SKY (universities)

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).

Yonsei University

 * 1885: Former Institute of Severance Medical College and Hospital (later part of Yonsei University) was established. First modern hospital and academic institution built in Korea.
 * 1915: Yonhi College established
 * 1946 August: "Yonhi College" changed to "Yonhi University"
 * 1957 January: Severance Medical College and Hospital and Yonhi University merged into Yonsei University

Seoul National University

 * 1895: Former Institute of Seoul National University College of Law was established.
 * 1924: Headquarters and preparatory departments of Keijō Imperial University was founded by Japan. This university is the main predecessor to Seoul National University.
 * 1926: Three departments (namely the departments of Law, Medical Sciences, and Human Sciences) of Keijō Imperial University were opened by Japan. These were the first official higher education institution during the colonial period. This university was the only university in Korea at the time due to oppression by Japan. The Japanese government did not approve the establishment of any university except Keijō Imperial University.
 * 1946 August: Seoul National University founded by merging several Japanese institutions of higher education around Seoul, including Keijō Imperial University

Korea University

 * 1905: Bosung College established
 * 1946 August: "Bosung College" renamed "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

 * SKY Castle, a 2018–2019 JTBC Friday-Saturday prime time drama, explores the employment of coordinators by parents who wish their children to enter one of the three colleges, which sometimes does not come without consequences.