Postgraduate entrance examination is a choice for many college students in order to improve their academic qualifications, expand employment opportunities, and realize their personal value. However, the road to graduate school is not an easy one. In addition to the stressful preparation and fierce competition, there are also various policy changes and difficult situations to deal with. Recently, a number of colleges and universities have issued notices to set up a series of new "obstacles" for the incoming 24 graduate students, including not providing accommodation, tuition fee increases, and scholarship reductions. These notices have sparked heated discussions among graduate students and parents, with some beginning to doubt the value of the graduate school entrance examination, some worrying about the financial burden of the graduate school entrance examination, and some calling on the education department to pay attention and provide support. So, what are the challenges for next year's graduate students? What are the reasons for these notices? How should graduate students and parents deal with these dilemmas?
First of all, according to online data, many colleges and universities have issued notices about the admission of the 24th batch of graduate students. These notices include the following:
Accommodation issues
Some universities have indicated that due to the limited number of beds, they cannot provide accommodation services for all new students, and can only give priority to academic master's and doctoral students. Professional masters, on the other hand, need to solve the accommodation problem on their own. This means that candidates who choose a master's degree will need to pay for their own accommodation and risk.
Tuition fees are rising
Some colleges and universities have announced tuition adjustments for certain majors or graduate school types, ranging from a few thousand yuan to tens of thousands of yuan. For example, the tuition fee for computer science majors at Shanghai Jiao Tong University has risen to 120,000 yuan, and artificial intelligence majors are about 150,000 yuan.
Scholarships are reduced
Due to financial constraints, some colleges and universities plan to adjust scholarships for graduate students in certain majors or types, and reduce or cancel some awards or amounts. Graduate students at Zhejiang University reported that although tuition fees have risen, scholarships have not increased correspondingly, but have decreased.
These "roadblocks" have undoubtedly brought great distress and pressure to next year's graduate students. Not only do they need to face the challenges of learning and life, but they also need to deal with higher financial pressures. Some candidates even consider giving up the postgraduate examination or dropping out. What are the reasons for these notices? Why are universities issuing these notices? What are their considerations?
The answer may include several factors:
The number of graduate students has increased
: In recent years, the number of applicants for postgraduate entrance examinations has continued to increase, from 4.57 million in 2022 to 4.74 million in 2023. Although the increase is not large, it has brought tremendous pressure to all sides.
The difference between a professional master and a master's degree
: There are two types of postgraduate examinations: professional master's and academic master's, and their training and study directions are different. For students who wish to pursue a career in research or become a university teacher, the Academic Master's degree is preferred. The professional master's degree focuses more on improving academic qualifications and is more willing to work in the society. Therefore, universities treat these two types of graduate students differently.
Reform of quality education and examination-oriented education
: The education department has been promoting the reform of quality education and test-oriented education, emphasizing the cultivation of students' core literacy and comprehensive ability, rather than just pursuing scores and academic qualifications. Therefore, graduate students are required to participate in various non-professional courses after admission to improve their overall quality and competitiveness.
So, in the face of these challenges, how should graduate students and parents respond?
Keep studying hard
: Postgraduate entrance examination is a long-term and arduous undertaking that requires unremitting efforts. Don't retreat easily, only through continuous learning and hard work can you improve your knowledge level and competitiveness and realize your dreams.
Adjust mindset and expectations
: Postgraduate entrance examinations are complex and changeable, and may not be carried out according to plan. Be adaptable and flexible and strategic, and don't be anxious or depressed. By adjusting your mindset and expectations, you can better cope with challenges and seize opportunities.
Enlist support and help
: Graduate school entrance examination is not a lonely undertaking, it requires cooperation and resources. Learn to communicate with others, enlist support and help, access information and resources, and increase confidence and motivation.
In conclusion, although next year's graduate students will face some new challenges, this does not mean that there is no value or hope for graduate school. Rather, it is an opportunity to test and bring out the potential of the individual. As long as you face problems firmly, respond positively, and persist in learning, you will be able to overcome difficulties and realize your dreams.