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Unique admission letters reflect schools' character

By Luo Wangshu in Beijing and Bao Wanxian in Tianjin (China Daily) Updated: 2014-08-25 02:11

Unique admission letters reflect schools' character

A graduate of Handan No 1 Middle School in Hebei province shows her admission letter from Tsinghua University in July. [Hao Qunying for China Daily]

Wang Yiwa was thrilled to receive her college admission letter from Nankai University in July. That wasn't just because the letter confirmed her admission. The letter itself caught her attention.

At a glance 

Inside the offer packets

Peking University: In addition to ordinary materials, including greeting letters and new-student guidance, incoming freshmen receive a computer game designed by current students to introduce the possibilities of PKU life.

Fudan University: A comic design with a school map hand-painted by current students is provided.

Shaanxi Normal University: Senior professors spent nearly two weeks writing admission letters in calligraphy.

Xi'an Jiaotong University: Students can complete registration through an app called Mobile Jiaotong University. All they need to do is go to the university and show an ID card and cellphone.

Beijing Forestry University: Leaf samples are attached to each admission letter, symbolizing each student's uniqueness.

Overseas universities' new-student packages

University of Pennsylvania: New-student guidance, a welcome letter signed by school deans, a school map, association fliers and welcome letters are provided.

Purdue University: A welcome letter, admission letter, student guidance, and university fliers and stickers are included.

—Luo Wangshu

"The letter Nankai sent me includes a list of recommended books to read," the 18-year-old said. This meant she could start reading the recommended literature during her summer vacation, but she also treasures the letter's format and design.

Nankai is one of many universities to distribute unique admission and offer letters, designed to reflect the character of the institution.

Renmin University of China sends out letters in calligraphy with the motto "Seeking Truth" high on the document.

Shaanxi Normal University invites its professors to hand write admission letters in calligraphy, and both Beijing Forestry University and Fudan University send friendly comic-style letters.

Some notifications are even going high-tech.

Xi'an Jiaotong University offers an app called the "Mobile Jiaotong University", which allows students to complete their registration with an ID card and mobile phone.

Admission letters used to be simple affairs on thin paper.

Chen Changwen, a professor at Sichuan University, received his offer letter from the same university in 1978.

There was only one sentence on the document, which was more like a notice than an admission letter, Chen said.

Some colleges are also sending out packages that include debit and phone cards.

Renmin University of China letters have been designed by a group of specialists that includes faculty members and students. According to Shen Xiaochun, the lead designer, the offer letter demonstrates the university's history and also represents the college's characteristics at a time of rapid economic development.

Chen Hong, a literature professor at Nankai University, drew up the list of recommended books. Classical Chinese literature, including the Analects of Confucius, Three Hundred Tang Poems and A Dream of Red Mansions, plus some foreign literature are included.

"The list centers on basic Chinese culture, which is useful for all the majors of college students," Chen said.

Sun Zhongqi, a new student of history at Nankai University, said the list of books helped him understand the school motto to be dedicated and competent.

"I read Romance of the Three Kingdoms, which taught me traditional values and gave me inspiration," Sun said.

"The calligraphy on the admission letter is wonderful," said Li Shengrong, a student at Renmin in Beijing.

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