The gaokao truly lives up to its viral status. In just 4 days, it dominated multiple trending topics: “gaokao essay”, “thank the exam setters”, “strong liberal arts students for life”...
Seeing these trending topics, it feels as if one has gone through the tense gaokao all over again.
Many netizens, while reminiscing about their own gaokao, were also amused by the creative complaints from students after the exam:
“Proper move, brilliant move, ordinary move—I had no idea how to start my essay”
“I asked Wei Shen to possess me, not the exam paper!”
......
As bystanders, we might still find joy in the serious atmosphere, but the real test-takers probably have no time to care. This year’s gaokao is once again “a thousand troops crossing a single-log bridge”—a record 11.93 million applicants, a new high, and the ferocity of competition is imaginable.
Although the gaokao is a path, it is by no means the only choice. Life after the gaokao can be “playing both hands.” Facing the fiercely competitive gaokao environment, your gaokao score can also be used to apply to prestigious overseas universities!
U.S. Institutions
Compared to other countries, relatively few U.S. universities explicitly accept Chinese gaokao scores. Currently, top-ranked ones include Brown University and New York University, which have announced acceptance of gaokao scores.
Brown University
Brown University is a world-renowned top private research university founded in 1764 and one of the eight Ivy League schools in the U.S. Brown has always maintained a “small but elite” education. Its strong majors include economics, computer science, engineering, biology, neuroscience, mathematics, etc., with outstanding academic strength.
If domestic students attend regular high schools rather than international schools, in addition to TOEFL/IELTS scores, Brown also requires submission of “gaokao scores.”
Brown requires students to submit predicted scores at the time of application and to submit final gaokao scores before enrollment. If submission is not possible, the applicant and their high school must provide a written explanation.
At the same time, applicants are also advised to take SAT, AP, and other exams to demonstrate academic ability and increase the chances of successful application.
New York University
The just-concluded NYU graduation ceremony was truly spectacular.
As a “New Ivy,” NYU is not only one of the largest private universities in the U.S., but its location in the heart of New York City also provides natural employment advantages.
Regarding gaokao scores, NYU also accepts them. Chinese students from regular high schools need to submit their high school grades when applying to NYU. After being admitted, they must submit their gaokao scores, high school transcripts for three years, and proof of high school graduation through the school.
Unless otherwise specified, all materials and documents must be issued by the school or other official institutions, and all non-English documents must be accompanied by official English translations and certified before submission.
Additionally, students who meet the general gaokao registration requirements and participate in the 2022 gaokao can apply to NYU Shanghai.
Other U.S. universities that accept Chinese gaokao scores include:
Rutgers University, Brigham Young University, University of Delaware, University of South Florida, Saint Louis University, University of Oregon, University of San Francisco, George Mason University, University of New Hampshire, Colorado State University, Washington State University, Illinois Institute of Technology ...
U.K. Institutions
To attract more high-quality students from China, many U.K. institutions accept gaokao scores for direct undergraduate application. However, requirements vary by school and program. Most schools have clear minimum gaokao score thresholds for admission.
University of Cambridge
Founded in 1209, the University of Cambridge is one of the four oldest surviving universities in the world, with a long history attracting distinguished figures from around the globe. Cambridge holds a high academic status and wide influence in many fields, recognized globally as one of the top higher education institutions. The university has eight arts and science museums and a library collection of nearly 15 million volumes.
For gaokao score requirements, Cambridge is particularly stringent. Gaokao score rankings need to be in the top 0.1% of the province. Individual subject scores and high school graduation exam scores are evaluated during the application process. Cambridge encourages students to participate in Olympiad competitions, or to have SAT, AP, etc., exam scores.
Some programs require interviews, which are often held in Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Cambridge.
Language requirement: IELTS 7.5, with no band lower than 7.0.
University of Glasgow
As one of the ten oldest universities in the world, the University of Glasgow is the fourth oldest university in the U.K. It has over 100 departments across four colleges: College of Arts, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, College of Science and Engineering, and College of Social Sciences. Glasgow is a founding member of the Russell Group (the U.K.'s Ivy League equivalent) and Universitas 21, and was the first university in the U.K. to receive a Super Five Stars rating.
The University of Glasgow requires applicants' total gaokao scores to reach above 80%, i.e., 600 out of 750. For mathematics, statistics, engineering, physics, etc., programs, a math score of no lower than 120 is required.
Additionally, direct entry via gaokao does not include medicine, veterinary medicine, nursing, law, etc. Students must have completed a full three years of high school education, with a high school average score of no less than 80%.
Language requirement: IELTS 6.5-7.0, with most programs requiring 6.5.
Other U.K. universities that accept Chinese gaokao scores include:
University of Birmingham, University of Southampton, University of Leeds, Queen Mary University of London, Newcastle University, Cardiff University, University of Exeter, University of Aberdeen, Queen's University Belfast, University of Leicester, University of Strathclyde, Heriot-Watt University, Royal Holloway, University of London, University of Dundee, Brunel University London, University of Kent, Oxford Brookes University, University of Essex, Swansea University, University of Stirling, Coventry University, University of Hull, University of Plymouth, University of Derby, University of West London, Staffordshire University, Anglia Ruskin University, University of Brighton, Aberystwyth University ...
Australian Institutions
Many Australian universities, including those ranked among the world's top 100, have successively announced that they accept Chinese gaokao scores for undergraduate application.
Among Australia's Group of Eight prestigious universities, except for the University of Melbourne, the Australian National University, University of Sydney, University of Queensland, University of New South Wales, Monash University, University of Adelaide, and University of Western Australia all accept applications from Chinese students based on gaokao scores.
Different universities and programs have different score requirements for students from different provinces. For most schools, applicants need a total gaokao score ranging from 70% to 90%.
At the same time, an IELTS score of 6.5 or above is still required to waive language courses (some majors like medicine, law, etc., cannot be directly entered via gaokao).
Canadian Institutions
Most Canadian universities accept students from regular Chinese high schools.
Taking the University of Toronto as an example, applicants generally need to provide high school transcripts for three years, graduation exam scores, and gaokao score reports for application.
Requirements for applicants using gaokao scores may vary by university and program. To ensure the authenticity of materials, some universities may also require students to have their submitted gaokao scores certified.
Additionally, for language proficiency, IELTS 6.5 or above, or TOEFL 90 or above, is generally required.
On the road to top universities, there are joys and tears, witnessing the dawn at four in the morning and experiencing countless silent nights. But the gaokao is not the only way out; your dreams and efforts are the key.
“The road ahead is long and arduous.” Only by holding fast to your ideals and taking one step at a time can you reach farther destinations. Whether studying domestically or abroad, the most important thing is to find the right direction and move steadily toward your goal.
We also wish everyone success in the exams, may you all receive admission offers from dream schools, and start your college life on a perfect note.
