Peking / How to get in
How to Get Into Peking
International undergraduate admission at Peking University runs at roughly 15% based on 2023 figures, far more open than the domestic gaokao route but still highly competitive. Most applicants stand or fall on test scores (SAT, ACT, IB, A-Level) and HSK Chinese results; the personal statement and self-introduction video then decide between similarly qualified candidates. Here is the academic profile that keeps you in the running, what Peking weighs most, and where to put your energy.
Every college publishes how heavily it weighs each part of your application in its Common Data Set. Here is how Peking reads applicants, most important first.
- Course rigor
- Grades (GPA)
- Class rank
- Test scores
- The application essay
- Recommendation letters
- Talent or ability
- Geographic origin
- State residency
Peking requires SAT or ACT scores.
Entrance Examination route Apply Jan 1 to Feb 28 (Beijing time); written test late March · Without Written Examination, Round 1 Dec 19 to Feb 28 · Without Written Examination, Round 2 Jun 12 to Jul 10 · Application fee 800 RMB, non-refundable. Applying early (Early Action or Early Decision, where offered) can modestly improve your odds and signals commitment.
Your grades and course rigor are mostly set by now. The highest-leverage things left are your essays and how you frame your activities. Peking reads holistically, so a specific, well-told essay is where you separate yourself from other qualified applicants.
How to get into Peking: FAQ
Is Peking hard to get into?
International undergraduate admission at Peking University runs at roughly 15% based on 2023 figures, far more open than the domestic gaokao route but still highly competitive. Most applicants stand or fall on test scores (SAT, ACT, IB, A-Level) and HSK Chinese results; the personal statement and self-introduction video then decide between similarly qualified candidates. At Peking, applicants clear a high academic bar first, then stand out through essays, activities, and character.
What does Peking look for in applicants?
Peking weighs course rigor, grades (gpa), class rank, and test scores most heavily, alongside a strong academic record. The parts you most control late in the process are your essays and how you present your activities.
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