Are KSATS responsible for the dystopian attributes in society? In Korea, the youth race to claim their space in the competitive university entrance process. The universities’ names always possess implications; they are heavily loaded with the indications of one’s capacity, efforts, and even one’s pride. The university craze possibly leads students to sacrifice their creativity and true passion, only leaving room for KSATs to dominate their mindset. If universities within a society were not ranked as a hierarchy, would students have pursued other academic or career paths? To gain insight into this question, The Granite Tower (GT) for its October issue asked students of Korea University (KU) for their opinion on KSATs and what their life would have been like if they had chosen a different path.
Na Hae Bin (‘21, English Literature and Language)
When I was in middle school, I wanted to be a hair designer because I have very nimble hands and it was a job that could be acquired right after graduating from high school. If it were not for KSATs, I would have studied for a cosmetology license and would probably be working in a hair salon. Studying for the KSAT felt very meaningless because none of the subjects were of interest to me. My skepticism about higher education grew as I began to feel as if studying dismantled my creativity. However, now that I’ve finished the college entrance process, I have changed my mind. The efforts I put into KSATs ultimately benefited my overall attitude, more so than it did for my knowledge. Studying for KSATs was more advantageous in improving the skills necessary for life such as perseverance, concentration, and comprehension. These capabilities are indispensable in reaching one’s dream. Furthermore, creativity can shine only when these aspects are intact. Therefore, the time I worked hard for KSAT became my nourishment and worked as a solid foundation for my dream.
Choe Jun-Yong (‘19, Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering)
From a young age, my dream was to be an engineer or an educator. Since these jobs require higher education, I think I would have studied areas which are in need of studying KSATs the KSATs. Personally, I believe that creativity and thinking about one’s future are similar in that they have divergent characteristics of flexible thinking and convergent characteristics of combining previously acquired knowledge to produce results. In order to foster a healthy education, reducing excessive comparison and competition is necessary. Furthermore, divergent and convergent thinking will be enhanced if students actually understand how preparation for the KSAT could contribute to the development of their thoughts.
Yang Yu Jin (‘21, Chemical and Biological Engineering)
I would be preparing to become a government official. Since I don’t have any special talents, I would have chosen a stable path that I could earn with my hard work and effort. Although studying for university is a strenuous process in Korea, I was rather positively influenced. In fact, I was able to gain confidence that “I can do it if I just try” while studying and developing creativity by learning various disciplines. In addition, I had the opportunity to contemplate my future while experiencing and studying for the KSATs.
Kim Da Eun (‘21, Business Administration)
I would probably be amidst the process of becoming an expert in the art field – particularly the performing arts. Performance makes me feel alive more than anything else. However, I don’t think studying for the KSAT hindered my creativity and dream. Rather, I was able to explore my dream in depth during the studying period. While studying various literature passages in KSAT problems, my understanding of performing arts improved. Additionally, solving math problems introduced me to a field of management, as math was used in the corresponding field which oversees the production of performing arts. It was why I entered the department of business administration. Studying for university is not merely an exam but guidance in shaping one’s dream. Undoubtedly, this aspect is discovered when one tries to find meaning in the KSAT.
