Students Retaking Freshman Year: What Is the "Grade Reset" Phenomenon?

Nearly 10,450 First-Year Students Drop Out
Re-enrollment on the Rise Due to "Grade Reset" Strategy

As the influence of high school academic records grows in the college admissions process, a new admissions strategy has emerged, known as the so-called "Grade Reset." This refers to a method in which a student who did not receive good grades in their first year of high school voluntarily drops out and attempts to re-enter as a new freshman. As a result, the number of students giving up on their studies as early as their first year of high school has surpassed 10,000.

According to an analysis by Jongro Academy of data disclosed by the School Information Service on June 7, 18,661 students dropped out of 1,003 general high schools nationwide last year. Among them, first-year students accounted for 10,450, making up 56.0% of the total. This means that more than half of high school dropouts left school during their first year. It is also the first time since records began that the annual number of high school dropouts has exceeded 10,000.

High school students preparing for exams. The photo is not related to any specific expression in the article. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Why has this phenomenon occurred? The admissions industry analyzes it as a result of the "Grade Reset" phenomenon. In fact, numerous accounts have been observed on online college admissions communities, social media platforms, and YouTube channels, stating that "the number of students voluntarily dropping out due to grade reset strategies is increasing." One netizen who identified themselves as a high school student said, "In the past, students would drop out and immediately prepare for the regular admissions process, but things are different now. Students are intentionally dropping out to re-enroll in schools where it is easier to get good grades. They move down a grade to attend classes with younger students."

Another high school student complained, "Students who re-enroll have already learned the material a year earlier than the first-year students. It becomes easier for them to achieve a higher grade ranking, and as a result, other students who fall behind in the grade rankings are also driven to reset their grades, creating a vicious cycle."

The student added, "It's telling that the term 'Grade Reset' has become a buzzword. I hope adults and the media recognize how abnormal this situation has become."

In student communities and parent forums, there is a constant stream of posts asking about the grade reset strategy, such as, "My first semester freshman grades are not good enough to get into medical school," "Can dropping out and re-enrolling be a viable strategy?" and "My grades are lower than expected. Should I drop out and re-enroll even now?"

The Compressed Grade System Is Intensifying Competition

Yonhap News Agency

The "5-level high school grading system," which will be applied to college admissions from 2028, appears to be fueling the grade reset trend. The new system compresses the previous 9-level system into 5 levels. As a result, the top grade, which previously included the top 4%, will now encompass the top 10% of students.

While it has become easier to receive a top grade, a paradox arises for students targeting the most prestigious universities, as competition becomes even more intense. If a student receives even a single grade below level 1, they may have to give up on attending a top university. In fact, Megastudy Education's "2028 Assignment Analysis Based on the 5-level System" released in March indicated that the average grade required for admission to Seoul-based universities would be 1.583 under the new system. Under the previous 9-level system, students with a level 2 grade could still aspire to attend universities in Seoul.

Seongho Lim, CEO of Jongro Academy, told 'Yonhap News,' "Under the 5-level system, the fear that you won't get into a major university unless you are in the top grade is very real," adding, "There is no alternative to overcome this."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.