Hundreds of high school students and parents visited the 2007 overseas universities enrollment information session in Shanghai on Saturday.

Seven universities including San Francisco State University and University College London tried to attract Chinese students with discounted medical services and security packages.

Nonetheless, an overseas education now seems to be only one option for many parents.

"First-rate domestic universities such as Qinghua and Fudan are still top choices for my daughter," said Qin Zhonghua, a father from Zhejiang Province." But we cannot place all our hopes on those schools."

Qin, who checked an institute in Singapore, added that foreign universities would be a good choice only if her daughter is granted admission to a second-tier domestic university.

Many parents prefer keeping children here for undergraduate degrees, said Frank Wang, senior analyst with Can-Zhong Education, an agency for studying in Canada.

"China's growing education resources have entitled many less competitive children, who once had to seek a spot in foreign universities, to an equal opportunity here," said Wang.