University entry rate sets record

More than 80 percent of high-school graduates applying to enter university gained admission, the highest entry rate ever, according to placement lists released yesterday.

Out of 97,699 high school graduates who applied under the new diversified university admissions system, 78,562 made it onto this year's admission list -- an acceptance rate of 80.14 percent.

Yesterday's placement lists were the first under the new university admission scheme. Under the old scheme, the only way for high-school graduates to be admitted was via the Joint College Entrance Examination, which was established in 1954.

More options

Under the new system, university hopefuls can choose between taking the scholastic-achievement test, the department-required subjects test, or both.

Those with special talents can also gain admission with a recommendation from their high school.

Universities use each student's test score and written application or recommendation to decide whom to admit.

Despite this year's record-high admission rate, vacancies were not filled in some university departments.

For example, 92 out of 100 spots were left open at Fu Jen Catholic University's nursing department, 117 of 165 spots were left vacant at Tamkang University's electronics engineering department and 41 spots left open at Hsuan Chuang University's psychology department.

Liu Chao-han (劉兆漢), president of National Central University and convener of the United University Placement Committee, said that these vacancies were the result of the high admission standards set by these departments.

The placement committee is in charge of the allocation of college entrants.

Learning experience

"The statistics from this published placement list can serve as an experience for each and every university and college in terms of adjusting the way they admit students," Liu said when he released the placement lists yesterday. Liu added that the committee itself would review the statistics and look for ways to improve the system.

Though the placement lists were available online as well as via telephone inquiries, many college hopefuls still opted for the traditional way of viewing the lists, crowding in front of National Taiwan University yesterday, where placement lists are posted.