Other) | 25 |
| Graduates of Specialized High Schools (Additional) | 120 |
| West Sea Region Students | 6 |
Emphasis on Interviews and Essay Writing
Kwangwoon University is significantly increasing the weight given to interviews and essay writing in several key admission tracks. The ‘Kwangwoon Charm Light Talent I (Interview Type)’ and ‘Software Excellent Talent Screening’ will prioritize applicants who demonstrate strong performance in the initial stage of evaluation,leading to a higher interview selection rate. The second phase of these admissions will now allocate 40% of the evaluation to interviews, up from 30% in previous years, ensuring a more holistic assessment of candidates.
Similarly, ‘Kwangwoon Charm Talent II (document type)’ will expand its recruitment efforts, with essay writing now accounting for 80% of the evaluation criteria – a substantial increase from the previous 70%. This shift underscores the university’s commitment to identifying students with exceptional writing and critical thinking skills.
Addressing School Violence: A Zero-Tolerance Approach
In a proactive move to foster a safe and respectful campus environment, Kwangwoon University will integrate school violence considerations into its entire admissions process. For comprehensive admissions, school violence records will be qualitatively assessed during document and interview evaluations. For other admission types, a tiered deduction system will be applied based on the severity of the offense.
The university has adopted a firm stance, stating that applicants with school violence measures falling under levels ‘8 (transfer)’ to ‘9 (expulsion)’ will be automatically disqualified from admission. This policy reflects a broader effort to prioritize student safety and well-being.
“We are committed to creating a learning environment free from harassment and violence,” stated a university spokesperson.
“This policy sends a clear message that such behavior will not be tolerated at Kwangwoon university.”
