{"id":2207141,"date":"2024-11-14T18:35:44","date_gmt":"2024-11-14T09:35:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/?p=2207141"},"modified":"2024-11-14T18:42:01","modified_gmt":"2024-11-14T09:42:01","slug":"science-vs-humanities-why-south-korean-students-switch-their-academic-tracks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/11\/science-vs-humanities-why-south-korean-students-switch-their-academic-tracks\/","title":{"rendered":"Science vs. Humanities: Why South Korean students switch their academic tracks"},"content":{"rendered":"

High school students gathered in classrooms across South Korea on Thursday to take the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT), or Suneung, the nation\u2019s high-stakes college entrance exam that can have a life-defining impact on young people.<\/span><\/p>\n

The exam has long been central to the ROK education system, and it has frequently been the target of criticism as to whether it nurtures the skills that the South Korean economy needs to flourish.<\/span><\/p>\n

But while government reforms in 2022 sought to nurture a more interdisciplinary curriculum, <\/span>emerging trends<\/span><\/a> suggest that it has created new testing incentives that have only further reified divisions between science and the humanities, with negative consequences for the country.<\/span><\/p>\n

In particular, the changes have driven an increase in the number of students who opt for a science track in high school, as doing so gives them a better shot at getting a good CSAT score.<\/span><\/p>\n

Yet more of these science-track students are then seeking a competitive edge by using those exam scores to apply to humanities programs, preferring to attend prestigious universities to study humanities than to settle for studying science at lower-ranked schools.<\/span><\/p>\n

Such trends risk creating long-term imbalances in South Korea\u2019s workforce, as the education system struggles to generate enough graduates in fields like science and engineering while producing a glut of applicants for medical schools.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"

A student sits a mock ‘Suneung’ CSAT exam in 2019 | Image: Project Wigi via Flickr (PDM 1.0<\/a>)<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

SHIFTING ACADEMIC PRIORITIES<\/b><\/p>\n

South Korea\u2019s university admissions process is one of the most competitive in the world, and the CSAT is its defining hurdle.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

During high school, students have to choose between following a science track that is math-heavy or a humanities track that is not.<\/span><\/p>\n

Faced with immense pressure to enroll in top universities, students have begun to select academic tracks in high school based on admission trends rather than personal interest to maximize their college admissions chances.<\/span><\/p>\n

Traditionally, science-track high school students follow advanced courses in mathematics and science, while humanities-track students focus on social studies. However, the problem is that an increasing number of students are choosing the science track, even if they intend to major in humanities fields later in college.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lim Seong-ho, CEO of the Jongro Academy preparatory school, told <\/span>Korea Pro<\/span><\/i> that science-track students have an advantage in the admissions process due to the rigorous math and science curriculum, which is perceived as academically superior. Consequently, universities often give priority to science-track applicants, even if they choose not to pursue those studies after being admitted.<\/span><\/p>\n

This trend could eventually lead to a shortage of professionals in other critical fields.<\/span><\/p>\n

BALANCING CAREER FLEXIBILITY<\/b><\/p>\n

This strategy students increasingly use reflects broader shifts in South Korea\u2019s job market, where interdisciplinary skills and adaptability are increasingly valued.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCompanies are looking for employees who can adapt and work across fields, so students are hedging their bets,\u201d Kim Byung-jin, Director at Etoos Educational Assessment Research Institute, said. \u201cStudents with a science-track background in the humanities are perceived as versatile and better prepared for a job market that is increasingly unpredictable.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

For students like 23-year-old Park Je-hoon, selecting the science track has allowed him to enter humanities-oriented majors while leveraging his science background.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Park, now studying railway management at Woosong University, told <\/span>Korea Pro<\/span><\/i> that cross-track applicants often score higher, adding that the science track provided an easier path to prestigious humanities programs than if he had chosen a humanities track from the outset.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUniversity reputation is highly emphasized in Korea,\u201d Park said. \u201cSo, many students eventually choose to major in humanities subjects because they think it\u2019s better to major in such subjects in a prestigious university than it would be to major in a science subject in a less-regarded school.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This calculated approach reflects a growing sentiment among students to prioritize institutional prestige over subject-specific interests.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"

The main gate of Seoul National University | Image: Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a>)<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

IMPACT OF INTEGRATED CSAT<\/b><\/p>\n

This academic strategy can also be linked to changes in the CSAT format. In 2022, the exam <\/span>integrated science and humanities grading<\/span><\/a>, removing distinctions between tracks and allowing all students to be graded collectively. This means that math scores for all students are now evaluated together, rather than separately by track, allowing those who choose calculus and geometry to achieve higher standardized scores.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to Kim, nearly 80% of high-performing students in general mathematics now choose calculus and geometry over probability and statistics, seeing these subjects as more favorable for higher grades. This shift in course selection has expanded academic track options, allowing science-track students greater flexibility in moving into humanities fields.<\/span><\/p>\n

The demand for top-tier medical programs has also intensified, as high-achieving students who might have previously pursued fields like law increasingly gravitate toward medicine. Since South Korea\u2019s top universities shifted law programs to Masters-level courses, undergraduates aiming for elite institutions like SNU and Yonsei now concentrate on medicine, according to Kim.<\/span><\/p>\n

As a result, Lim of Jongro University also noted that competition within the science track, especially the medical scene, has intensified, while other courses such as engineering receive less attention from prospective students.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWith the intense focus on medical fields, a ripple effect has emerged. This trend marks a shift from past years when science and engineering were among the highest-ranked programs in South Korean universities. Now, the top 20 university programs are dominated by medical fields,\u201d Lim said.<\/span><\/p>\n

GENDERED EDUCATION NORMS<\/b><\/p>\n

The science-to-humanities pipeline also mirrors deeper social structures, with traditional gender norms and societal expectations influencing educational paths.<\/span><\/p>\n

College student Park noted that humanities tracks remain the preferred choice at all-girls high schools, while science tracks dominate at boys\u2019 schools. This divide reflects entrenched beliefs that view science as a male-oriented field and humanities as more suitable for women.<\/span><\/p>\n

Parents and schools often encourage these choices, reinforcing societal expectations rather than students\u2019 individual interests. Although recent curricular changes have increased flexibility in academic tracks, social pressures continue to shape decisions.<\/span><\/p>\n

For students, this creates an environment where academic choices are heavily influenced by gendered expectations, further limiting students\u2019 ability to pursue fields that align with their true interests.<\/span><\/p>\n

Jeong Sumin, a former graduate student, told <\/span>Korea Pro<\/span><\/i> that the trend toward pursuing science-track subjects in high school only to shift to humanities subjects later in college is driven partly by financial and job stability concerns.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTop-performing students were once interested in chemistry or physics,\u201d Jeong said, \u201cbut since the mid-2000s, there has been a significant shift toward medical schools due to the financial stability and social prestige of these careers.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This pragmatic approach is now ingrained in South Korea\u2019s education system, where students prioritize job security over personal passions.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"

ROK education minister Lee Ju-ho inspects preparations for the 2025 Suneung exam at Asan Yi Sun-sin High School on Nov. 11 | Image: ROK Education Minister’s Office<\/a><\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

LONG-TERM IMPACT ON WORKFORCE<\/b><\/p>\n

If this trend continues, South Korea could face a long-term talent imbalance. With high-performing students increasingly turning away from specialized academic courses like engineering and technology and instead shifting toward medicine or other humanities subjects, experts warn of a potential shortage in the nation\u2019s critical industries.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lim of Jongro Academy expressed concerns about the humanities \u201cfalling behind science disciplines in terms of policy and institutional support,\u201d emphasizing the need for policies that balance student interests with South Korea\u2019s workforce needs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Kim of Etoos Educational Assessment Research Institute noted that the increased competition in science tracks is intensifying pressure on students, potentially leaving fewer high-achieving students available to enter fields that support South Korea\u2019s traditionally strong tech-driven economy.<\/span><\/p>\n

High-performing students who fail to secure top medical school spots are now more likely to switch to humanities programs at elite universities rather than settle for lower-ranked science programs. According to Lim, this shift not only depletes talent in critical fields but could also weaken South Korea\u2019s long-term industrial and research capabilities.<\/span><\/p>\n

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CHALLENGES<\/b><\/p>\n

This trend also reflects challenges within South Korea\u2019s research and development environment. Despite a planned <\/span>$19.7 billion (26.5 trillion won) R&D budget<\/span><\/a> for 2025, South Korea\u2019s approach to research funding contrasts sharply with that of countries like Japan.<\/span><\/p>\n

Former graduate student Jeong highlighted that South Korea\u2019s \u201cresults-oriented\u201d funding system often cuts support if projects fail to produce immediate results, discouraging students from pursuing long-term research careers in fields like pure and applied sciences as they fear unstable job prospects.<\/span><\/p>\n

This short-term approach undermines the development of fundamental science and may deter students from pursuing research careers that lack immediate financial reward. To cultivate a workforce capable of supporting diverse industries, Jeong argues that South Korea\u2019s research funding policies must adapt to value both short- and long-term scientific contributions.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Textbooks of final year high-school students scattered in a school courtyard one day after Suneung exams in Nov. 2011 | Image: Jens-Olaf Walter via Flickr (CC BY 2.0<\/a>)<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

A CALL FOR POLICY REFORMS<\/b><\/p>\n

South Korea\u2019s education system has historically driven economic growth by funneling top talent into strategic sectors. However, without some kind of intervention, the current trends could create mismatches between students\u2019 skills and the country\u2019s workforce demands.<\/span><\/p>\n

As more high-performing students pursue paths outside STEM, industries critical to South Korea\u2019s economy, like semiconductors, might face severe talent shortages in the coming decades.<\/span><\/p>\n

To foster a balanced, future-ready workforce, South Korea will need policies that promote equitable institutional support and a long-term approach to research funding.<\/span><\/p>\n

Without policy adjustments, many talented South Korean students may continue to shift away from fields that once defined the country\u2019s economic growth.<\/span><\/p>\n

Edited by John Lee<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Business & Economy<\/span><\/a>Culture & Society<\/span><\/a><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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