This year has seen a notable increase in applicants for a “basic disciplines” program across China’s 39 top universities, coinciding with expanded enrollments. Introduced four years ago to nurture talent essential for China’s strategic advancements in math, the sciences, philosophy, history and engineering, these courses demand exceptional performance in both the national college entrance examinations and university-specific entrance exams. The latter are conducted prior to the release of national results to ensure fairness and equal opportunity in admissions. Emphasizing a genuine passion for basic disciplines, a face-to-face interview is crucial to the selection process. Meanwhile, educational experts advocate for universities to strike a balance between mandatory courses and fostering self-driven learning. They also propose avoiding limitations on students’ choices, recognizing that some may be exceptionally qualified and could benefit from diverse academic environments to fully realize their potential.
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