Group 1 - The core issue in education economics is whether attending university is beneficial, which influences educational decision-making [3][4][5] - There is a growing perception among students and parents in China that attending university may not be worthwhile, impacting future educational choices [4][6] - Despite efforts to expand university access, challenges remain in ensuring equitable admissions and matching students to appropriate institutions [8][9] Group 2 - The Chinese college entrance examination (Gaokao) is considered a fair system for university admissions, but the outcomes can be inequitable due to issues like "high scores but low admissions" [10][11] - Reforms have been made to the Gaokao system, such as transitioning from a sequential to a parallel application process, which has reduced the incidence of "high scores but low admissions" [13][23] - There are still disparities in admissions outcomes, particularly affecting students from disadvantaged backgrounds who may lack information and strategic guidance [14][15][16] Group 3 - The current Gaokao system rewards those with better information and strategies, which can disadvantage less informed students [15][16] - A successful system should protect ordinary students from the risks associated with a lack of understanding of the rules [16] - Many students are unaware of critical information regarding score comparisons and the implications of their choices, leading to suboptimal admissions outcomes [17][19][20] Group 4 - Potential reforms to improve fairness in admissions include adopting an "institutional major model" across all provinces, which would minimize strategic errors in applications [24][25] - The experience in different provinces shows a stark contrast in admissions processes, with some regions benefiting from more straightforward application strategies [30][31] Group 5 - The research team has been actively working to assist students from disadvantaged backgrounds in making informed choices about their university applications [33][34] - Despite initial doubts about the feasibility of their approach, the team has found that information gaps are prevalent, even in the digital age [38] - The team has developed methods to help students understand their options better, including providing data on average salaries by major, which has led to significant changes in students' choices [50][51][56] Group 6 - Strategies for filling out university applications involve understanding the competitive landscape and making informed predictions based on historical data [59][60] - The team has found that direct engagement and personalized guidance significantly improve students' chances of being admitted to their desired institutions [66][67] - The ongoing efforts include adapting to new technologies, such as AI, to enhance the guidance provided to students [76][78] Group 7 - The team aims to develop comprehensive resources to assist a larger number of students in navigating the university application process effectively [78] - There is a recognition that addressing educational challenges extends beyond university admissions to include ongoing support for students once they enter higher education [81][82] - The team is also involved in broader educational initiatives, such as addressing issues faced by medical students and improving learning outcomes in higher education [98][100]