Is being able to solve formulas in academic math, or write fabulous essays without a single grammatical mistake, the most important thing in life? Some students my age trying to get into Harvard University might say, "Of course, it is."
A recent article described a certain type of cram school that will be built worldwide, including in Tokyo. It is designed for "super elite" students vying for the world's top institutions such as Harvard. From my perspective, it's as though some cram schools and universities are saying that knowledge is the only thing by which the value of a person can be measured.
The new cram schools will cost ¥1.5 million to ¥3 million per student per 150-minute class (students will spend about 240 hours a year in class). The cram schools also plan video conferences in which current Harvard students give advice to Japanese students seeking admission to elite universities.
In Japan, entrance exams under the Admissions Office system have become popular. Although this system measures knowledge, it relies mostly on a student's attitude and mentality. "Self-recommendation" is another system that focuses on students themselves, concentrating on their personality. About 44 percent of high school students in Japan now use the new exam systems, which offer all kinds of students the chance to continue education.
Albert Einstein said: "The imagination is more important than knowledge. There is a limit in knowledge. The imagination enfolds the world." How many students at Harvard University truly understand this?
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