The annual "nationwide Gaokao" has finally come to an end.
Unsurprisingly, the Gaokao trending topics were spot on, almost entirely as expected—"Gaokao essay", "Gaokao Chinese language", "Gaokao math", "Gaokao memories", "The first student to lose their exam admission ticket in the 2023 Gaokao"...
While Gaokao test-takers are intensely focused on their exams, netizens are enthusiastically "accompanying them online." Even college students in the middle of finals week, with CET-4 and CET-6 exams next week, would still scroll through Gaokao trending topics before their 8 a.m. classes.
Moreover, students who just finished the 2022 Gaokao were "heartbroken" after seeing this year's essays: Only the class of 2022 got hurt this badly...
Of course, this year's candidate numbers once again hit a record high, with 12.91 million students nationwide heading to the exam halls to strive for their dreams.
Compared to last year's 11.93 million, there are nearly 1 million more candidates. As an observer, one might still find some amusement amid the serious atmosphere, but the actual test-takers probably don't have the leisure to care. The brutal competition of "thousands of troops crossing a single log bridge" is imaginable.
Though the Gaokao is a path, it is by no means the only choice! Life after Gaokao can be a "dual-track" approach. Facing the fiercely competitive Gaokao environment, how can you switch tracks after the exam and continue your education at your desired university through overseas study!
US Schools That Directly Accept Gaokao Scores
Compared to other countries, the US has relatively few universities that explicitly accept Chinese Gaokao scores, but Ivy League Brown University and Top 30 NYU have both announced acceptance of Gaokao results.
Brown University
Brown University is a world-renowned private research university, founded in 1764 and one of the eight Ivy League schools in the US.
Brown has always maintained a small, elite-style education, with strong programs in economics, computer science, engineering, biology, neuroscience, mathematics, etc., and its academic strength is top-tier.
Regarding Gaokao scores, Brown states that in addition to TOEFL/IELTS scores, if a student attends a regular high school rather than an international school, they must provide their "Gaokao score." Brown also requires applicants to submit predicted scores at the time of application and to submit final Gaokao scores before enrollment. If unable to submit, the applicant and their high school must provide a written explanation.
At the same time, it is recommended that applicants take SAT, AP, and other exams to demonstrate academic ability and increase the chance of admission success.
New York University
As a "New Ivy," NYU is not only one of the largest private universities in the US but also enjoys natural employment advantages being located in the heart of New York City.
Regarding Gaokao scores, NYU considers that SAT/ACT and IB scores are not the "only" ways to meet standardized testing requirements.
Chinese students need to submit their high school grades when applying, and after admission, they must submit Gaokao scores, high school transcripts for three years, and proof of high school graduation through their school.
Unless otherwise stated, all materials and documents must be sent from the school or other official institutions, and all non-English documents must be accompanied by an official English translation and certification before submission.
USNGE International Student-Friendly Universities Accepting 2023 Gaokao Scores for Admission:
Community College to UC Transfer: Path to a US Bachelor's
In addition to the above methods of using Gaokao scores to apply directly to US universities, using community college as a stepping stone to your dream school is also a viable study-abroad route.
As the best public university system in the world, the University of California is highly popular among many Chinese international students and local American students. Most people think of direct freshman admission after high school, but that is not the only channel to enter the UC system.
The often-overlooked community college is also a great choice for transferring into a prestigious UC campus. Especially after the University of California officially announced last year that undergraduate admissions would no longer consider SAT and ACT scores, more and more students are starting to include UC in their college lists.
Applying directly to UC from high school is bound to become even more competitive, and requirements for applicants' backgrounds will also be more stringent. According to data, freshman admission rates are getting lower every year.
UC Berkeley Freshman vs Transfer Admission Rates
UC San Diego Freshman vs Transfer Admission Rates
On the other hand, UC transfer admission rates are considerably better compared to freshman rates. 20% of UC students are admitted through community college transfer applications, with over 10,000 students admitted annually from California community colleges alone.
So for students targeting UC but with a less competitive background just after Gaokao, using community college as a "curve-saving" path is now a better choice.
Latest Detailed Interpretation of UC TAG Transfer Program Click the image below to read
Complete Guide to Transferring from Community College to the UC System! Click the image below to read
Undergraduate Transfer to Reach Top Schools
For the vast majority of students, within China's Gaokao system where "one exam determines your entire life," transferring universities seems like an impossibility. Even if you realize your major is unsuitable after entering university, you're stuck on that one track.
In the US higher education system, however, transfer is a regular undergraduate admission pathway with a certain universality. Many international students come to the US through international transfer to receive relatively better higher education.
US undergraduate universities also accept transfer applications from domestic Chinese university students, though the requirements faced by Chinese university students are higher than those for other types of applicants.
Thus, not only do you need to maintain a high GPA in your freshman year, but Chinese university students generally need to provide TOEFL scores + SAT scores + WES certification, and you will also lose more credits in the transfer. Other aspects are basically consistent with transfers between US four-year universities.
Additionally, it's not that students from non-985/211 universities have no chance to transfer to very good schools. There are some US schools that are very transfer-friendly, such as UMich, USC, MSU, OSU, etc. Schools outside the top 30 generally have lower requirements for applicants' conditions than freshman admissions, which is why transferring is easier than freshman admission at many US universities.
In our later lives, we will recall that Gaokao period countless times: the blackboard at the back of the senior high classroom covered with test papers, the countless moments of breakdown from solving problems, or every PE class unconditionally taken over by core subjects...
Of course, the path to success inevitably has laughter and tears, but the Gaokao is not the only way out; your dreams and efforts are what matter. If you're satisfied with your Gaokao results, that's wonderful, but if you didn't meet your expectations, you still need to walk the road ahead well.
In the future, whether you study domestically or abroad, the most important thing is to find your direction in learning and move step by step toward your goals.
We also wish everyone success in their exams, that you all receive admission letters from your dream schools, and start your university life successfully.
