NYU Shanghai widens recruitment scope to cover all mainland pupils

New York University Shanghai began accepting 2014 enrollment applications yesterday, expanding its recruitment scope to all Chinese mainland students, according to a school information session held yesterday. The country’s first Sino-US joint venture university opened in September with an enrollment of 300 students. In 2014, it will also recruit 300 students — 151 from the mainland and 149 from overseas. This year, the university recruited students from 10 provinces or municipalities, but for 2014 students from anywhere on the mainland can apply. Yesterday’s session attracted about 250 Chinese parents and high school students from across the country. The school uses an all-English teaching environment and Western-style education. The tuition fee remained unchanged at 100,000 yuan (US$16,400) per year for Chinese students and US$45,000 for international students. All students will move to the new campus on Century Avenue in the Pudong New Area next year, said Yu Lizhong, chancellor of NYU Shanghai. Wei Meng, a senior student at Dongchang High School in Pudong, said she had planned to study abroad since she was a child, but is now considering NYU Shanghai because it would save a lot of money. “I like to make friends with foreigners and I like different cultures,” Wei said. “I think NYU Shanghai is the right fit for me and it is so close to my home.” Wei said she will study abroad after finishing her undergraduate studies and NYU Shanghai would be a good springboard for her to apply for postgraduate programs overseas. Gu Rongnian, who came on behalf of her daughter, said NYU Shanghai is appealing to Shanghainese parents who want their children to be successful, but stay close to home. “We parents understand the world is changing and we should let our children go out into the world,” Gu said. “But Chinese parents find it’s hard to let go due to the one-child policy. “NYU Shanghai offers the best of both worlds — a better education than a Chinese university and less worries for local parents since their children won’t be so far away.” Applications must be submitted before January 1, 2014. Visit www.shanghai.nyu.edu for more details. The inaugural class of 300 students, including 150 international students, at NYU Shanghai now study at East China Normal University’s campus on Zhongshan Road N.