A female college student is examined at Shiguang Cosmetic Surgery Hospital in Shanghai.

"Once the operation is done I will be more confident, which is key for a successful job interview," she said. "I always want to wear bikini at the beach. I'm so happy."

Many students also want to copy their favorite celebrities, said Zhong at Guangmei Hospital.

Many parents, too, are now very open-minded and believe surgery can increase their children's confidence in a competitive job market, said a psychologist surnamed Weng at Shenzhen Kangning Hospital.

Young men are no longer shy in the practice either and account for 10 percent of the clients at Shenzhen Sun Hospital alone.

However, human resources experts question the mentality. Zhang Hui, director of Peking University's graduate employment instruction center, said better looks do not guarantee better jobs, which should be earned by education and working ability.

Despite experts' objections, though, many top hospitals are now packed with students.

Beijing Air Force 466 Hospital has received more than 200 students for cosmetic surgery since mid-June, a 24 percent increase compared with the same period last year, qianlong.com reported.

China-Japan Friendship Hospital in Beijing has also seen more than 10 students a day at its orthopedics department this summer, while during normal days there were hardly any clients, said Ma Haihuan, director of the department.

He said the most common operations are for double eyelids and nose jobs, but breast implants and laser treatments are also gaining popularity.

The desire for surgery among lower age groups is another trend, added Ma.

"Five years ago, groups of students from top fine arts colleges came to me for plastic surgery, while nowadays my office is still packed but with high school children looking to enroll in top fine arts colleges," he said.

Some students, however, are becoming more rational when it comes to surgery.

"They don't bring stars' pictures and tell me they want the same nose," said Ma. "Instead they do research on what shape fits them best."

The popularity of cosmetic surgery indicates enhanced aesthetic concepts and people's belief in the opportunities, wealth and love brought by beauty, said Zhao Wei, a professor of education at Shenzhen University.

Some students, however, go under the knife at a very young age because of deceptive promotions by some hospitals, he warned, adding that parents should provide more guidance.