Late bloomers eye medical schools amid hike plan
Amidst the South Korean government's move to boost the medical enrollment quota, a growing number of Koreans in their 20s to 50s are flocking to private academies in a determined bid to prepare for medical school applications, or what they are calling their "second chance" in life.
Due to rising demands, private academies that help students prepare for the Korean college entrance exam, or Suneung, have recently opened late-night classes targeting those who already have careers but are hoping to enroll in medical schools for a more "stable and high-income job." One private education service explained that the industry of so-called "prep students" varies from those in education, finance or even journalism.
"Finance company executives and businessmen in their 50s who are not too far away from retirement are inquiring about medical school," an official at one of the study institutions said, adding that there was also a government official in his 40s who asked for counseling.
"Since the life expectancy of people has increased, many people feel anxious about their uncertain life after retirement," the official added. "They are taking the challenge because becoming a doctor gives one a very clear expertise, as there is a 'license,' and the income is much better."
The aspiration of becoming a doctor has been on a constant rise in the country, but this is the first time private education industries have initiated med school prep classes for those already working.
Such a trend comes after the government announced its plan to add 2,000 more medical student seats from the current 3,058 with an aim to tackle doctor shortages and deficiency of medical access in rural regions. A total of 40 medical schools nationwide have collectively requested an increase in the annual student quota by 3,401 in a recent government survey, which is 1.7 times higher than the planned increase of 2,000.
The government's decision to increase the medical quota came after 19 years, as the quota of 3,058 has been fixed since 2006. The prospect of a 65 percent increase in available seats next year presents an enticing challenge for many to pursue, as doctors earn high incomes, according to observers.
Private companies have held signs that read "It's easy to go to med school," promoting classes for those already working. Such classes cost 700,000 ($530) a month and run from 7 p.m. to 10. p.m., a time when office workers who usually work from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. can attend.
With office workers joining the race of medical school enrollment, education communities predict next year's Suneung could become a fierce competition for med schools and expect those preparing for medical school could increase to 15,800 from roughly 9,500 students this year.
-
Where to preMurray relishing prospect of playing with WilliamsPM calls for Koreas to work together to create right conditions for interTwitter launches shopping feature inside livestreamsGame PlanCharming dolphin hams it up for a crowd of kids wanting a showFifa’s normalisation committee good for Pakistan football: PFF presidentAntarctica's massive Larsen C iceberg looks different in daylightSpate of defections show Kim Jong现场督查 对违规行为“零容忍”
下一篇:Carbon neutrality law violates basic rights: Constitutional Court
- ·高燃!哨响表停赛不止,2024广东“村BA”开赛在即,一分钟带你重温高光瞬间。
- ·How to convert YouTube videos to MP3 files
- ·How to convert YouTube videos to MP3 files
- ·[PyeongChang 2018] Over 60 pct of S. Koreans support proposed inter
- ·12 Places that Celebrate Women in Science
- ·一致好评!盘点贵州品牌农产品大湾区推介的明星“贵品”
- ·学习型课堂奏响“乐学曲”
- ·加装车,请你别再忽悠人!
- ·NASA rover snaps photo of its most daunting challenge yet
- ·Speculation swirls over allies' military drill
- ·[Newsmaker] Park aide Woo Byung
- ·AOC and Bernie Sanders rally against mediocre climate change action
- ·N. Korea test
- ·Airborne, 80
- ·Day before climate walkout, Amazon says it's buying 100,000 electric delivery trucks
- ·Say hello to Google Home Max, a giant, super
- ·Webb telescope just snapped image of huge black hole gobbling material
- ·Seoul City spends W4.8b to reduce 0.8 ton of fine dust
- ·学习型课堂奏响“乐学曲”
- ·Meta is tackling revenge porn with their support of StopNCII.org
- ·让法治建设成效更加可感可及
- ·PM calls for Koreas to work together to create right conditions for inter
- ·Seoul said to have softened anti
- ·十八大网上知识竞赛将延期至5月10日
- ·Apple iPod: The First 10 Years of the Ubiquitous Media Player
- ·国道108线荥经青龙至汉源九襄段 禁止4轴以上的车辆通行
- ·The Astounding World of Automata
- ·加装车,请你别再忽悠人!
- ·[INTERVIEW] 'North Korea won't use nuclear bombs'
- ·South Korea drops bombs in response to NK missile provocation
- ·Trump won't stop making a deceptive bird claim. Experts debunk it.
- ·Fifa’s normalisation committee good for Pakistan football: PFF president
- ·FO concerned over anti
- ·[Breaking] 'Molar father' gets death penalty in murder of teen girl
- ·Pakistan to host South Africa before ICC Women’s T20 World Cup
- ·流溪桂味、钱岗糯米糍、井岗红糯……从化优质荔枝来了!