Recently, the University of New Hampshire officially announced that outstanding Gaokao participants can gain direct admission to undergraduate programs at the University of New Hampshire (University of New Hampshire Post Gaokao Admission, UNH PGK).
UNH is the first flagship public university in the U.S. to accept Gaokao scores.
This means that Chinese students can use Gaokao scores, high school transcripts, and a school-administered English test to apply for formal freshman admission to the University of New Hampshire for the fall semester.
This admissions policy is primarily aimed at attracting outstanding Chinese high school graduates. For students considering studying in the U.S. after the Gaokao, applying through this policy eliminates the need to spend a year studying for TOEFL, IELTS, or other language assessment programs, thereby saving time, money, and other costs.
Victoria Dutcher, Vice President of the University of New Hampshire, said, "UNH recognizes the intensity and rigor of the Gaokao. In line with our long-standing academic tradition, we place greater emphasis on students' academic performance and accumulation of subject knowledge than on standardized tests like the SAT. We view this opportunity to welcome students to apply directly to UNH after the Gaokao as an excellent extension of our admissions criteria and priorities for recruiting outstanding Chinese students."
University of New Hampshire
Ranked 103rd in the 2018 "Best Colleges" rankings
Ranked 46th among U.S. public universities by U.S. News in 2018
Listed among the top 100 law schools in the U.S. by U.S. News in 2018
The University of New Hampshire is a public institution founded in 1866. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 12,871 and operates on a semester-based academic calendar. Its in-state tuition and fees are $18,067 (2017-18); out-of-state tuition and fees are $32,637 (2017-18).
The University of New Hampshire is located in the charming town of Durham, within walking distance of downtown. The campus has no walls or gates—once you arrive in Durham, you'll find UNH students everywhere. The university is renowned for its three main areas: Space, Ocean, and Earth. Its 'Space Science and Engineering Center' is among the top 5 research facilities of its kind in the U.S.
At UNH, students can choose from over 100 majors, including those in the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences and the Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics for graduate study.
The New York Times reported that the university enrolled 781 international undergraduate and graduate students last year, 357 of whom were from China. To attract more Chinese students, the university has also set up a dedicated bilingual (Chinese-English) application website (www.unh.edu/main/gaokao) and a WeChat account for the "Gaokao admission program".
Admissions at Western universities typically start in September of the previous year and end in April, with acceptance letters sent around June for enrollment in September. For Chinese students who decide to study abroad only after the Gaokao, they often miss the current admissions cycle and have to wait until the next one.
However, the application deadline for UNH's fall 2018 (August) entry is July 13, and the deadline for spring 2019 (January) entry is October 1.
UNH spokesperson Erica Mantz told The New York Times that the university's Gaokao program offers a perfect application timeline for these students: "Chinese students who are unsatisfied with their Gaokao scores and want to study abroad don't have to wait for the next U.S. admissions cycle. They can apply now and start in the spring of next year."
Direct Admission to the University of New Hampshire (UNH) with Gaokao Scores
Undergraduate Program Application Process
▷Eligible Applicants:
Chinese high school graduates with Gaokao scores
▷Application Fee:
No application fee
▷Application Timeline:
Fall 2018 (August) entry application deadline: July 13
Spring 2019 (January) entry application deadline: October 1
Application Process: Phase 1
☞Required Materials:
Completed application form
Gaokao scores
High school transcript
English test: Duolingo, TOEFL, or IELTS
To Proceed to Phase 2
☞Top 25% in the Gaokao in your province and one of the following English test scores:
Duolingo: 70 or above
TOEFL: 80 (iBT), 550 (PBT), 213 (CBT)
IELTS: 6.5
※Unofficial score reports may be submitted initially for reference.
Application Process: Phase 2
Students who meet the above requirements will qualify for a Skype or in-person interview (conducted in one of four major cities: Beijing, Guangzhou, Chengdu, and Chongqing). This will be followed by a writing proficiency test administered by a UNH professor.
※Students do not need to take the SAT or ACT.
Meeting the above requirements does not guarantee admission. The UNH Admissions Office will make a final decision based on a comprehensive evaluation of each applicant's test scores, interview results, and school transcripts.
Other Universities Accepting Gaokao Scores
Chinese students can apply with Gaokao scores to at least six U.S. universities, including the University of San Francisco, Illinois Institute of Technology, Brigham Young University, Suffolk University, Rutgers Business School, and St. Thomas University (Florida), in addition to the University of New Hampshire.
01 Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University (BYU) is a private four-year university founded in 1875, affiliated with the Mormon Church, and is the largest church-affiliated university in the U.S. Its strongest programs include computer science, elementary education, engineering, and business (especially accounting), with mass communication and manufacturing technology also being popular. Freshmen must sign an honor code pledging no drinking, drugs, smoking, or even coffee or tea. Students are required to take seven semesters of religious courses, and campus rules are quite strict.
Gaokao requirements:
Gaokao score of 550 or above; no other specific requirements stated.
02 Illinois Institute of Technology
The Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT), founded in 1890 and located in downtown Chicago, is a world-renowned top-tier private research university with a global reputation in many fields of study and research.
Gaokao requirements:
Gaokao score meeting the standard for first-tier Chinese universities, with an English subject score of at least 110; no TOEFL or SAT required for admission.
03 Suffolk University
Suffolk University, located in Boston, an important city on the U.S. East Coast, began as a law school and later developed into a comprehensive private university. With over 7,500 students, Suffolk (SUF) has grown from a young institution to become the fifth-ranked university in the U.S. for the highest proportion of international students.
Gaokao requirements:
Gaokao English score of 99 or above; no TOEFL required.
04 St. Thomas University
St. Thomas University is located in the prosperous and developed Miami area, the third-largest city in the U.S., and is one of the top universities in the southern region. The university has a very high graduate employment rate and has historically been one of the best in the Southeast for job placement. A large number of its undergraduates go on to pursue graduate studies at prestigious institutions like the University of Miami, Stanford University, and Harvard University.
Gaokao requirements:
High school diploma and Gaokao scores. TOEFL 550 or IELTS 5.0 qualifies for direct undergraduate admission. Applicants without TOEFL scores can apply for English language programs combined with undergraduate courses, with a conditional offer letter.
05 University of San Francisco
The University of San Francisco is located in San Francisco, California, known as the "Gateway to the West Coast." It is the oldest university in the city. According to the 2018 U.S. News & World Report, USF ranks 110th among national universities in the U.S. Its strongest college is the School of Business, which has been ranked among the world's top 100 business schools by the Wall Street Journal.
Gaokao requirements:
Only Gaokao scores and a one-on-one interview with USF staff are required. No other application materials or test scores are needed.
U.S. Universities That Accept Gaokao English Scores in Place of TOEFL
Colorado State University
Drew University
Illinois State University
Marshall University
George Mason University
Oregon State University
Saint Louis University
Suffolk University
University of Alabama at Birmingham
University of South Florida
Washington State University
Illinois Institute of Technology
What Gaokao English Score Can Replace TOEFL?
1. Direct Admission
■Most institutions require 110 out of 150 (or 90 out of 120 for Jiangsu); Saint Louis University's direct admission requires 115 out of 150 (or 95 out of 120 for Jiangsu).
2. International Year One Programs
■1 semester / 1-2 quarters: 110/150 or 90/120 (Jiangsu)
■2 semesters / 3 quarters: 110/150 or 88/120 (Jiangsu)
■3 semesters / 4 quarters: 105/150 or 84/120 (Jiangsu)
