"Double first-class" college students take the postgraduate entrance examination but target "double non" colleges and universities: What is the "reverse postgraduate entrance examination" like?
Half-month talks with reporters Tanaka Quan Wan Pengqi
The postgraduate entrance examination has always been a "people go to higher places", but in recent years a controversial phenomenon has emerged - the "reverse postgraduate entrance examination". Banyuetan reporters found that more and more candidates are admitted to graduate school from " dual first-class " colleges with higher general recognition rankings and better reputations to " dual non-" colleges with weaker comprehensive evaluations.
"Reverse postgraduate entrance examination" may become a trend
Wuhan University of Science and Technology The school's 2022 graduate student enrollment data released not long ago show that there are 3,188 new graduate students in the 2022 class, and 159 freshmen from "double first-class" universities are from 64 universities, distributed in 18 colleges. Among them, eight freshmen who applied for Wuhan University of Science and Technology as their first choice came from Tongji University , Huazhong University of Science and Technology , Wuhan University , Chongqing University , Sun Yat-sen University and other universities.
In addition, Shenzhen University data shows that the school will enroll a total of 5,006 master's students in 2022, and the proportion of students from "double first-class" universities will reach 41%. There are many students from Peking University, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Zhejiang University and Nanjing University. Kunming University of Science and Technology Among the 2022 new master's degree students, 92 are from Peking University, Shandong University , Sun Yat-sen University, Central South University , etc. Among the new graduate students of 2022 at Shanghai University of Technology, 14 are from the "985 Engineering " college and 48 are from the "211 Engineering " college, accounting for 5.8% in total.
College students are preparing for the postgraduate entrance examination
Half-month talk The reporter learned from interviews that many college students from "double first-class" colleges and universities studying in Shanghai, Wuhan and other places who are preparing for the 2023 national master's degree entrance examination have set their goals in ordinary colleges and universities. They all said that the phenomenon of "reverse postgraduate entrance examination" is common among postgraduate entrance examination groups and has even become a trend.
A variety of factors lead to
A reporter from Banyuetan found that the "reverse postgraduate entrance examination" is mostly a choice made by candidates after careful consideration of many factors such as the postgraduate entrance examination situation, professional disciplines, region, and family.
——The number of people taking the postgraduate entrance examination continues to increase, and the "reverse postgraduate entrance examination" ensures "admission". Data shows that in recent years, the number of people taking the postgraduate entrance examination has shown an increasing trend year by year: 3.41 million people took the postgraduate entrance examination in 2020, 3.77 million in 2021, and 4.57 million in 2022. It is predicted that the number of people taking the postgraduate entrance examination in 2023 will exceed 5.2 million.
Tian Youyi, a professor at the School of Education of Central China Normal University, said that many popular majors in "double first-class" universities, such as computer and finance, have become a "fighting ground" for postgraduate entrance examinations and postgraduate entrance examinations. Therefore, choosing "double non" is a tactic to reduce the cost of postgraduate entrance examination and increase the landing rate. This low-risk, cost-effective choice will not erase their undergraduate background from a prestigious university. If gold plating is not possible, "silver plating" is also a good choice.
——Priority is given to characteristic disciplines, and “double-African” colleges have more advantages. Many interviewed experts and candidates said that many “Double-African” colleges have strong advantages in certain professional subjects, and some “Double-First-Class” college candidates consider their development prospects and actively choose the advantageous subjects of “Double-African” colleges.
Wang Zheng, a 2022 graduate student at Wuhan University of Science and Technology who graduated from a "double first-class" university, told Banyuetaan reporters that Wuhan University of Science and Technology's resources and environment major is a strong major at the school, and the school's National Key Laboratory of Environmental Protection, Mining and Metallurgical Resource Utilization and Pollution Control has strong scientific research capabilities and has undertaken many major academic projects, so he chose to study at the school for graduate school.
"For me, the professional scientific research strength of the target institution is more important than the school's reputation." Wang Zheng said that although "double first-class" universities have a strong halo effect, thanks to the development of distinctive majors in higher education institutions, "double non-first-class" universities have irreplaceable advantages in some subdivided professional disciplines.
Students are nervously preparing for the exam
Tian Youyi also said that first-class universities do not mean that all subjects and majors are first-class. Some "double-non" universities are outstanding in a certain subject or major.Taking education as an example, in the fourth round of subject evaluation, Shanghai Normal University received a B+ rating, much higher than some "double first-class" universities.
——Geography, family and other factors cause candidates to "reverse the postgraduate entrance examination". Many candidates consider factors such as region and family when applying based on their own circumstances. For example, some candidates hope to study and find employment in more economically developed areas, while others prefer to stay closer to home.
In addition, in order to improve the quality of students, some "double-first-class" colleges and universities have increased rewards for candidates from "double-first-class" colleges and universities who apply for their own schools, and have also attracted some candidates to "reverse postgraduate entrance examinations"; others have "double-first-class" colleges and universities. Candidates from "first-class" colleges and universities have unsatisfactory initial test results and are forced to transfer to "double-non" colleges because of their eagerness to study for postgraduate studies; there are also a few candidates from "double-first-class" colleges and universities, because they do not want to step out of the "ivory tower" and choose "double-non" colleges and universities that are relatively easy to get into.
Emphasis should be placed on ability rather than school
Some voices believe that "reverse postgraduate entrance examination" is a self-indulgent act, but many candidates said that "it is enough if they feel it is worthwhile." "The 'reverse postgraduate entrance examination' is to find another way to reach your goals."
Relevant experts said that candidates who choose "double-non" colleges and universities objectively separate the relationship between the school they attend and their personal abilities, which helps to break the theory of meritocracy. Moreover, the flow between "double first-class" universities and "double non-first-class" universities will bring certain positive effects. Two-way exchanges between institutions will promote the flow of new ideas and new perspectives, and have a positive effect on academic innovation.
Wang Chuanyi, associate professor at Tsinghua University’s Graduate School of Education, said that different types of universities have different positioning, characteristics and advantages and should take off their “colored glasses” to view this phenomenon.
In addition, in order to attract attention, some online media and postgraduate entrance examination institutions deliberately amplify and hide some facts, over-interpret the "reverse postgraduate entrance examination" behavior, and take the opportunity to build momentum, sell anxiety, and obtain profits.
Tian Youyi believes that not looking at the "reverse postgraduate entrance examination" comprehensively and objectively will label universities with status, which will not only intensify the evaluation orientation of only academic qualifications and prestigious schools, but also affect the equal competition between schools and have a negative impact on the enrollment work of "double-non" universities. Students should be guided to plan their personal academic development by improving their abilities rather than improving their academic qualifications.
Wang Chuanyi believes that at the postgraduate education stage, the compatibility of personal interests and majors and the effectiveness of mentor guidance are important factors in determining career development, and their importance far exceeds the so-called school rankings. In addition, popular subjects such as economics and management are currently facing fierce competition for postgraduate entrance examinations, but highly sophisticated and cutting-edge subjects related to major national strategies are often left in the cold, making it difficult to pass on unpopular and unique knowledge. Candidates should pay attention to the majors and tutors they apply for, and integrate their personal studies into the great cause of national rejuvenation, so that they can grow personally and benefit the country.
(Published in "Ban Yue Tan" Issue 23, 2022)
