In this year’s college admission season, many universities in China are facing an unexpected trend of students refusing their admissions offers. According to incomplete statistics, more than 50 undergraduate and vocational institutions have reported cases where new students have clearly declined to accept their admission notices, with some schools having an acceptance rate of less than 60%, sparking widespread discussions on social media.
Recently, videos and messages showing batches of admission notices going unclaimed or being returned have been circulating on platforms like Weibo and Douyin. For instance, a vocational school in southeastern Guizhou had 88 notices returned by courier in a short time; Shenzhen University of Technology had 29 new students directly refuse the offer; Guangdong Polytechnic Vocational College had 30 students giving up their admission spots; and Guangzhou School of Economics and Trade Vocational College had 16 students declining the offer, with 12 of them unreachable as their phones were off.
An education policy researcher in Beijing, Liu Dajun (pseudonym), told reporters that students refusing admission notices actually reflects a growing rationality in decision-making among students and families in the era of market-oriented education. “Today’s degrees no longer guarantee high salaries easily. Parents and students are carefully weighing the value of higher education, and this act of ‘refusal’ is their way of voting with their feet,” he explained.
Liu further elaborated that many master’s and doctoral graduates are still struggling to find ideal employment, some even resorting to jobs like food delivery for a livelihood. This harsh reality has led to a loss of confidence in higher education among young people. “New students rejecting admission notices symbolize a severe disconnect between the education system and societal demands. Without timely adjustments, more than just 50 universities may face similar challenges next year, with the number potentially increasing to hundreds,” he warned.
A Douyin user revealed in a video that despite a private college in Guangdong admitting 1,477 new students this year, many of them did not show up for registration on time. She pointed out that traditional humanities majors like history and philosophy have difficulty attracting students nationwide, while STEM majors have around 15,000 vacant spots.
The user expressed, “In the past, students rushed to universities eagerly, but now it’s the schools calling students to persuade them to enroll.” Many families are realizing that the high cost of university tuition and four years of commitment do not guarantee ideal jobs or stable income. Faced with low starting salaries after graduation, intense job competition, and the pressure of a “996” work culture, it’s not surprising that some students are seeking alternative paths.
The phenomenon of new students rejecting admission notices is not limited to ordinary or private institutions, as some “Project 211” elite universities are also feeling the impact. East China University of Technology in Shanghai recently announced that 42 new students didn’t show up on time, leading to their admission being revoked, with most of the dropout students concentrated in textile and art majors. East China Normal University also had 8 students failing to complete registration, and Beijing Technology and Business University saw as many as 102 admitting students eventually giving up their spots.
Associate Professor Deng Zhou (pseudonym) from Shandong University analyzed that the core reason for enrollment difficulties is that many universities’ program structures are lagging behind market changes. He told reporters, “The employment market’s demand for traditional majors like history, philosophy, and textile is declining. With easier access to information and a more pragmatic attitude, the collective act of refusal reflects a rejection of these outdated majors.”
Faced with numerous admission notices being returned, some universities have opted not to resend them and are treating it as students automatically forfeiting their admission status. A vocational college in Guangdong has announced it will stop the second round of sending notices; a university in Foshan issued a statement saying students who fail to contact them on time will be considered as having dropped out.
Huang Wenhuan, an education researcher from Tsinghua University, noted that current university students’ aspirations for Project 985 and 211 universities have waned, with more focusing on practical employment and life pressures. He said, “Students are not lacking effort but are carefully weighing the gap between education and reality.” He believes that China’s economic slowdown and corporate downsizing profoundly impact young people’s choices in education and employment.
Many netizens on social media have expressed the opinion that whether to accept a university offer should be the student’s autonomous decision and not be overly influenced by moral judgments. “Facing diploma devaluation and job pressures, redefining education and career paths is a rational and mature choice.” Others suggest that this phenomenon should catalyze reforms in universities, promoting practical optimization of program offerings and talent cultivation models.