International Graduate School Applications Down
Visa Process to Blame?
CHESTER, PA, March 24, 2004 -
GradSchools.com recently conducted a survey of prospective international students concerning the difficulties they are facing while looking to attend graduate schools in the United States. The survey revealed that the number one barrier (43.6% of total respondents) to applying to study in the United States is the cumbersome entry requirements. These findings complement recent information published by the Council of Graduate Schools that indicate that there has been a drastic decrease in the number of foreign applications to U.S. colleges and universities for the fall 2004 semester.
"The actual enrollment numbers for fall 2004 will not be known until at least the end of this year," Peter Syverson, Vice President of Research for the Council of Graduate Schools, warns, "but the results of the survey represent a clear message to educators that visa requirements are forcing students to look elsewhere. It doesn't look great, but I expect enrollment to stay consistent because of the reputation of certain schools and programs. There might not be fewer students numbers, it could just be a smaller number of applications."
Alfonsus Karli, a potential Ph.D. student in Chemical Engineering from India who responded to the GradSchools.com survey, previously studied in the United States and has concerns about his ability to return to study with the increased visa restrictions. "Before 9/11, I had not faced any problems on my application," Karli said. "However, I heard many bad stories in applying [for] U.S. visas after 9/11. I hope that my background and history during my study in [the] U.S. would be an advantage for me in applying for] U.S. visas in the future."
Jian Zhang, a student from China looking to earn a graduate degree in Electronic Engineering, echoed Karli's comments. "I didn't have [a] visa experience, but I really heard that many of the students who are older than me failed to obtain visa[s] and [it] prevented them from going to [the] U.S. Finally most of them go to Canada, Australia or Europe."
GradSchools.com, the leading online resource for graduate school information, asked prospective students several questions regarding their interest in graduate studies in the beginning of March. Prospective students living outside of the United States were asked to detail their primary country of choice for study, the obstacles they were facing during their application processes, and the countries in which they were interested in studying. They were also asked to identify their native country and what was most important when choosing a country in which to study.
The GradSchools.com survey revealed that 81.2% of respondents are considering schooling in the United States. Of these, 9.9% are also looking into schools in the United Kingdom, 12.6% in Australia, 4.6% in Canada, and 2.4% in Germany. The primary country choices for the 18.8% of respondents not considering schools in the United States are the United Kingdom (31.1%), Canada (20%), and Australia (17.8%).
Most students polled agreed that the United States would offer a greater advantage in education, but the cost of studying in America is another factor preventing students from applying to U.S. institutions. "I think I need help by one college," one respondent said. "It's really difficult for me to find the way to go, because I have no financial ability."
The application process for U.S. student visas is lengthy as well as costly. The U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs has three variations of student visa applications, and all require that proof of ability to pay for the entire duration of education be presented when applying for a visa. Students from Africa, particularly Nigeria, who responded to the GradSchools.com survey, said that funding is hard to come by in poorer countries. "I would love to study outside my native state and due to the expensive nature, I would love to be given a scholarship," one stated. Others claimed that the high costs of tuition and living would also discourage them from obtaining a visa to study in the United States.
The GradSchools.com survey revealed that 21% of the18.8% of respondents who decided against coming to the United States for graduate school claimed that the strict visa requirements were the main deciding factor. While Karli and Zhang are not a part of the 21%, they feel that the United States may be placing too much of a strain on students looking to study in the United States. "The visa did have a great impact on me. I am wondering whether to have a try or not," Zhang said. "I think it is a pity for [the] U.S. to lose so many excellent students."
International students have a long history of adding to the academic competitiveness of American universities. They participate in research, assist in teaching, and add diversity and strength to the academic environment of U.S. campuses. In the past, the world's best and brightest scholars were drawn to the United States and have significantly contributed to the U.S. system of higher education. Without these students, education leaders worry about maintaining the high level of scholarship the world has come to expect from American colleges and universities.
For the full results of the GradSchools.com survey or for more information, please contact Matt Ulmer at 484-766-9200 or email mulmer@edudirectories.com.
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