Chinese Language Program Acceptance Letter

[andrewreis]

Hi Everyone (first post) [Actually I have my chinese listening exam in 1.5 hours],

I was wondering how long from the opening of applications for Tsinghua and Beijing University (16th Sep, 1st Nov resp.) will one get an acceptance letter? This is for the short term (semester long) chinese programs these universities offer. As I will actually be leaving for America then Beijing on the 22nd Dec and need to finalise with my university (for getting credits and the government for getting monetary support) before i leave, otherwise I may have to work through a proxy.

My exchange student friend from shenzhen rang up beida re: this issue and they said it books out normally in one week (the chinese short term program). But the brochures/websites say it can take 8-10 weeks for an acceptance letter [meaning end of Dec!!]. Is this just a formality? Does anyone have experiences they can share? Is it possible to ask them to send/accept faster?

Also they simply ask for grades, application form + fee, passport, reference letter(s). I assume they filter applications to some degree, at what level does one need to be at to be accepted. I have a 75 (Distinction) average and my Chinese is at an Intermediate level.

First time to China and really looking forward to it, maybe I will meet some of you applying for Beida when I am there.

[randydandy]

hi andrew,

i got my acceptance letter around 2 months after i have submitted the requirements. i made sure that the Uni will receive my application form the 1st day that they are open for application. You should check with your courier how long will it take to send docs to Beijing, so that you can send it earlier. HTH

[chinagirl14]

i got my letter 3 weeks after the deadline. it also helps to email the school if they received your application letter. the further you are from china the longer it takes. i have had friends who received their letters a good week before i did and we come from the same place. i think the universities don't reject people (maybe beijing u does seeing as they have a 800 word requirement) but as far as BLCU and tsinghua, its just a matter of postal services (whether they receive and you receive) goodluck!

[andrewreis]

Wow! Thanks for the fast replies, really helpful. I will take note to chase them up on the application.

Also, have nay of you studied at Beida before ... it says something about 'cultural trips' on Saturdays. Interesting...

Andrew

[randydandy]

imron has studied at beida before. he will be best to answer

[imron]

That was several years ago. I couldn't tell you what the program was like now, and what sort of cultural trips they run.

[randydandy]

in my tentative itinerary, we have a trip to great wall, forbidden city, tiananmen, beijing opera, acrobatic show

[andrewreis]

Any trips to Shanghai? I think the brochure for at least the 2008 short term language program mentioned (edit) a trip to Shanghai.

Update: I may now just be going through the Uni Exchange Program and sticking with Shanghai Normal University - as it would allow me to get some scholarships + rid me of a lot of administrative hurdles.

Does anyone know, relative to the CBD/centre of Shanghai, Shanghai Normal Universitys' location [the campus for learnign Chinese]? And is Shanghai better to go to [most probably a previosuly answered question with 'depends' being the answer]? For learnign Mandarin I don't want that "RRRR" tone, and I hear Shanghai is a vey modern, and generally mroe fun than Beijing. I'm looking to meeting lots of new Chinese people and go out and play on w/e's etc. Shanghai?