As December approaches, we are fast approaching the end of 2023. For the freshmen preparing to embark on their university journey in 2024, this month is brimming with excitement and anticipation as they prepare for their upcoming lectures at Chung-Ang University (CAU). When reflecting on your own freshman days, the eagerness for your fist class is a common sentiment. However, the experience of attending that initial class can vary depending on the type of admission process you went through.

Opportunity for Pre-taking General Education is Only Given to Successful Applicants of Specific Admission

To graduate from CAU, students are required to take a total of 7 core courses, totaling 14 credits. Most of these courses typically follow a relative grading system known as Type A, with no more than 35% of the class receiving A or A+ grades, and no more than 70% receiving B or B+ grades (including those receiving an A). However, in the pre-admission program, students get a chance to fulfill essential general education courses with an absolute grading system by pre-taking the general education program. There is a total of four such courses, including ‘Computational Thinking & AI Literacy’ and ‘Software-driven World’ which are credit-bearing. 'Computational Thinking & Artificial Intelligence Literacy' is one of the core courses required for graduation. This early course enrollment option offers several advantages. Firstly, students who complete these prerequisites can reduce the number of courses they need to take during the regular semester, allowing them to enroll in more elective courses. Additionally, since these courses are graded on an Pass/Fail scale, students only need to achieve a grade above the Pass threshold, regardless of class size, reducing the academic pressure associated with these specific courses.

Privilege Only for Specific Successful Applicants

The opportunity for pre-taking core courses not only helps alleviate students' academic burdens during the regular semester but also allows them to make better use of their time during vacations. However, there are clear issues with pre-taking core courses. Prospective pre-admission students are those who can participate in the program in the academic year. However, the problem lies in the fact that only students admitted through the rolling admissions process have the opportunity to apply for the program. Preparatory CAU students can apply to pre-take general education courses from late December. At that period, only students admitted through the rolling admissions process are announced and eligible to apply. On the other hand, the regular admissions process typically involves submitting applications in late December and receiving final admission decisions in February. Therefore, it makes it difficult for students to take advantage of opportunities for this program. Additionally, in the case of the Computational Thinking & AI Literacy course, once the 500-person limit is reached, no further applications are accepted, making it irrelevant for regular admissions students. This means that not all students, including regular admissions and transfer students, have equal access to pre-enrollment opportunities for advanced education, and equal opportunities are not being provided to all.

Survey on CAU Students

We asked for the opinions of CAU students regarding the program that allows preparatory applicants to take general education courses before admission.

Directions for Improvement

As students have responded positively to the benefits of the pre-taking program in the survey, all students need to have equal opportunities in the program. For example, it is possible to change the course offering period from late January to early February, to mid-February after the announcement of regular admission results. Alternatively, exploring operational alternatives that provide equal opportunities for all students, such as running separate Computational Thinking and AI Literacy courses for regular admission students, outside the scheduled program, should be considered.

The system that allows students to take courses in advance at CAU is highly beneficial, and all students should have the chance to enjoy these benefits equally. Therefore, the system should be improved in a direction that offers the same opportunity for all students, regardless of whether they were admitted through rolling or regular admissions. With such improvements, more students will be able to enjoy their freshmen year at CAU with greater ease and adaptability.