Yet, not all students choose such a path, one reason being financial limitations. A Rhodes scholar herself in the 1980s, Kiss believes the standards are flexible enough to take into consideration all students' circumstances, especially those in more difficult situations.

"For example, in the United States, there could be a poor student who is working in a fast-food restaurant and supporting their younger siblings. Their opportunities for extracurricular activities are different from a student from a wealthier family, who might be exposed to more organized community services," she says. "So instead of sticking to a strict standard, we strive to be thoughtful about recognizing the circumstances of each student, culturally and personally. We are looking for what they are like as humans."

A growing number of Chinese are utilizing global scholarships to pursue overseas studies and achieve their ambitions. Another notable offering is the Chevening Scholarship, provided by the UK's Foreign and Commonwealth Office and partner organizations, through which over 4,000 students have been selected to study a one-year master's course in the UK since the program made its debut in China in 1983.

Xu Jian, a 45-year-old Chevening scholar who went to University College London in 2014, says he had built a good network of talented people, put the knowledge he retained to good use in his own consulting business, and the experience has served him well since.

As the warden of one of the world's most competitive scholarships, Kiss' suggestion to parents is, interestingly, to teach them how to relax and support them to lead healthy lives.

"Too much pressure means you don't get to know yourself and don't get time to reflect. Then you will never be able to make a real difference in the world," she says.

Mao agrees with this sentiment. She believed the entire process of preparing for the materials and undergoing interviews was "helping you to really think through who you are and what makes you, you".

Kiss says she has come across a survey that suggests when you fund one scholarship, you may give impact to 26 people.

"The best investment anybody can make is an investment in the education of young people. It has a huge impact on the future."

Contact the writer at hewei@chinadaily.com.cn