2023 SNU Admits Who Took IB Chemistry and Biology: Totals of 43 and 42

IB Chemistry seems to have been particularly difficult this time.

I received several messages after the exam.

And messages announcing SNU acceptances began arriving yesterday afternoon.

The student doesn't want their department or name disclosed, so I'm only posting the acceptance letter. This is a student I worried about a great deal, so I'm very relieved they got in.

We had many personal conversations, and they had been struggling. I'm delighted that they were accepted to SNU.

This student also got into SNU.

But this one was always quiet, never complained, and performed well, so it isn't surprising, haha.

Getting into SNU doesn't mean you absolutely need an IB total of 45. The same goes for KAIST; I've seen students get in without 45.

I have so many students that I can be rather abrupt in consultations, and I'm usually not looking to take more. I don't tend to say flattering things just to attract students.

Honestly, some places frighten people by saying they must have an IB 45 and perfect English scores. Don't let statements like that scare you.

What I've felt after seeing students enter KAIST, SNU, and even medicine and pharmacy over several years is this:

In the cases I've seen, students have entered SNU with IB and English scores—and sometimes even without an English score. But I'm talking about students eligible for the 12-year overseas-study admission route.

I've seen successful IB totals starting at 42. Don't believe a blanket claim that you need at least 44.

For KAIST, I haven't often seen admission on IB alone. In my experience, AP subjects matter. I've seen many students enter with an IB 43.

For pharmacy, IB and English scores seem to have been sufficient in some cases, although the IB totals were usually above 44.