Objectives The purpose of this study is to analyze the factors that affect the choice of admission types among college students, including personal background, self-efficacy, autonomy, learning motivation, and major selection motivation. Methods To achieve this goal, a survey was conducted on 1,099 students enrolled at A University in Seoul. Factors influencing admission type preferences were analyzed using chi-square tests, one-way ANOVA, and multinomial logistic regression. Results Differences in admission type preferences emerged based on students' backgrounds, including the region and type of their high school, and the highest educational attainment of their guardians. Among personal characteristics, significant disparities in admission-type preferences were observed based on self-efficacy and major selection motivation. In relation to the origin of the high school, as the region shifted to Seoul and the metropolitan area, and as the educational attainment of male guardians increased, along with stronger intrinsic motives for major selection, the likelihood of opting for the regular comprehensive evaluation process increased. Conversely, in cases where the originating high school was located in urban or smaller cities, and when female guardians possessed higher educational qualifications, along with stronger extrinsic motives for major selection, there was an elevated probability of preferring the regular admission method. Conclusions Given the variations in the backgrounds and attributes of students selecting university admission types, universities should take a keen interest not only in the selection process but also in academic and career support.