明代的翰林院秀才由前代科举中的“童子科”发展而来，专门选拔天资过人、聪敏伶俐的幼童以作储备人才。他们由地方官员或朝中大臣推荐至京，经考核通过后便可入翰林院读书学习经义和书法，在学习的同时亦需要在翰林院参与相应的书办工作，最终可直接授予官职，或选择通过科举入仕。这一制度使这些有特殊才能的幼童得以迅速成长，也为明王朝选拔出一批专精人才，但在一定程度上也造成了官场一时的滥举之风。

Scholars in the Imperial Academy of the Ming Dynasty developed from the "children's section" in the previous imperial examinations. Talented and intelligent young children were specially selected for talent reservation. They were recommended to Beijing by local officials or ministers of the central government. After passing the examination, they could study in the Imperial Academy to learn the classics and calligraphy. At the same time, they also needed to participate in the corresponding book office work in the Imperial Academy. Finally, they could be directly granted official positions or chose to become officials through the imperial examination. This system enabled these young children with special talents to develop rapidly, and also selected a group of specialized talents for the Ming Dynasty. However, to a certain extent, it also led to the abuse of officialdom.