People are flocking to medical school in South Korea.

Thousands of students are abandoning prestigious universities, choosing to retake the medical school entrance exam multiple times in order to have a chance at a profession that is "the most respected and highest-paying."

In 2022, according to data from Jongro Academy, nearly 1,900 students dropped out of prestigious universities such as Seoul National University, Korea University, and Yonsei University. This year, more than 25% of high-scoring candidates in the university entrance exam also rejected admission offers from these three universities.

Seoul National University reports a surge in first-year dropout rates over the past few years. In 2023, the university saw 225 first-year students drop out, a threefold increase from 2019. The majority of dropouts were from STEM ( Science , Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields.

These students want to spend time studying for the medical school entrance exam again, according to Lim Sung Ho, CEO of Jongro Academy. Meanwhile, no applicants to Seoul National University College of Medicine have dropped out. The same is true for other medical schools as well.

Statistics released by the Democratic Party of Korea at the end of March showed that nearly 4,000 medical students between 2020 and 2023 retook the entrance exam multiple times before being admitted. Of these, about 20% retook it three times and 13.4% retook it more than four times. Kang Deuk Gu, a representative of the Democratic Party, stated that the number of retakes reflects a "spreading obsession" with the medical field among elite students nationwide.

"Clearly, high salaries and job stability are the reasons why students love the medical field," said Hong Yoo Suk, Dean of the College of Engineering, Seoul National University.

Students at Happo High School in South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea, prepare for the university entrance exam in November 2021. Photo: Yonhap

Doctors are among the most respected and highest-paying professions in South Korea. According to a report by the Korea Occupational and Labor Network last April, medical professionals were among the top 10 highest-earning occupations. Specialist doctors occupied 16 positions in the top 20 highest-paying jobs, alongside pilots, fund managers, and university presidents.

A survey by the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs indicates that the average annual income of doctors is 230.7 million won (approximately 4 billion VND), more than double the income considered high in the country. This figure is also higher than the average income of 140 million won at Samsung Group.

Besides high income, job satisfaction is another reason why the medical field attracts students. In 2021, more than half of healthcare professionals stated they would recommend this profession to others. This number increased last year to 61.4%, showing that the medical profession is becoming increasingly popular.

According to the Korean Occupational and Labor Network, parents tend to suggest that their children pursue a career in medicine. One in five elementary and middle school students aspires to attend medical school.

Meanwhile, since 2006, the enrollment quota for medical schools has remained "frozen" at 3,000 students per year. At this rate, South Korea predicts a shortage of more than 27,000 doctors by 2035. Therefore, job opportunities in this field are considered very promising.

The South Korean government had planned to expand enrollment at medical schools before April 2024. However, this proposal faced opposition from the Korean Medical Association.

Phuong Anh (According to UWN, The Korea Herald )

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