Process keeps parents on their toes

Applying for college in China is a complicated process, varying from province to province and sometimes year by year.

Unlike many overseas universities, which set admission standards for years at a time, policies in Chinese universities change constantly.

The one fixed element in the application process is the gaokao, the national entrance exam being taken by 9.42 million students this year. Exam scores are critical to placement, as each university program sets a student quota for each province and admits students accordingly, based on their scores.

Students are required to list their own preferences, perhaps choosing programs in various schools from different levels, including key national universities, provincial universities and vocational schools. The process can be daunting.

"There is a huge need for college application counseling," said Li Weifeng, an education counselor at Zhiyuanwuyou, a college application company in Beijing. "The knowledge and rules are brand new for every parent."

Students seeking admission to Tsinghua University and Peking University, the best universities in China, must pay special attention to program choice, while those who can enter national key universities, should think about which school best fits them, Li said.

The application process will become more complicated along with gaokao reform, "requiring professionals to conduct research and promote knowledge", Li said.

"Children's career planning should start from the college application, or from high school," said Li, adding that in some countries, such as Canada and the United States, some students and parents hire help for the college application in addition to entrance exams, such as SAT.

Although the need is urgent, there are not enough qualified professionals in the industry who understand big data and have a thorough understanding of programs, majors and universities, Li said.

"The number of excellent counselors who can provide scientific guidance and career planning to students is fewer," Li said.

Zhang Kesen, a 10th-grader in Zhejiang province, said she might use such a service because she's worried about her college application in two years.

"I don't know what the policy will be when I graduate and apply for college," she said.