The Information about Student Recruitment
The BCM accepts monastics across the country. All new students are required to have a schooling of the middle school, high school, university or an equivalent in order to enroll in the three courses of the college. They should also be in line with the college's other admission requirements and qualified by an entrance examination before enrolment. Furthermore, a book of Revision Guidelines for Entrance Examinations on the subjects of Chinese, Buddhism, English, Politics, History and Geography for applicants aiming to attend the foundation and undergraduate courses has been was provided since 2001 in order to help the candidates prepare for the entrance examinations.
A. The Enrollment Date
Since its re-opening in 1985, the BCM has been accepting students for both the Foundation and undergraduate Courses every other year. The registration (for examination) period is normally from March 1st to May 30th of the second year. The regularized Postgraduate Course started in 1999, and the candidates are usually recruited every three years, and registration days run between March and early June in the third year.
B. The Ways of Enrollment
The recruitment events are done by means of advertising in the Media or sending recruitment brochures to various Buddhist temples. Candidates can actively make application themselves or with their masters' help for the College's entrance examination. They are selected on many conditions of which a crucial one is to pass an entrance examination and an interview.
C. The Requirements of Enrollment for Different Courses
Foundation Course: Candidates should at least have the educational qualification of the Middle School.
Undergraduate Course: Candidates should at least be graduates of the High School (or an equivalent such as a graduation certificate from an Intermediate Buddhist College/school.
Postgraduate Course: a) any graduates with a bachelor's degree from the BCM; b) graduates with a bachelor's degree from other Buddhist colleges of the similar level; c) graduates with a bachelor's degree from non-Buddhist universities or colleges and be able to do Buddhist research (Papers or works published may be presented together with his/her registration for examination).
D. The Basic Application Requirements
a. Letters of recommendation from both his/her home temple and the local Buddhist Association are required.
b. Candidates should be a monastic no less than a year, aged between 18 to 35 years old, with no marriage or love relationship and with a determination for studying Buddhism.
c. Candidates should be clear of any criminal records including a clean background and deeply respect for the Triple Gem (i.e. the Buddha, the Dharma and the Saṅgha), have a pious faith, love his/her own country and Buddhism, have good morality and academic performance, believe in causality, strictly obey disciplinary rules and be able to recite the morning and the evening chanting.
d. Candidates should be physically and mentally healthy, with full six sense organs, without any disability (including invisible diseases), contagious disease and mental illness or bad habits. They should also be able to live a monastic life and observe laws and the monastic rules.
e. Those meeting above the requirements with a keen interest to attend the college, regardless of nationality, are warmly welcome to apply or register for the entrance examinations.
E. Dates for the Entrance Examinations
The entrance examinations for both the Foundation Course and the Undergraduate Course are generally held normally at the end of June and generally last for three days. For instance, the Entrance Examinations in 2011 was from June 27th to 29th. The examinations for the Postgraduate Course are generally held at the end of June and last for two days.
F. Entrance Examination Subjects
a. Examination Subjects for Both the Foundation Course and the Undergraduate Course
The written examinations: Buddhism, politics, Chinese, history (China and the World) and English.
The interview: test on the morning and the evening chanting, manner, etc.
b. Examination Subjects for the Postgraduate Course
The written examination: Buddhism, Chinese and English.
The interview: Questions regarding one's selected majors, manner, etc.