Chinese Students in US: Univ. of New Hampshire becomes first flagship state school to accept gaokao scores

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04:07

Chinese students make up about a third of the more than 1 million international students in the United States. Now, one American university is making the enrollment process a bit easier for them, making it the first of its kind there to do so. CGTN's Frances Kuo has more from the state of New Hampshire.

The University of New Hampshire sells itself as the "just right" school -- not too big not too small.

VICTORIA DUTCHER VP FOR ENROLLMENT MGT., UNIV. OF NEW HAMPSHIRE "I often describe UNH as the Goldilocks and the 3 Bears scenario."

But one thing the university is still striving for -- a more multi-cultural campus.

VICTORIA DUTCHER VP FOR ENROLLMENT MGT., UNIV. OF NEW HAMPSHIRE "We wanted to find a way that would give us a unique pipeline to students that not every other American and international university was utilizing."

That Pipeline is extending to students from China where a majority of the university's international students originate. For the first time, UNH will accept scores from the Gaokao -- China's notoriously difficult university entrance exam. UNH is the first flagship state school in the United States to make the move.

VICTORIA DUTCHER VP FOR ENROLLMENT MGT., UNIV. OF NEW HAMPSHIRE "China is a dominating force in the global economy, and it's important for American students and other international students to get to know students from China."

Competition is high for limited slots at top universities in China. UNH's new policy helps expand opportunities for Chinese students. Rui Sun, a student from China studying at UNH knows that all too well.

RUI SUN SOPHOMORE, UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE "The period to prepare for the gaokao is very stressful, especially the last year."

With UNH's new measure Chinese students don't have to spend extra time preparing for the typical standardized tests required for studying abroad. The change means Chinese students can enroll as early as this coming fall term -- which at UNH begins in late August.

VICTORIA DUTCHER VP FOR ENROLLMENT MGT., UNIV. OF NEW HAMPSHIRE "That puts them on a fast track."

This isn't the only way the university of New Hampshire is looking to attract more Chinese students. A feature on its website has a section in mandarin -- explaining how the admissions process works. Specialized staff are also on hand.

VICTORIA DUTCHER VP FOR ENROLLMENT MGT., UNIV. OF NEW HAMPSHIRE "We have someone in China who can talk to families about their interest in the university."

Critics have said the Gaokao is not a fair assessment of a student's academic credentials. They point to the exam's focus on rote learning rather than creativity -- which is more favored in higher education in the U.S.

VICTORIA DUTCHER VP FOR ENROLLMENT MGT., UNIV. OF NEW HAMPSHIRE "There is no one perfect predictor of academic performance so while the gaokao is an important component of the application process for these students, it's not the only thing we consider."

A handful of other universities around the world have also adopted a similar Gaokao policy. The University of San Francisco -- which is private -- was the first in the U.S. to do so. It reports the policy a success attracting top students from China whom, they say, perform well academically.

FRANCES KUO WASHINGTON DC "The university hopes that its new gaokao policy will not only benefit students from China, but the rest of the student body by bringing in new perspectives into the classroom."

UNH junior Fangzhou Xu is from Hong Kong. Xu says he's helped expose his American classmates to Chinese culture.

FANGZHOU XU JUNIOR, UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE "They care about my cultures, my habits. Sometimes we have differences and that is interesting."

It's too early to say how many more Chinese students will make the move. But the hope is that this "just right" school will be just the right "fit" for a more diverse student body.

RUI SUN SOPHOMORE, UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE "I have an opportunity to study and get closer to my dream."

FRANCES KUO, CGTN, DURHAM, NEW HAMPSHIRE.