In 2000, the method of volunteering for college entrance exams was still quite chaotic, and no unified standard had been reached nationwide.
Different provinces may have different methods.
For example, Shenghai was accustomed to volunteering before the exam.
Yanjing was continually reforming. In 1999, the Yanjing City Education Committee Examination Institute decided to try something new with post-exam estimation volunteering, but didn't want to take a big step, so they implemented an "estimate after the exam reporting."
But because of the sudden implementation of "estimate after the exam reporting," past admission situations could hardly be referenced. The results were not good, causing some candidates to "fall short despite high scores" and some to be "underemployed despite high scores," some of which were caused by inaccurate estimates.
After learning from the experience of 1999, in 2000, the Yanjing City Education Examination Institute further improved the method and simply changed it to "reporting after the scores are released."
This resulted in the admission situation that year being nearly the worst since the resumption of the college entrance exam in '77, primarily due to constant changes which left candidates without a reference point.
At this time, Zhejiang Province was implementing reporting based on estimated scores after the exam.
Once the volunteer forms were distributed, there was a two-day consideration period. Many people took the volunteer form and college brochures home to discuss decisions with their families.
"Son, how did you do on the exam?"
Both parents were at home, and as soon as Su Zelin entered the house, Su Jianjun and Zhao Lixia asked nervously.
"Not bad, there shouldn't be much of a problem getting into a second-tier university in the province."
Su Zelin said with a smile.
"That's good!"
The parents were relieved.
They didn't expect Su Zelin to suddenly make it to a top-tier university but were worried that he might do poorly and end up at a junior college instead.
"How about Shiqing?"
This was also something the parents were concerned about.
"Well, she did so-so, not ideal, but not bad either. Based on her estimated scores, she still likely has a good chance at Tsinghua or Peking, just worried she might not get into a good major. Whether she applies to Tsinghua or Peking or not, she still needs to discuss it with her parents!"
Su Zelin shrugged.
"It's okay even if she doesn't go to Tsinghua or Peking, Zhejiang University is also very good, it's in the province and close to home!"
"Yes, Shiqing is so outstanding that whichever top 985 university she chooses, she will have a bright future after graduation!"
In fact, the parents truly hoped Qin Shiqing would go to Zhejiang University, so she would be closer to their son; after all, parents have their own selfish desires.
Moreover, Zhejiang University isn't much worse off, and in subsequent years, its ranking occasionally surpassed that of Tsinghua and Peking.
"If the major at Tsinghua or Peking isn't solid, maybe Zhejiang University's flagship major would be better."
Su Jianjun pondered for a moment.
Even at the same university, there are flagship programs and less desirable ones, and the difference can be several dozen percentiles.
The saying that "it's better to be the tail of a phoenix than the head of a chicken" doesn't apply here.
Because whether it's Tsinghua, Peking, or Zhejiang University, they're all phoenixes; the difference is one is a bit bigger, and one is slightly smaller.
Some people would rather choose a slightly lesser university and take a flagship major than a less desirable major at Tsinghua or Peking.
"Yeah, Shiqing should be considering which university to apply to now, let's go see Old Qin!"
"Why are you getting involved in other people's volunteering? Besides, your own son's choices aren't even decided yet!"
He quickly stopped his parents because Su Zelin didn't want them encouraging Qin Shiqing to apply to Zhejiang University, otherwise, his carefully thought-out plans would go to waste.
"With your scores, there's not much choice among those second-tier universities in the province, just pick one with your eyes closed!"
Zhao Lixia said disdainfully.
"Exactly, can you compare with Shiqing? Her volunteering choices clearly matter more, and she needs more people to offer advice and opinion."
Su Jianjun agreed wholeheartedly.
Su Zelin: "..."
Yes, no doubt, I'm definitely their biological child!
In the end, he couldn't stop them, and Su Jianjun and Zhao Lixia, without even glancing at their own son's volunteer form, rushed over to the Qin family, leaving Su Zelin with no choice but to reluctantly follow.
Qin Shiqing's dad, Qin Daqing, and her mom, Liu Sufen, were both at home. Though summer is a peak season for business, such a big matter as their daughter's volunteering needed their attention.
"Old Su, Lixia, you're here."
The Qin family parents warmly greeted them: "How come you have time today, has Zelin chosen his volunteer options?"
"Not yet, his options aren't urgent, it's only a few second-tiers in the province anyway, no big deal."
Su Jianjun laughed: "But for Shiqing, choosing a school might not be so easy, so we came to have a look!"
"Old Qin, Sufen, Shiqing must have done well, are you planning to apply to Tsinghua or Peking?"
Zhao Lixia asked tentatively.
"Not sure yet, Shiqing's estimated score is 670. In recent years, the cutoff for Tsinghua and Peking has been around 650, so theoretically, she can get in!"
Qin Daqing hesitated for a moment before saying: "But it's hard to say for sure; one year the provincial score soared nearly to 680, and if Shiqing's score estimation is correct, she might only be able to get into a regular major!"
Qin Dad was a bit worried; if his daughter's scores were a few dozen points higher, they wouldn't hesitate over the choice, as Tsinghua or Peking would be stable and they could pick a good major.
"Yes, I remember, there was indeed a year when it soared to nearly 680. There was a student in Second High who usually scored well and was almost always at the top of the class. Just because of an erroneous estimate, they applied to Tsinghua and Peking but didn't get in, and ended up re-taking the year. Everyone in the city knew about that!"
Zhao Lixia sighed: "If only Shiqing's score could be close to 700."
"That's right, I've heard of it too!"
Liu Sufen was also starting to worry.
She didn't want her daughter to have such bad luck, delaying her youth by a year.
Su Zelin quickly added: "It's different, the cutoff for Tsinghua and Peking being so high is rare, mainly because the papers that year were easy. Our teachers said this year's difficulty is average, so the cutoff won't be exaggerated. Besides, Shiqing's estimation might be conservative, and her real score could well be 20 points higher!"
Su Zelin still remembered the local cutoff for Tsinghua and Peking that year, it was around 650.
As long as Qin Shiqing didn't overestimate, a 670 was enough to get in, just a matter of the major.
Moreover, she might have underestimated quite a bit, so Su Zelin wasn't worried she would be as unlucky as the senior from Second High.
"Kids shouldn't speak so carelessly, affecting Shiqing's volunteering is no small matter!"
Su Jianjun said earnestly.
"You little rascal, if anything goes wrong, could you bear the responsibility?"
Zhao Lixia gave her son a knock on the head, then smiled at the Qin family parents: "Sorry, Daqing, Sufen, my son doesn't understand, the choice is up to you and Shiqing, of course."
Su Zelin was helpless.
He knew the cutoff for Tsinghua and Peking that year, but nobody else did.
"If Shiqing's estimate barely reaches 700, it would of course be best to get into Tsinghua or Peking, but considering the current estimate, I think we need to be cautious. After all, even if she can get in, the major isn't guaranteed, and that's important!"
Qin Daqing pondered: "Old Su, Lixia, maybe you could give some valuable suggestions!"
Su Jianjun smiled: "Shiqing's volunteering is your family's matter, we won't give opinions. But as for our little rascal, I'm thinking about letting him attend the provincial finance college. That second-tier has policies that favor local admissions, making it more stable for Zelin's scores. Besides, the finance college has a few programs with lower tuition but require fewer marks, so even if he estimates wrong, those courses are still within reach!"
Su Dad had already planned to put in some money, just like in the past, but since Su Zelin's score estimation was decent, he might save on that cost as long as he didn't overestimate.
Zhao Lixia added: "Another reason for choosing the finance college is that Old Su and I have discussed that it's close to home, so he can come home on any holiday. It's easier to find a job after graduating from a local college, and local graduates tend to have better treatment and are less likely to be bullied."
The Su family parents resolutely refrained from giving advice to Qin Shiqing and instead analyzed their own son's situation, but their words hit home with the Qin family parents.
Going to Tsinghua or Peking would bring prestige, but what if it's not secure? Or what if she only gets into a undesirable major?
And Yanjing is so far away, would their daughter find a boyfriend and marry far away, making it hard to see her?
Could she adapt to the northern environment and climate?
A whole string of problems suddenly popped up.
Qin Daqing and Liu Sufen hesitated, realizing they had overlooked many issues.
"Yes, we really need to think this over seriously!"
Su Zelin wanted to say something, but Zhao Lixia quickly covered his mouth.
"We just came to casually have a look. After all, it's Shiqing's volunteering, so we won't meddle too much. You all should decide yourselves!"
Zhao Lixia laughed.
"Daqing, Sufen, since there's nothing else, we'll head back first."
Su Jianjun sighed: "Ah, it's still great that your Shiqing is the one having the happy trouble of volunteering, whereas our little troublemaker doesn't have options to pick from!"
"Hehe, don't say that, take care on your way!"
The parents forcefully dragged Su Zelin back.
That little rascal, truly without sense.
If Shiqing really ends up at Tsinghua or Peking, could she still be our daughter-in-law?
Even though she'd still be out of our son's league at Zhejiang University, being in the same city would still give us some hope.
...