The national Gaokao results have been released, and the cutoff scores for each province and city are being announced successively. In this decisive battlefield, a single point difference can shift your ranking by thousands.
Some students may have performed well and achieved the expected scores; others may have failed to perform at their usual level due to external factors.
Even if you did well, you still need to compete for limited spots at prestigious universities among a massive pool of candidates.
According to statistics, the number of Gaokao applicants this year reached 10.31 million (excluding the supplementary registration for vocational college expansion), surpassing the 10 million mark again and setting a new record high since 2010, up 560,000 from last year.
Based on birth rate projections, the number of Gaokao-aged population will continue to grow in the next decade. Therefore, for students who didn't perform well this year and hope to retake the exam next year, the pressure they will face in the future will only increase.
Even for students who performed well, entering China's top universities means facing even more intense competition.
According to 2018 statistics, Tianjin had the highest admission rate for 985 Project universities at only 5.81%, while Anhui had the lowest at around 1%.
So, is retaking the exam the only option for students who underperformed this year, only to face an even tougher battlefield next year?
Of course not! In recent years, more and more world-renowned universities have opened their doors to Chinese Gaokao students.
Recently, the world-renowned University of Cambridge explicitly stated on its official website's 'admissions requirements' that the Chinese Gaokao is an examination recognized by Cambridge (Learn more).
US universities are also increasingly opening their doors to Chinese Gaokao students. Since June 2018, US universities have begun accepting Gaokao scores. Chinese Gaokao students can use their English single-subject score in place of TOEFL/IELTS, along with their Gaokao total score and high school transcripts, to apply to US universities.
Dual Admission via Gaokao Scores
As long as the applicant's valid 2019 Gaokao English single-subject score exceeds 90 points (out of 150) and the total Gaokao score reaches the second-tier line, they can apply for 'Dual Admission' and even participate in the scholarship program!
Program Highlights
Gaokao Dual Admission
Apply in July, Enroll in September
Up to $15,000 Scholarship
International Year One Program
Dual Admission: A Powerful Combination for High-Value Scholarships
1. Apply to Auburn University with Gaokao Scores
Students with a valid 2019 Gaokao English score above 90 (out of 150) and a total score at or above the local second-tier line for liberal arts or science can receive direct admission to Auburn University's international programs!
There is also a Gaokao scholarship plan for undergraduate studies:
First-tier line: $15,000
Second-tier line: $10,000
Third-tier line: $5,000
| International Year One AAP (2 semesters) |
Gaokao English Score 110/150 (Jiangsu, Shanghai 88/120) |
| International Year One EAP (3 semesters) |
Gaokao English Score 105/150 (Jiangsu, Shanghai 84/120) |
| Academic English Program PSE | Gaokao English Score 90/150 (Jiangsu, Shanghai 60/120) |
2. Apply to Adelphi University with Gaokao Scores
Students with a valid 2019 Gaokao English score above 90 (out of 150) and a total score at or above the local second-tier line for liberal arts or science can receive direct admission to Adelphi University's international programs!
There is also a Gaokao scholarship plan for undergraduate studies:
First-tier line: $15,000
Second-tier line: $10,000
Third-tier line: $5,000
| International Year One AAP (2 semesters) |
Gaokao English Score 110/150 (Jiangsu, Shanghai 88/120) |
| International Year One EAP (3 semesters) |
Gaokao English Score 105/150 (Jiangsu, Shanghai 84/120) |
| Academic English Program PSE | Gaokao English Score 90/150 (Jiangsu, Shanghai 60/120) |
3. Apply to University of Dayton with Gaokao Scores
Students with a valid 2019 Gaokao English score above 125 (out of 150) and a total score at or above the local first-tier line for liberal arts or science can receive direct admission to the University of Dayton's international direct entry program!
There is also a Gaokao scholarship plan for undergraduate studies:
First-tier line: $15,000
Second-tier line: $10,000
Third-tier line: $5,000
| Gaokao English Score 125/150 (Jiangsu, Shanghai 100/120) |
Gaokao English Score 125/150 (Jiangsu, Shanghai 100/120) |
If you reach the second-tier line, you can still apply for International Year One or language programs:
| International Year One AAP (2 semesters) |
Gaokao English Score 110/150 (Jiangsu, Shanghai 88/120) |
| International Year One EAP (3 semesters) |
Gaokao English Score 105/150 (Jiangsu, Shanghai 84/120) |
| Academic English Program PSE | Gaokao English Score 90/150 (Jiangsu, Shanghai 60/120) |
4. Apply to Louisiana State University with Gaokao Scores
Students with a valid 2019 Gaokao English score above 90 (out of 150) and a total score at or above the local second-tier line for liberal arts or science can receive direct admission to LSU's international programs!
There is also a Gaokao scholarship plan for undergraduate studies:
First-tier line: $15,000
Second-tier line: $10,000
Third-tier line: $5,000
| International Year One AAP (2 semesters) |
Gaokao English Score 110/150 (Jiangsu, Shanghai 88/120) |
| International Year One EAP (3 semesters) |
Gaokao English Score 105/150 (Jiangsu, Shanghai 84/120) |
| Academic English Program PSE | Gaokao English Score 90/150 (Jiangsu, Shanghai 60/120) |
5. Apply to University of the Pacific with Gaokao Scores
Students with a valid 2019 Gaokao English score above 90 (out of 150) and a total score at or above the local second-tier line for liberal arts or science can receive direct admission to the University of the Pacific's international programs.
There is also a Gaokao scholarship plan for undergraduate studies:
First-tier line: $15,000
Second-tier line: $10,000
Third-tier line: $5,000
| International Year One AAP (2 semesters) |
Gaokao English Score 110/150 (Jiangsu, Shanghai 88/120) |
| International Year One EAP (3 semesters) |
Gaokao English Score 105/150 (Jiangsu, Shanghai 84/120) |
| Academic English Program PSE | Gaokao English Score 90/150 (Jiangsu, Shanghai 60/120) |
Score requirements for each school:
International Year One Program
Students who don't meet the direct admission requirements need not worry. As long as they have a certain language score, these US universities also offer International Year One programs designed for international students.
Unlike dual admission, students in the International Year One can earn credits for the courses they take while studying English, and upon meeting requirements after the program, they can directly progress to the second year.
For most US universities offering this program, a TOEFL score of 60 or above, or an IELTS score of 5.5 or above is sufficient to apply. After the Gaokao in June, apply in July and start studying in the US in September!
Other universities offering such programs include: University of Utah, University of Kansas, American University, University of South Carolina, Florida International University, University of the Pacific, and more.
Scholarship Program
Even better, these US universities, to welcome Chinese international students, have launched a special scholarship program. With outstanding Gaokao scores (valid for two years, meaning 2018 Gaokao scores can also be used for scholarship applications for 2019 fall enrollment), you have the chance to receive up to $15,000 (approximately 103,000 RMB) in scholarships. Specifically:
First-tier line: $15,000
Second-tier line: $10,000
Third-tier line: $5,000
The Gaokao is just one stop in life, not the final verdict. What matters more in life is daily progress and each choice of path. The road ahead is long, and there is always a path that belongs to you!
Want to learn more about applying directly to US universities with Gaokao scores?
Visit the CheersYou（清柚教育） official website homepage and consult with a CheersYou（清柚教育） advisor!
