On February 22 at 2 p.m., Korea Science Academy of KAIST (KSA) held an outdoor entrance ceremony at the Acropolis for the incoming class of 2012. Attendees included the 149 newly admitted students, including 8 foreign students, the current student body, parents, faculty and personnel.
The 2012 admission was competitive with a total of 2,659 applicants and a 17.77 to 1 acceptance rate. This year’s batch of students showed particularly high academic performances not only in mathematics and science, but also in other subject areas. They also exhibited stellar investigative learning abilities. Furthermore, they were socially exemplary students, participating in various volunteer activities and assuming leadership roles in their respective communities.
Just as they did last year, the admissions committee began with the multifaceted criteria evaluations of giftedness to test the students’ talents in mathematics and science as well as creativity. They also thoroughly looked over the candidates’ application forms and school records to determine their sincerity. However, starting with admissions for 2012, students are required to take achievement tests in English, mathematics and science along with a thorough interview for the admissions committee to gain a more accurate insight into the students’ abilities as well as their persona.
The accepted students received confirmation on August 4, 2011, and since then have undergone training to culture their basic skills and sharpen their mathematical abilities in hopes of facilitating their education process at the school. Moreover, during the winter break, KSA organized a series of intensive learning programs for the students at the school such as orientations for each department and guides to school life to ease their transition process to a new environment.
The admitted foreign students, who are from Vietnam, Indonesia, China and Mongolia, underwent a similar admissions process. In the first stage, they were each required to submit their application, school records, letter of recommendation, an introduction essay, proof of nationality and terms of agreement. In the second stage, they were assessed on their talents and sincerity through processes that included a mathematics achievement test and online or phone interviews. With the increasing number of foreign students applying to KSA, the school ambitiously hopes to become a leader in the education of talented students worldwide.