Summary of the Key Points
On the eve of the college entrance examination, the Ministry of Education issued a statement calling for an end to the “arms race” in the production of admission notices by universities. The use of luxurious gift boxes and false promotional materials is strictly prohibited, with the aim of returning the notice back to its essential form of being just a single page of paper. The University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS) was the first to respond to this initiative in 2026: this year’s admission notice eliminated the expensive gifts from previous years (such as stainless steel prints and diamond crystals), opting instead for a “single-page” design. However, it added personal touches such as information handwritten by academicians and commemorative stamps from research facilities, conveying both the spirit of scientific research and the advice of predecessors. This change seeks to curb the trend of competition and restore the admission notice to its core function of simply informing students of their acceptance and conveying educational values.
Detailed Analysis
Why the Policy was Implemented: Putting an End to Excessive Glitz
In recent years, admission notices have gradually lost their original purpose, evolving from simple documents into a contest for the most luxurious packaging. For example, UCAS previously offered limited-edition stainless steel prints and school motto cards with diamond inclusions; other universities followed suit, providing customized USB drives, cultural merchandise, or even smart watches. While these gifts had educational value, they were costly and often led to a competitive atmosphere where schools tried to outdo each other in extravagance, turning the notice into a mere symbol of prestige rather than a means of conveying essential information.
UCAS’ “Single-Page” Notice: Simplicity with Substance
This year’s UCAS notice may be just one page, but it is filled with thoughtful details:
- Information Handwritten by Academicians: The names on the notices are not printed by machines but written by eight academicians and frontline researchers. The handwriting might be uneven, but each stroke represents a sincere message from the predecessors to the new students—just like a grandfather writing a letter to his grandson, much warmer than a printed message.
- Commemorative Stamps: The stamps feature the design of the water tower at the Huairou Rocket Test Base, which played a crucial role in China’s “Two Bombs, One Satellite” program. This symbolizes that the university has a rich historical legacy and encourages students to carry on the spirit of scientific research.
These elements are low-cost but far more educational than the luxurious gifts of the past, using “substance” (in the form of personal touch and historical significance) to replace mere material extravagance.
Were the Luxury Gifts of the Past Innovation or Excessive Packaging?
UCAS’ previous gifts were indeed creative: in 2020, they included a vinyl record with the sound of pulsars captured by the FAST telescope (the “heartbeat” of the universe); in 2021, a diamond crystal allowed students to experience the results of scientific research firsthand. However, these gifts had several issues:
- High Cost: They were not ordinary items; for instance, the stainless steel prints were limited editions, making them quite expensive.
- Easy Copycatting: Other universities might see UCAS’ offerings and decide to provide similarly luxurious gifts, leading to a focus on cost rather than educational value.
- Form Over Substance: Some students might simply discard these gifts without truly understanding their significance, only remembering that the university had given something expensive.
Returning to a Single Page: A Return to Educational Essence
The policy does not aim to completely ban creativity but encourages schools to reflect on what the admission notice should convey:
- Priority for Core Information: The most important message is that the student has been accepted; this should not be overshadowed by fancy packaging.
- Value of Content Over Form: UCAS’ handwritten notes and stamps convey the spirit of scientific research and the university’s heritage, representing true educational value.
- Reducing Excess: This change shifts schools’ focus from elaborate packaging to improving teaching quality. After all, students choose universities based on their academic programs, not the gifts included in the notices.
The Future Direction: Creativity Without Losing Essence
Returning to a single-page notice does not mean abandoning creativity; it means finding ways to be creative while maintaining simplicity and sincerity. For example:
- Schools can use low-cost methods such as handwritten messages or commemorative stamps.
- They could include a personal message from the president or hand-drawn cards featuring iconic university buildings.
- Avoid giving expensive gifts that serve no real educational purpose; instead, allocate funds to more meaningful initiatives like scholarships or laboratory improvements.
In summary, the essence of an admission notice is to welcome new students, not to showcase a university’s financial resources. This policy reminds us all to return to the simple purpose of using the notice to convey genuine and heartfelt messages.