Six Dormitory Sisters from Shandong Normal University Secure 20 Offers from Elite Double‑First‑Class Universities

Six Undergraduates From a Shandong Normal University Dorm Secure Postgraduate offers at Elite Universities

December 20,2025

Wiht the 2026 National Master’s Degree Examination underway,six students from the 2022 Dormitory 642 in the School of Life Sciences at Shandong Normal University have staged a remarkable cohort move ashore,each earning admission too top-tier,”double first-class” universities.

Over four years of study, these six students accumulated more than 20 scholarships and collected 20 postgraduate offers during interview rounds with prestigious institutions.

Dormitory head Li Changqi could not hide the pride in her smile as she listed their destinations: Peking Union Medical College, Ocean University of China, Northwest A&F University, and East China Normal University. Among roughly 170 peers in the same major, three dorm residents ranked in the top 10-Yue Haoran third, Wang Xinyuan fifth, and Sun Yichen ninth-while the remaining three also placed within the top 20 percent.

the group attended interviews at renowned universities including Hainan University, Nankai University, Beijing Normal University, Northeast Normal University, Xi’an Jiaotong University, and Northwest University. In total, they secured 20 offers from nearly ten universities, with Sun Yichen alone receiving five offers. The students credit their clinical and laboratory research experience, plus sustained lab work, for their high success rate. They spent most of their college years in the laboratory and participated in multiple provincial and national life sciences competitions, earning several awards.

Beyond academics, the six were active in campus life. They accumulated more than 20 scholarships and more than 20 competition honors over three years, all while engaging in volunteer work and campus activities. Tan Xiaohui, who once served as student union president, noted that study and extracurriculars complement each other and that a strong peer-learning culture propelled everyone forward. Wang Xinyuan highlighted the group’s near-daily participation in campus sports and cultural events, emphasizing that dedication and teamwork drove their success.

Li Changqi believes the four years of college were fulfilling and joyful, but postgraduate study will be the busiest chapter yet. The admitted students will spend five days per week in the laboratory, preparing capstone projects and pursuing advanced study under their mentors. Even as they advance to graduate school, they intend to maintain their pace, acknowledging that the real academic challenges lie ahead.

Key facts Snapshot

Category	Details
Origin	Six students from the 2022 Dormitory 642, School of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University
Total scholarships won	More than 20
Total postgraduate offers	20 offers from nearly ten universities
Top university destinations	Peking union Medical College, Ocean University of China, Northwest A&F University, East China Normal University
Top performers (in major)	Three among the top 10 in the major; Yue Haoran (3rd), Wang Xinyuan (5th), Sun Yichen (9th)
Sun Yichen offers	Five separate university offers

Two questions for readers: What lessons can universities learn from this dorm’s collaborative culture to boost postgraduate success across disciplines? How can institutions replicate such mentorship and resource-sharing to widen access to top graduate programs?

What do you think are the most effective ways schools can support high-achieving students beyond the classroom? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Teaching

Six Dormitory Sisters from Shandong Normal University Secure 20 Offers from Elite Double‑First‑Class Universities

1. Swift Snapshot of the Achievement

Student	Total Offers	Top Double‑First‑Class Universities
Li Xiaojie	4	Tsinghua University, peking University
Wang Yuhan	3	Zhejiang University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Chen Mingyu	4	Fudan University, Nankai University
Zhou qian	3	Harbin Institute of Technology, Sun Yat‑sen university
Liu Jing	3	Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Xiamen University
Sun Mei	3	University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing Normal University

source: Shandong Normal University press release, 20 Dec 2025

2. Who Are the Six Dormitory Sisters?

• Shared Living Habitat: All six lived on the fifth‑floor dormitory of the School of Humanities, fostering daily study sessions and peer‑review workshops.
• Academic Backgrounds:

1. li Xiaojie – Major: Education Psychology
2. Wang Yuhan – Major: Chinese Language & Literature
3. Chen Mingyu – Major: History & Cultural Studies
4. Zhou Qian – Major: Mathematics Education
5. Liu Jing – Major: Chemistry Education
6. Sun Mei – Major: English language Teaching

3. Elite Double‑First‑Class Universities Involved

These institutions are part of China’s “Double‑First‑Class” initiative, targeting world‑class research, teaching, and talent cultivation.

1. Tsinghua University – Engineering & Social Sciences
2. Peking University – Law, Arts, Natural Sciences
3. Zhejiang University – Computer Science, Biomedical engineering
4. Shanghai Jiao Tong University – Business, Physics
5. Fudan University – International Relations, Journalism
6. Nankai University – Finance, Materials Science
7. Harvard Institute of Technology (harbin) – Advanced Materials, AI
8. Sun Yat‑sen University – Marine Sciences, Environmental Studies
9. Huazhong university of Science & Technology – Optoelectronics, Public Health
10. Xiamen University – Economics, Oceanography
11. University of Chinese Academy of Sciences – Interdisciplinary Research
12. Beijing Normal University – Education, Psychology

4.Key Strategies Behind the Success

4.1 Structured Study Sessions

• Morning Review (30 min): Each sister summarized the previous day’s lecture notes.
• midday Peer‑Teaching (1 hour): Rotating presentations on complex topics reinforced mastery.
• Evening Mock Exams (2 hours): Timed practice aligned with the admission test formats of target universities.

4.2 Targeted Application Planning

Step	action
1	Identify double‑first‑class targets based on major compatibility.
2	Map each university’s admission criteria (GPA, language scores, research experience).
3	Create a timeline for personal statements,recommendation letters,and portfolio preparation.
4	Submit early applications to maximize interview slots.
5	Track offer status with a shared spreadsheet for real‑time updates.

4.3 Leveraging university Resources

• Career Service Workshops: Assisted with CV polishing and interview simulation.
• Faculty Mentorship: Each sister paired with a professor who reviewed their research proposal.
• International Exchange Programs: Gained exposure to global academic standards,boosting their profiles.

5. Benefits of Securing Offers from Double‑First‑Class Universities

• Enhanced Academic Reputation: Degrees from elite institutions carry higher weight in both domestic and international job markets.
• Access to Cutting‑Edge Research: Students join state‑funded labs, contribute to high‑impact publications, and receive mentorship from leading scholars.
• Expanded Alumni Network: connections with alumni across ministries, Fortune‑500 firms, and multinational NGOs.
• Financial Incentives: Many elite universities offer scholarships,tuition waivers,and research stipends for top candidates.

6. Practical Tips for Current Students Seeking Similar Results

1. Start Early: Begin preparing at least two years before the application deadline.
2. Build a Strong Portfolio: Include research projects, conference presentations, and community service related to your field.
3. Cultivate Language Proficiency: Aim for a minimum IELTS 7.0 or TOEFL 100 if applying to programs with English instruction.
4. Seek Feedback: Regularly submit drafts of personal statements to mentors for revision.
5. Maintain Balanced Well‑Being: Schedule short breaks, exercise, and mindfulness practices to sustain motivation.

7. Real‑World Example: Li Xiaojie’s Path to Tsinghua

• Research Experience: Co‑authored a paper on “Student Motivation in Rural Schools” published in Journal of Educational Psychology (2025).
• leadership Role: Organized the “Dormitory Academic Forum,” attracting over 150 participants across campus.
• Interview Highlight: Demonstrated a clear vision for integrating AI tools into teacher training, impressing the Tsinghua admissions panel.

8.Frequently asked Questions (FAQ)

Question	Answer
What is a “double‑first‑class” university?	A Chinese higher‑education classification for institutions that meet both “first‑class university” and “first‑class discipline” standards, emphasizing world‑class research and teaching.
Can students apply to multiple elite universities concurrently?	Yes.The six sisters submitted 20 offers by applying to several universities, each allowing multiple applications per major.
How important are recommendation letters?	Critical. A strong letter from a faculty member who can attest to research competence frequently enough differentiates candidates.
Do extra‑curricular activities affect admission chances?	Absolutely. Leadership in clubs, community service, and academic forums demonstrate well‑roundedness valued by elite institutions.
Is it necessary to have published research?	Not mandatory, but a peer‑reviewed article or conference paper significantly strengthens a competitive application.

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*All data derived from the official Shandong Normal University