SPECIAL REPORT: THE EDUCATION RACE

Keeping Up With Korea

Move over, Andover and Exeter. Two South Korean high schools score high on Ivy League acceptances.

By B. J. Lee and Adam B. Kushner | NEWSWEEK
Published Aug 9, 2008
Aug. 18-25, 2008 issue

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  • Posted By: rawritsjimmy @ 01/04/2009 12:51:18 PM

    kiddoh, you do have to admit that there is a great amount of corruption in these korean foreign language high schools, not to mention scattering SAT exams. This article seems as if it's supprting the korean foreign language school system... it really shouldn't.

    as you guys might recall from a recent research about 45%? of korean students drop out of those "prestigious" universities they endeavored to go to... school is a place to socialize... some people need to learn that brand names are not the most important thing...

    • Posted By: Gandalf the Black @ 07/03/2009 11:22:15 AM

      That 45% research turned out to be misleading because they defined those who dropped out as those who did not graduate from these universities after 4 or 5 years--that would include those who go back to Korea in the middle of their education to serve the army. And if those Korean students indeed fail to adjust to these American universities, why would the admission officers keep admitting them, knowing that a lot of them would eventually drop out?

  • Posted By: regaini @ 12/20/2008 10:52:34 AM

    kiddoh : "The Ministry of Education is not generous enough for its students preparing to study abroad."

    What is it?I think it is just the will to opportunity. Have more chance. If you were left out of the entrance examination of those university you wanted, go to alternation university in Korea.

    I couldn't find Education Minister's decisive notification that restricted his(her) preparing to study abroad...
    I wish Daewonian doesn't have opportunism like that.
    I want more explanation.

  • Posted By: kiddoh @ 10/07/2008 10:33:21 AM

    ok. kiddoh revisited. i now see this comment i left here kinda turned out to be *controversial*.. Let's make this clear. First, mister_t's comment is groundless and even pathetic. The quality of education at Daewon is very poor~: Daewon is not reprehensible for this. it's because of governmental policies of S.Korea. The Ministry of Education is not generous enough for its students preparing to study abroad. Second, yes indeed we Daewonians get a lot of pressure. But it's not because of "total obsession with school name value". Killing oneself because of SAT scores and such is not in any way related to the school. It's just differences in individual personalities or the intensity of "grade obsession"(differs from person to person) i don't understand why mister_t is blaming Daewon for those differences in individuals.

  • Posted By: mister_t @ 08/27/2008 4:19:15 PM

    As a former teacher at Daewon, I would point out another secret to these school's success: grade fraud & inflation. Teachers are strongly pressured to give A's to almost every student. The quality of education at Daewon is very poor, as evidenced by the difficulties students have once they get to American colleges. Finally, the total obsession with school name value puts immense pressure on kids. It is typical for several students to commit suicide at Daewon each year. One of my brightest students killed herself the day her SAT scores came out.

    These ugly details are left out of Newsweek's ra-ra coverage.

    • Posted By: kiddoh @ 09/03/2008 6:01:13 AM

      AS A CURRENT STUDENT AT DAEWON, I DONT UNDERSTAND WHY ON EARTH WOULD A FORMER TEACHER POST A COMMENT LIKE THIS - DISTORTING AND UNDERMINING DAEWON GLP. AND UNFORTUNATELY, I THINK I KNOW WHO YOU ARE....AND IF IM GUESSING RIGHT....IM SO DISAPPOINTED AT YOU AND HOW YOU LEFT THE SCHOOL. SHAME ON YOU.

  • Posted By: mister_t @ 08/27/2008 4:16:47 PM

    As a former teacher at Daewon, I would point out another secret to these school's success: grade fraud & inflation. Teachers are strongly pressured to give A's to almost every student. The quality of education at Daewon is very poor, as evidenced by the difficulties students have once they get to American colleges. Finally, the total obsession with school name value puts immense pressure on kids. It is typical for several students to commit suicide at Daewon each year. One of my brightest students killed herself the day her SAT scores came out.

    These ugly details are left out of Newsweek's ra-ra coverage.

  • Posted By: paulpao @ 08/13/2008 11:30:39 PM

    I think it's very interesting to see so much success in foreign studies originating from South Korea these days. Not only are there traditional private and public schools, now foreign companies and schools are starting to bring their academic programs to Korea as its' popularity grows. In Yongin there exists an American owned College Preparatory School that allows students to earn an American high school diploma through the school that they can use instead of TOEFL to get into any American universities. It's truly interesting how they operate like an international school, but don't require 5+ years of living in another country. I think the business model of this school is awesom. I would say this is going to be the new big trend in Korea- foreign owned college prep schools. Check out the MWICPS site: http://www.mwright.kr

  • Posted By: paulpao @ 08/13/2008 11:29:09 PM

    I think it's very interesting to see so much success in foreign studies originating from South Korea these days. Not only are there traditional private and public schools, now foreign companies and schools are starting to bring their academic programs to Korea as its' popularity grows. In Yongin there exists an American owned College Preparatory School that allows students to earn an American high school diploma through the school. It's truly interesting how they operate like an international school, but don't require 5+ years of living in another country. I would say this is going to be the new big trend in Korea- foreign owned college prep schools. Check out the MWICPS page at http://www.mwright.kr

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