Beijing, Spet. 4, 2014, — A 32-year-old man who sat 10 National College Entrance Exams since 2000 has finally enrolled in Tsinghua University, one of the top universities in China, the Beijing Times reported on Thursday.
Mr. Wu Shanliu reports to Tsinghua University.
What makes his story more dramatic is that he had refused several prestigious offers during the past fourteen years, including one from another top institute, Peking University.
Wu Shanliu from Qinzhou City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, admitted that he will be the oldest freshman there this year. “This is the most embarrassing thing in my life,” he told the media.
Wu said he had been working hard at a factory in Guangdong Province, but was ‘forced’ to pursue study to advance his career. “I want to learn new skills through study, and then find a better job. I’m not pursuing any big dreams,” he added.
Wu said that recent changes to the subjects covered by the entrance exam prompted him to accept the next offer that came along. But to study at Tsinghua was unexpected.
Tsinghua University is one of China’s most sought after universities. Among the new entrants this week was Chinese Olympic swimming star Ye Shiwen (in middle picture below), who will study in the School of Law.
The National College Entrance Exams, also known as Gaokao, is described by Chinese people as a ‘single-log bridge’ that millions of high school students try to ‘pass through’ every year. However almost one quarter of them are not able to reach their goals.
Is it worth taking over ten years to get into a top university? Netizens on social media have their opinions.
“In the past decade, if he strived for success, he would have earned a lot of money with a good job. His persistence is indeed silly.” @luanshigexing1992
“If I were a boss, I wouldn’t hire such a stubborn man although he’s from Tsinghua.” @cenmoran
“Studying in a good university means a better life in the future. This is realistic and practical. It’s far more realistic than the claims of pursuing cultural inspiration from the university. Those who say they want to study in Tsinghua for its academic atmosphere, didn’t they ever think of making more money using the fame of being a Tsinghua graduate?” @huangjingsivivian