SKY is an unofficial grouping and acronym for the three most prestigious and academically competitive universities located in Seoul, South Korea. It includes Seoul National University, Korea University, and Yonsei University. The term is widely used in South Korea, both in the media and by the universities themselves. Being admitted to one of the SKY universities is frequently seen as important to one's career and social position in the country. The acronym also implies that the universities are extremely difficult to get into (i.e., students are reaching for the sky).

Members

History

Yonsei University

Seoul National University

Korea University

National recognition

In 2010, it was reported that 46.3% of high government officials and 50% of CEOs of major financial industries were graduates of SKY universities. Also, over 60% of the students who passed the 2010 Korean Bar examination were graduates of SKY universities. Being admitted in one of these universities typically requires students to be within the top 1% of the Korean College Scholastic Ability Test.

Concerns

There have been a number of SKY university students who have dropped out of school to protest against South Korea's overheated academic elitism.

In popular culture