This blog post examines whether the donation-based admission system can address the issue of half-price tuition and equal educational opportunity. We will discuss its various pros and cons.
South Korea’s university admissions system is anchored by a crucial educational policy known as the ‘Three Prohibitions Policy’. Introduced in 1999, this policy forms the foundation of the university admissions system and the public education system, and is called the ‘Three Prohibitions Policy’. This policy prohibits three things: ‘university admission through donations’, ‘university-administered entrance exams’, and ‘selection based on high school grades’. Among these, the ban on ‘university admission through donations’ has been maintained to this day based on the constitutional principle of equality.
However, over the past decade, the debate for and against university admission through donations has persisted. Each time the argument resurfaced, the proposal to introduce donation-based admission often faced fierce criticism or the discussion itself would fade into the background. However, over the past year or so, particularly as social demands for “half-price tuition” have intensified, university admission through donations has once again been raised as a potential solution to this problem.
Admission through donations clearly has both advantages and disadvantages. Furthermore, concerns remain significant, including the view that it is premature given public sentiment and the potential to exacerbate educational inequality. Nevertheless, considering the various advantages that donation-based admission could bring, and especially the potential to overcome the disadvantages argued by opponents, I believe the system of university admission through donations should be introduced in Korea. This article will examine why donation-based admission should be introduced and how it can solve the half-price tuition problem.
First, university admission through donations is distinctly different from a simple donation-based admission system, as it involves strict criteria. Many people mistakenly equate university admission through donations with a donation-based admission system—essentially, paying a set amount to purchase admission rights. However, in reality, university admission through donations is a system that grants a kind of ‘bonus points’ to individuals who have contributed to the university’s development. For example, Professor Yeon Kang-heum of Yonsei University’s Business School explained that this concept is similar to special admissions for children of national meritorious persons. In other words, supporters of the donation-based admission system emphasize that the meaning of the donation must be carefully evaluated, and benefits are granted only when the contribution is recognized.
Examining examples from U.S. universities reveals that donation-based admission candidates must meet specific criteria to receive benefits. For instance, in SAT scores, donation-based admission candidates might receive an additional 160 points out of a possible 1600, but even then, admission is not granted if the candidate lacks sufficient qualifications. Furthermore, donations might not immediately translate into benefits; instead, the system could operate such that contributions are only recognized after accumulating over a long period. This approach allows university admission through donations to be implemented more cautiously.
Second, implementing donation-based admission alongside a graduation quota system can prevent anticipated problems. There is concern that introducing university admission through donations could invite criticism that degrees are being bought with money. However, implementing a graduation quota system concurrently can significantly alleviate these concerns. The graduation quota system is a mechanism where only a certain percentage of the admission quota can graduate, a system left to the autonomy of universities. In advanced European countries like France, the graduation quota system is already being used to enhance the quality of university education and reduce the financial burden on students. The case of Japanese medical schools also shows that the graduation quota system ultimately benefits outstanding students.
Third, university admission through donations can contribute to reducing tuition fees. Amid the current societal uproar over ‘half-price tuition,’ the number of universities charging nearly 10 million won per semester is rising. The demand for half-price tuition is no longer an empty cry but a pressing reality. While various alternatives have been proposed, most involve either collecting additional taxes from citizens or restricting university autonomy. Amidst this, university admission through donations is emerging as a realistic solution.
According to a survey conducted by Money Today in collaboration with Media Research, targeting 1,000 adults aged 20 and over nationwide, 60.9% of respondents expressed support for a university admission system based on donations. Notably, support for this system was particularly pronounced among lower-income groups. This indicates that university admission through donations could have a positive impact by alleviating tuition burdens and providing educational opportunities to more students.
Fourth, university admission through donations could also contribute to university restructuring and safeguarding institutional autonomy. While South Korea currently boasts one of the world’s highest university enrollment rates, this has become a factor in producing substandard universities and underperforming students. Concerns have been raised that introducing a donation-based university admission system could lead to donations being concentrated at specific schools, intensifying university hierarchies and the rich-get-richer, poor-get-poorer phenomenon. However, this could instead naturally weed out underperforming universities and help foster more substantive institutions. Furthermore, donation-based university admission can promote university specialization by guaranteeing universities’ financial autonomy and autonomy in student selection.
Fifth, university admission through donations can realize equal educational opportunities. While some argue that donation-based admission undermines the principle of equal opportunity, the funds generated by this system can be used to expand scholarships, providing more educational opportunities to students from low-income backgrounds. In this sense, the system can actually contribute to equal educational opportunities.
In conclusion, the university admission system through donations can play a crucial role in solving the problem of halving tuition fees. Introducing this system can yield various positive effects, including tuition fee reduction, realization of equal educational opportunities, university restructuring, and guaranteeing autonomy. While previous discussions have often been entangled in political logic, it is now necessary to carefully introduce this system for the genuine advancement of university education.
