Seoul National University

Admissions Policy governing IB Diploma students

Seoul National University believes that students who earn the IB diploma are well prepared for university studies. The IB courses are factored into the evaluation for admissions in certain SNU admission programs, and the academic performance evaluation reflects the relative difficulty of this rigorous curriculum.

A. International Admissions:

International students and Korean students who have received his or her entire primary and secondary education outside of Korea may apply for the International Admissions Program at Seoul National University. Admissions decisions in International Admissions are based on the candidate's academic achievements and potential as well as his or her personal accomplishments, which is demonstrated in the series of application materials. No additional written test is required in International Admissions. A strong score in IB diploma or IB certificates, along with other internationally recognized rigorous academic standards, will be viewed favorably in the application process. A good command of Korean language proficiency is recommended for the undergraduate study at SNU.

B. Special Admissions for the Talented:

As a category in Early Admission for Korean students, SNU offers a unique admission procedure called the "Special Admissions for the Talented" track, which comprise one third of the total SNU admission quota.

Korean students who have completed entire high school education outside of Korea will be exempt from taking the CSAT (College Scholastic Ability Test; a national exam) under the aforementioned "Talented" admission track. A strong score in IB diploma or IB certificates, along with other internationally recognized rigorous academic standards, will be viewed favorably in the application process. It must be noted, however, that applicants for the special admission track are nevertheless required to adhere to the same additional admissions procedures as are the domestic applicants under this admissions program. For example, the applicants to the Science and Engineering programs are subject to mandatory interview/oral exam in Korean; and the Humanities and Liberal Art applicants are required to write the compulsory essay exams in Korean. Therefore, a strong Korean proficiency level is recommended for all prospective students to the Special Admissions for the Talented.