"Dreaming of Becoming the Next Samsung or Hynix": Incheon Semiconductor High School Information Session Draws Crowds

"As you can see from the banner at the main gate, some of our third-year students have already secured jobs at world-class semiconductor back-end processing companies."

This was the scene at the auditorium of Incheon Semiconductor High School on the afternoon of July 9.

As the principal explained the employment and college admission statistics from the past three years during the 2027 admissions information session, the students in attendance showed a heightened level of focus.

With the recent boom in the semiconductor industry and SK Hynix's decision to abolish academic background requirements, interest in semiconductor-specialized high schools is heating up.

The number of attendees at this information session reached approximately 130, nearly double the turnout from last year's event.

The session was filled with questions from students and parents, such as "What are the competition rates and cutoff scores for each department?", "Can I apply if my grades are not good?", "What is the employment rate for graduates?", and "I have some unexcused tardies; will that affect my admission?"

Incheon Semiconductor High School opened in 1994 as Incheon Information Industry High School, became Incheon Information Science High School in 2020, and changed to its current name in 2024.

There are approximately 420 students enrolled across four departments: Semiconductor Software, Semiconductor Equipment, Semiconductor Design, and Semiconductor Processing.

The school laid the foundation for growth in 2024 when it was selected by the Ministry of Education as one of the top 10 agreement-based specialized high schools in the country.

With 12 billion won in budget support over three years, the school has equipped itself with practice labs comparable to corporate research facilities. Through agreements with Incheon City, the local office of education, and regional companies, the school is providing customized education tailored to local needs.

While graduates who have completed this specific curriculum are scheduled to be produced starting in 2028, some students have already landed jobs at world-class semiconductor back-end processing firms such as Amkor Technology Korea and STATS ChipPAC Korea.

As the only apprenticeship school in the electronics field in Incheon, third-year students spend two days a week learning at school and three days receiving practical training at companies, building their capabilities as semiconductor talent.

A significant number of graduates are also pursuing college education alongside their careers.

An increasing number of students are entering four-year universities through special admissions for incumbent employees after working in the industry for three years, or participating in the Human Resources Development Service of Korea's P-TECH (Professional Technical High School) program, which provides full government funding for students to work at companies during the week and study at junior colleges on weekends.

Incheon Semiconductor High School plans to recruit 128 new students for the 2027 school year in the second half of this year.

Until last year, the school selected new students with a ratio of 90 percent special admissions and 10 percent general admissions, but starting this year, it will recruit 100 percent through special admissions.

While general admissions were based primarily on academic grades, the special admissions process will select students based on attendance (42 percent), academic grades (30 percent), club activities (15 percent), behavioral development (9 percent), and special aptitudes (4 percent).

Considering the high level of interest from students and parents, Incheon Semiconductor High School plans to hold two additional admissions information sessions on November 7 and November 21.

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.