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BEIJING - Xie Jin was offered a place at the University of Hong Kong (HKU) on a full scholarship of HK$500,000 ($64,300), but turned it down in favor of Peking University in Beijing.
Her preference was for a comprehensive higher education to suit her objectives, and didn't believe HKU could offer it.
So she chose Peking University's Guanghua School of Management, one of the top business schools in China.
"Guanghua can also offer an international study platform," Xie said. "And I prefer Peking University's cultural atmosphere.
"It has also been my dream to study at Peking University."
The 18-year-old was one of the top scorers from Guangdong, in China's south, in the 2010 Chinese National University Entrance Exam.
Some of Xie's classmates, however, did apply for HKU.
"When I asked them why, they would say 'HKU is more international'. But they couldn't say much more besides that," Xie said. "For them, being able to study in Hong Kong is fashionable."
Meanwhile, Xie's parents are doing the sums.
"The HK$500,000 scholarship offered by HKU is not as great as it sounds," said Xie Wenhua, her father.
Tuition at HKU is $HK120,000 a year, with living expenses another $HK40,000. Xie estimated he would still have to spend at least another $HK100,000 for his daughter's four-year Hong Kong education, even with the scholarship.
"If my daughter fails the academic requirements, HKU would reduce the total sum of the scholarship," said Xie. "It would place a heavy financial pressure on us."
On the other hand, tuition at Peking is only 5,000 yuan (about $780) a year, Xie said, and living expenses in Beijing are much lower.
Even with scholarships, many Chinese parents are now rationally deciding whether it is worthwhile to spend the extra money.
