Fussy students miss the point

Students across China are being advised by education experts to be more realistic about their target universities, saying unnecessary obsessions with big name schools and the perceived rewards can have negative consequences.

What has been identified in the Chinesemedia as the "top university complex" is growing as young people continue to view the most renowned schools as the only ones worth aspiring to attend, not only for the honor, but for the superior job prospects after graduation.

One Shandong graduate student quit the school she qualified for a year into her studies, choosing instead to re-sit the national grad student entrance exam in order to realize her dream of attending one of China's most famous schools.

Xia Xue (not her real name), from Liaocheng, a middle-sized city in Shandong Province, selected an ordinary university in Nanjing, capital of Jiangsu Province, for further studies last year. She dared not apply to the most renowned universities for fear of rejection.

Xia decided to quit after becoming discouraged by the overall standards at the school, particularly with the accommodation and food. A week after leaving she decided she would re-sit the entrance exams in early 2011.

"It's a tremendous strain. But I decided to try my luck because studying at one of the celebrated universities is one of my dreams," Xia said.

Stepping stones

"Prestigious schools lead to more internships, and jobs after graduation," Liu Qin, a third-year grad student from the Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics (BUAA), told the Global Times.

Liu regards the schools listed in the government's 211 Project and 985 Project as the best.

Liu also re-sat the national college entrance exams in mid 2003. He improved his score and was enrolled by a top university, and then four years later by the BUAA.

He said the leading universities have more abundant teaching resources and a better studying atmosphere. They also facilitate professional knowledge and practical abilities, the key demands of employers.

"You don't have a chance to sell yourself if you are not from one of the key universities," said Liu.

"Resumes with ordinary universities get sifted out by employers," Liu added.

Liu said employers not only focus on the status of the university where the highest degree is attained, but also where the bachelor's degree was achieved. They see educational background as a reflection of learning ability and overall competence, which can't be identified through interviews.


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