Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU)’s University College was established from 2005 and has been recruiting students at a college unit basis ever since. For a year, students spend time strengthening their knowledge in liberal arts and basic studies, while in the same time get the chance to find the major that suites their aptitude. The college units are divided into 5 fields: liberal arts, social sciences, science, communication and information engineering and lastly, engineering. The liberal arts unit consists of College of Confucian Studies & Eastern Philosophy and College of Liberal Arts; the social science unit consists of College of Social Sciences and College of Economics; the science unit consists of College of Science and College of Biotechnology & Bioengineering; the communication and information engineering unit consists of College of Information and Communication Engineering; the engineering unit consists of College of Engineering, and each college is also  broken down into finer units of majors.

However, ‘Major pre-selected students’ who have been already accepted will automatically be allocated to their majors, while student who signed on( or will sign on) a   leave of absence (normal or military ) after the 2 semesters are also obliged to enter the process . 

The first period for department application (Dec. 7. 2015 10:00 A.M. to Dec. 10. 2015 06:00 P.M.) has already ended. After Grade Confirmation of the second semester, a second (and alteration) period will open. Students can apply to college of science, college of engineering and college of information and communication engineering from Jan. 18. 2016 10:00 A.M. to Jan. 20. 2016 06:00 P.M. Liberal arts and social sciences students can have alterations from Jan. 20. 2016 10:00 A.M. to Jan. 21. 2016 06:00 P.M.

The application procedure is described as follows:
GLS->Application/Graduation Requirements Management-> Application for department-> Application for department (College Unit) ->Select College Unit Preference -> Apply

Students should select all majors in their colleges by ranking them based on your own preference. After application students can check what their standing is for each major. Students’ standings are decided by their GPA. In the first department selection period only GPA from the spring semester was considered, but in the second department application period the GPA from the fall semester is included. Students’ standing can change from the first department application period, so it is advised that students check their status again at the last application (alteration) period. The grade used in the department application is an average of all grades acquired from the areas of ‘Writing and Communication’, ‘Global Culture’, ‘Fundamental of Thinking’ and required core courses from each department. When a student has retaken a course, both the old and new one will be included. The results will be announced on Jan. 26. 2016 (Tue), and students’ status will be updated and changed on Mar. 1. 2016., to their allocated departments. For those who are going through hard decisions, the university has provided interviews from six students who have already chosen their departments. We hope this will help students in their decisions.

■ Dept. of Library and information Science  Jung, Ye Won (Entered in 2014)

Q1. Please introduce yourself and your department.
I am Jung, Ye Won. I am majoring in Library and information Science. I started studying from 2014.

Q2. Why did you choose your department?
I was divided over two majors when I was selecting my department. I knew I was more interested in social sciences than language studies, so this department was more attractive since it issues a second level Librarian certificate and the studies included big data analysis.

Q3. What is special about the department? What are the pros and cons? And to who do you recommend this department to?
After I started studying, I realized it is completely different from what I have vaguely thought it would be. It is hard to mention the pros and cons since the best way is to experience it first-hand. But I can come up with two good things I personally feel about my department. First is lectures done in English and the support for ischool abroad, and the various outside lectures provided. As the SKKU library and information science department is the only one in Korea that is designated as an ischool, also as it is a related to interdisciplinary major of Data Sciences, there are an abundant amount of chances for acquiring information abroad and participating. And for cons, if I had to name one, the fact that the department can find its roots in librarian major, it is inseparable from libraries which is not that exciting.

Q4. Is there anything you want to tell students who are about to make the big decision?
Advice from friends and parents are always helpful, but it could be more wiser also to listen to your own voice by going on a short trip or something and then make the choice.

■ Dept. of History  Kim, Jin ho (Entered in 2014)

Q1. Please introduce yourself and your department.
Hi. I am Kim, Jin ho. I entered Liberal Arts College in 2014 and entered Dept. of History in 2015.

Q2. Why did you choose your department?
I liked Korean history since I was in middle school and high school. Maybe it was because I was able to come in contact with comics or drama’s about history more, also Korean history was my favorite subjects out of all the subjects. In highschool, from the first mock KSAT, Korean history was almost considered like a compulsory subject for me. When I was studying, internet lecture from Choi, Tae Sung who is also our alumni, was very helpful. After being accepted by SKKU through nonscheduled admission, I spent my freshmen year solely on entering the Department of History, and obviously applied for it.

Q3. What is special about the department? What are the pros and cons? And to whom do you recommend this department to?
We are not divided into eastern and western history like other universities. Therefore we could take various lectures to encompass both east and west. Also because top professors in their fields come and give lectures passionately in each class, you get to learn something more than just the history you know. And as a characteristic of the department, field trips are made to historic sites every spring and autumn. It is a good experience to explore the historic sites first hand, beyond just learning in the classroom. Moreover, it’s an opportunity to get closer to one another. To graduate it is required to do at least two field trips. However, a lot of seniors keep coming even after they fulfilled the requirements just for the fun. So students who like history like me or who want to know more about history can just apply without any hesitation.

However there’s an obstacle which is Classical-Chinese. Due to the department’s characteristics, most lectures are done based on documents written in Classical-Chinese and you are required to translate them on your own. So for those who are not that familiar with Classical-Chinese it would be better to study it beforehand.

Q4. Is there anything you want to tell students who are about to make the big decision?
Foremost, I would like to say trust in your decision. You might hear that it’s not good for getting a job, some departments are better in getting a job than this, and even you might also feel that as well. However, I feel that it’s much more valuable to study what you want to study at the university which you only go once in your life. Also it isn’t worth toiling over a major you don’t like because of getting a job. And even if you are still worried, I do not think it is a big problem, since you can always have double-major. SKKU has a great double major system, so if you use it effectively you will be able to get positive results. To sum it up, it is important to apply for what you really want.

■ Dept. of Korean Language and Literature Lee, Yun ho (Entered in 2014)

Q1. Please introduce yourself and your department.
Hello. I am Lee, Yun ho. I am a sophomore in the Dept. of Korean Language and Literature.

Q2. Why did you choose your department?
I had many thoughts about which department I should choose even until the department application period. I thought it would be better to choose after looking up details about each department. So I looked into each department’s curriculum. There were a lot of culture related lectures in regarding Glocal Inter-disciplinary Program in the Department of Korean Language and Literature. I chose it because I thought I will enable me to learn various areas regarding culture, in addition to language and literature studies.

Q3. What is special about the department? What are the pros and cons? And to whom do you recommend this department to?
Because I haven’t spent much time here yet, but I believe the professors are dedicated. They always try to teach us more and are friendly, so it almost feels like I’m back at high school class room. Sometimes it could be hard because of assignments, team projects and exams, but I thinks it pays off. I have seen several people who choose Korean language and literature because it right for their GPA, and are having a hard time. I think if your aptitude is not too against reading books and writing, applying for this major won’t be a problem.

Q4. Is there anything you want to tell students who are about to make the big decision?
You must have lots of worries with the department decision ahead, but the most important thing is to just first think of what you want to do and try to find your major in that direction. If you do choose to a study that doesn’t interest you, you will be less enthusiastic about it, and will have no love for your department. Choose carefully and I hope you enjoy a satisfying college learning experience.

■  Dept. of Economics Kim, You Rim (Entered in 2014)

Q1. Please introduce yourself and your department.
Hello. I’m Kim, You Rim from the Dept. of Economics, I entered SKKU in 2014.

Q2. Why did you choose your department?
When I got permission from the College of Social Sciences, I hoped to go on to the Dept. of Public Administration so that I can pursue work in the public sector. However, I got attracted to Department of Economics while I took some liberal arts classes and after having a talk with some seniors of mine. In getting a job or preparing for qualifying examinations, I noticed, economics plays a crucial role. So, I decided to go on to me present department which is one of the most popular departments among students

Q3. What is special about the department? What are the pros and cons? And to whom do you recommend this department to?
One of the features of this department is the atmosphere. Only those who get high scores during the first year of school can have a chance to study in this department. Consequently, they study enthusiastically. Economics has many things to study, compared to others. While less team projects reduce burden of daily study, thorough review and preparation are required.

One of the advantages is that classes of economics don’t have many team projects and presentations. So, students can get high scores by studying alone. It’s not bothersome in setting a timetable because several time slots are available for a single subject. Thanks to the well-organized curriculum, students can study step-by-step feeling progress.

For disadvantages, it’s hard to communicate between students because too many students are in economics. This makes students hard to have a sense of belonging and grow a fondness for the department.

You can check whether you are apt for economics through taking the ‘Introduction to Economics’ as a course. Our department is well matched with those who can presevere through long hours of study and who are confident with mathematics. For these people I would recommend economics if they haven't determined their goal yet, because economics is appliable to a broad of careers and fields.

Q4. Is there anything you want to tell students who are about to make the big decision?
The point is not be carried away by what others say. Although it is worht while to get a lot of advice from seniors and friends, you must carefully contemplate and decide on what your career path will be and what your interests are. Those who are worried of their lack knowledge in economics should not fret. Everyone starts from the beginning.

■ Dept. of Political Science and Diplomacy Kwon Jin Ho (Entered in 2014)

Q1. Please introduce yourself and your department.
Hello, my name is Kwon, Jin Ho. I’m student president of Dept. of Political Science and Diplomacy.

Q2. Why did you choose your department?
I didn’t intend to go to this department at first. During the first year of school, I thought hard about which department that would best suite me. I consulted with my school mentor, took the MBTI personality type test at psychology consultation center, and talked with a senior in my club. And with what I found, I discussed with my family who knew me best. And finally I decided to study at this department. 

Q3. What is special about the department? What are the pros and cons? And to whom do you recommend this department to?
Most of our class consists of presentation and discussion due to the characteristic of the department. I think this class style is the most valuable part of our department since students can learn many other things besides the knowledge part. You can practice showing your opinion in front of many people through presentations, examine your opinion through discussions, and broaden your perspective by hearing other’s opinions. According to a older alumnus, this class style helped a lot to prepare for job interviews. For disadvantages, those who are not in favor of this type of class might find difficult to actively participate in class.

Another characteristic is that students can easily learn the complicated and highly interdependent political atmosphere of the modern era. For instance, students will encounter questions like, ‘Analyze, in the perspective of ancient political philosophy and political ideas why citizens in democracies support dictators’, ‘Why is the approval rating for the US GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump rising in terms of comparative politics’, ‘From the international politics’ viewpoint, what position should Korea take between the United States and China which is emerging as G2’ and more.

In this department, you don’t just learn archaic theory but also practical politics on current issues. Professors of our department do their best to be neutral. However, sometimes they inevitably show their own opinions and stances which some students might feel uncomfortable.

Q4. Is there anything you want to tell students who are about to make the big decision?
"Politics has the longest history and most broadest focus among the fields of social sciences, and is a important field of study with its research dealing with  personal and social behavior within a social structure. Not only does politics itself have a significant meaning as a study, but also it takes on a superior positions in relation to other humanities and social science." The forementioned is a quote from the introduction of political science. This might sound vague and fundamental but politics is the fundamental study for executing most everything.

Lastly, do not make mistake at this pivitol moment in your life, deciding a major, based on the alterial aspects and divid the departments into two categories of commerce and non-commerce majors. Although there is a double major policy, with this one decision 3 long years are going to be put into your this choosen major. And because after graduation you only have the knowledge that you've learn for several year through your major, your carreer will be in a relative field. To be alittle dramatic, this decision might change your life. So be very prudent and thorough in contemplating over yourself and try to find the one that fits you. 

■ Dept. of Journalism and Mass Communication  No, Hye Jin

Q1. Please introduce yourself and your department.
My name is No, Hye Jin. I am a sophomore in the Dept. of Journalism and Mass Communication

Q2. Why did you choose your department?
I wanted to come to this department from the first day I came to SKKU. It is because I wanted to become a reporter. Not only that but I was also interested in learning what the role of the media is and what is a proper media, and to learn more deeply about these I decided on this department.

Q3. What is special about the department? What are the pros and cons? And to whom do you recommend this department to?
I’m not sure if I can give you an opinion only after studying a year at my major. However, based on my experience, I don’t think I learned what I wanted to learn from my department. If someone wants to become a producer, I don’t think it would be a good choice. I would rather recommend them to learn production and direction. From the first year I spent I can say that our department is much stronger in theory rather than hands on knowledge. It could be because I took the course, but you learn a lot about ‘Communication’. So I would suggest our department is not a necessity for those who are interested in becoming a reporter, producer. Personally, I would recommend it to those who are interested in advertisement and marketing. Although I am not learning what I first intended, I am satisfied with the knowledge I get from our department. 

You have to know that “Dept. of Journalism and Mass Communication = team project”. Depending on who you are, team projects can be a virtue or a vice. In our department, in order to apply the theories learned to real life, there are many campaigns and projects related to team projects. While it might be very demanding on the individual, there are many team project subjects that you can conduct without much difficulty and with interest. To summarize,  students may learn more theory than hands on experience, but the knowledge that the department does provide are a very helpful set of information.  

Q4. Is there anything you want to tell students who are about to make the big decision?
It’s very different with experiencing it and describing it. It would be good to check out the department courses and curriculum before deciding. Although I’m not learning the things I initially wanted to learn, but I am satisfied with what the department offers me. Try talking to the seniors around you and check out the courses and make an unregretful selection.

※ You can read detailed descriptions about each department on Notice on the college websites (http://hakbu.skku.edu/hakbu/index.jsp). Hope students find their right departments and enter departments of their liking.

Ⅷ. Contact
1. Humanities Science, Social Science (Humanities and Social Sciences CAMPUS) University College Admin. Office [☎ 02-760-0991, 0992, 0967]

2. Natural Science, Engineering, Communication and Information Engineering (Natural Science CAMPUS) University College Admin. Office [☎ 031-299-4223~4]