NYU Shanghai hosts potential pupils (2)

The university was not designed for the faint of heart, said John Sexton, president of New York University. "It will challenge you to the max, and you should be able to question the existing knowledge so as to be ready to create the knowledge of tomorrow," he said.

A prospective student surnamed Wang said after the session that she was interested in giving the university a shot.

"The concepts of challenging authority and critical thinking that the president mentioned appeal to me," Wang told the Global Times. "In my high school, teachers usually do not encourage us to do so. Maybe teachers are afraid to be challenged. They can get angry or impatient when students do so."

This year's applicants must finish their online applications on the NYU Shanghai website before January 15, 2013, Yu said. The university will select a group of candidates for further evaluation at an open house at the end of January.

"Students will participate in various activities on that day, such as speech and debate. Teachers will evaluate them on every aspect. There is nothing you can prepare in advance except your English, as all of the courses will be taught in English," said Li Mei, vice president of NYU Shanghai.