In recent years, the competition for a bachelor's degree in the job market has become increasingly fierce, and many graduates are faced with the reality that it is difficult to find their dream job. In order to improve their competitiveness, more and more students choose to take the postgraduate examination to obtain a higher degree endorsement. This year's postgraduate exam registration shows that the number of applicants is lower than in previous years, which may indicate that the depreciation trend of the value of the undergraduate level in the job market is beginning to show. For most parents, graduate school has become a game for the rich, believing that only through graduate school can they get a stable job within the system. However, the reality is that more than 80% of college students still struggle to find their dream job. Therefore, taking the postgraduate examination has become an effective way to solve the employment dilemma.
This year, colleges and universities around the country have issued policies to reduce enrollment, especially 985 colleges and universities and 211 engineering colleges. According to statistics, the enrollment plan for full-time postgraduates has decreased by about 20% compared with previous years. Although the overall number of students has not decreased significantly, the number of places in the unified enrollment has been halved due to the preference for push-exempt students, which has made the competitive pressure on students even greater. For example, the enrollment of Shandong University, Jilin University, Sichuan University, Jianghan University, Hubei University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hubei University, Central China Normal University and other universities has changed to a certain extent.
In order to cultivate more technical talents who can meet the needs of society, colleges and universities around the country will further increase the proportion of students enrolled in professional and master's degrees. According to statistics, the number of postgraduates will account for about 70% of the total number in the future. In addition, the academic year system for postgraduates will also be extended to about 3 or 4 years, and the training direction will be more focused on employment. However, this also means that at the academic postgraduate level, the increase in length of study may increase the competitive pressure, and more resources may be inclined towards doctoral training and scientific research.
According to the registration of graduate students in 2023 and 2024, the tuition fees of colleges and universities around the country are further **. In particular, the tuition fees of 985 colleges and universities and 211 engineering colleges and universities have increased by an average of 6 per year30,000 yuan to 100,000 yuan. Tuition fees for popular majors and art subjects have even risen to about 100,000 yuan. In addition, some schools have abolished the living allowance and the poverty allowance for graduate students in each semester. This puts even more pressure on the average family to be unable to afford the high tuition fees. Due to the constraints of economic conditions, it is more difficult for rural students to adapt to this situation of tuition fees, which may increase the difficulty of rural students applying for graduate school.
There have been some new changes in this year's graduate exams, which have caused confusion and helplessness for many parents and students. With the intensification of the depreciation trend of gold content at the undergraduate level, graduate students have become a lifesaver for employment. However, factors such as the reduction of enrollment in many universities, the increase in the proportion of postgraduate, and the tuition fee have increased the difficulty and pressure of applying for graduate school. Especially for rural students whose families are in financial difficulty, the postgraduate entrance examination may not be an ideal choice. Therefore, when deciding whether to apply for graduate school, students and parents need to carefully consider their own actual situation and future career plans to make a more informed decision. Ultimately, it is important to make the most suitable choice by taking into account factors such as personal interests, abilities, career prospects, and financial conditions.