QUICK ANSWER
Many families still picture “Hongik preparation” as months of timed drawing for a practical exam. For 2027 entry that picture is out of date. Hongik’s Seoul-campus art admissions do not include a practical drawing test. The early-admission 미술우수자 track scores school records, documents and an interview, and the regular track is decided mainly by the CSAT.
So the real choice is between two different workloads: Korean school grades, CSAT minimums and an interview for Hongik, against a portfolio of 8–20 pieces, essays and an English test for U.S. schools. Both are demanding, and they compete for the same final year.
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Hongik 2027: How Art Students Are Selected
| Track | How it works |
|---|---|
| 수시 미술우수자 (289 places) | Stage 1: school record 20% + documents 80% (3× the places). Stage 2: stage-1 score 40% + interview 60%. CSAT minimum: three areas summing to grade 9 or better, plus Korean History grade 4 or better |
| 정시 수능우수자 (art) | Stage 1: CSAT 100% (3× the places). Stage 2: CSAT 60% + documents 40%, including an art activity report (미술활동보고서) |
| Practical drawing test | None listed for art in either track |
From Hongik University (Seoul) 2027 admission plan (대학입학전형계획). Check the final 2027 모집요강 before applying.
The interview in the 수시 track assesses art-related literacy, creativity, expressive ability and whether the submitted documents are authentic. That is closer to a U.S. portfolio conversation than to the old drawing exam.
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What a U.S. Application Asks For Instead
| Item | Typical U.S. art school requirement |
|---|---|
| Portfolio | Parsons 8–12 pieces; Pratt 10–20; RISD 12–20; SVA 15–20 |
| Writing | Statements or essays, from Parsons’ two 300–400-word essays to RISD’s Common App essay |
| English | For example SVA TOEFL 80 (4.5 new scale); Pratt 92 (5); RISD 5 on the new scale |
| Deadlines | From RISD Early Decision on November 1 to regular deadlines in January |
| National exam | Not required; SAT not required at SVA or Pratt |
From the official application pages of Parsons, Pratt, RISD and SVA, checked October 2026.
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Where the Two Paths Collide
The pressure point is the final year of high school. A Hongik applicant needs strong 내신, a CSAT result that meets the minimum, and interview preparation in the autumn. A U.S. applicant needs a finished portfolio by November to January and an English score in hand. Doing both at full strength is possible for some students but costly in time.
A THIRD OPTION TO KNOW
K-Arts (Korea National University of Arts) School of Visual Arts accepts applicants regardless of the CSAT, and applicants to other universities may also apply. For 2027 it offers 90 places. Our K-Arts vs U.S. art schools page compares that route.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does Hongik still have a drawing exam for art?
Not for 2027 Seoul-campus art admissions. Neither the 수시 미술우수자 track nor the 정시 art track lists a practical test.
How many places does Hongik’s 미술우수자 track have?
289 places in the 2027 admission plan.
Is there a CSAT minimum for Hongik art in 수시?
Yes: three areas summing to grade 9 or better, plus Korean History grade 4 or better.
Can a student prepare for Hongik and U.S. schools together?
Yes, but the workloads differ: grades, CSAT and interview for Hongik; portfolio, essays and English scores for U.S. schools.
Does a U.S. art school need the CSAT?
No. U.S. art schools assess the portfolio, writing, school record and English proficiency.
ROYAL BLUE ART & DESIGN
For 19 years we have prepared Korean students for U.S. art schools from our studio in Apgujeong, Seoul. Our public record lists 1,099 acceptances confirmed directly with students at 95 schools. We help families compare the Korean and U.S. calendars before committing a student’s final year. Call 02-3446-5929 or book a consultation.
Hongik University (Seoul) 2027 대학입학전형계획; K-Arts 2027 admission information; U.S. requirements from the official pages of Parsons, Pratt, RISD and SVA. Checked October 2026. If something here has changed, tell us and we will correct it.
Related reading: K-Arts vs U.S. Art Schools · 8 Admissions Mistakes · Gap Year Before U.S. Art School · From Exam to Portfolio · Royal Blue Results