This fall, as new students in America enter their first year of college, I thought I’d talk about SKY universities. Many Korean parents dream of sending their children to a SKY university to further their children’s future. Have you ever heard of the acronym SKY? The letters come from the first letter of three prestigious universities. S stands for Seoul National University (서울대). The K stands for Korea University (고려대), and the Y stands for Yonsei University (연세대). Many Korean politicians and distinguished teachers have graduated from a SKY university. Many in Korea see these SKY universities as a step towards a success future.

All three SKY universities are located in the capital city of Seoul. Of the three SKY universities, Seoul National University is considered the most competitive and prestigious. Famous people like Ban Ki-Moon (반기문), who is the secretary general of the United Nations is an alumni of 서울대. Those who want to go far in politics and governmental affairs are strongly urged to enter this university. Korea University is one of the oldest collegial institution in South Korea. The law school branch of Korea University is exceptional. Lots of prominent judges have graduated from Korea University. Yonsei University had an strong student activist movement during Korea’s colonial period. Yonsei’s beginnings as a college also sprung from Chrisitan beginnings. Korea University and Yonsei University have an intense rivalry. Both Yonsei and Korea University have quality Korean language programs for foreign students.

While the SKY Universities are the top three universities in South Korea, there are others that are still considered prestigious to get into. Ewha Women’s University (이화여자대) is technically a private women’s college, but foreign male students are accepted into the university. Many distinguished women such as Korea’s first female doctor Esther Park, graduated from Ewha Women’s University.

Hanyang University (한양대) is one of Korea’s best engineering schools. A lot of CEOs from famous Korean companies like Samsung and Hyundai have graduated from this school. Sogang University (서강대) is a famous liberal arts college. Sogang is known for its rigorous Korean language program, which emphasizes conversational skills.

You could probably add a few more to the list of prestigious Korean universities, but the universities listed so far are one of the most “wanted” by Korean students.