Kaplan Test Prep Survey: Most Colleges Concerned About a Decline in International Applicants Becoming a Nationwide Trend
November 07 2017 - 8:30AM
Business Wire
According to a recent Kaplan Test Prep survey of nearly 400
admissions officers from a diverse range of colleges and
universities across the United States, 63 percent are concerned
about a decline in international applicants becoming a nationwide
trend*. But while admissions officers are concerned about what the
decline would mean for higher education in general, only 32 percent
anticipate a decline in the number of international applicants to
their own schools.
College admissions officers who expressed concern about the
larger possible trend of fewer international students shared the
following anecdotes, citing both cultural and financial
reasons:
- “I think it's more of a loss for all
prospective students, not just international students. Students who
would have had the opportunity to learn from different students
with different upbringings and cultural backgrounds won’t have
this.”
- “International students provide a
different kind of atmosphere on campus. Many of our U.S.-born
students can't travel overseas, so this is a way for them to meet
others from diverse backgrounds.”
- “We survive on this program. We rely on
these students coming into the country.”
- “It’s something we worry about. We want
students to come without barriers.”
Admissions officers unconcerned about fewer international
students cited shared the following:
- “The safety of our country is more
important than international students coming to get an
education.”
- “Not concerned. I think there are a lot
of colleges who utilize international students just for full paying
tuition and not for the right reasons.”
- “A lot of the major universities have
campuses around the world. Even if there were a decline of
international students coming directly to campuses in America, any
school that has campuses outside of America will not notice a
difference because students will just go to that campus.”
- “There’s a separation between political
climate and the education system in the U.S. We don’t think one
will influence the other.”
Additionally, more than one quarter of admissions officers (28
percent) say they are concerned about their school losing American
and international students to colleges in Canada and elsewhere.
According to the Institute of International Education, a
nonprofit that promotes international education and education
access around the globe, just over 1 million international students
were studying in the United States in the 2015-2016 academic year,
a record high and seven percent increase over the previous year.
The largest sources of international students are China, India,
Saudi Arabia, South Korea, and Canada. While international students
represent just 5 percent of all students in the United States, some
top colleges and universities boast of international populations of
15 percent or higher.
“A majority of colleges are concerned that the current
environment is causing a decline in applications from international
students across the country, though interestingly, only a third
anticipate the decline happening at their own schools. Colleges
recognize that today’s political climate presents unique challenges
and are likely adjusting their recruitment strategies accordingly,”
says Yariv Alpher, Executive Director, Market Research, Kaplan Test
Prep. “But notably, there is a broad range of opinions across
schools nationwide, which represent the diversity of views that
most colleges seek to cultivate on their own campuses.”
For a short video illustrating the survey results, visit
here.
To schedule an interview about Kaplan’s survey results, please
contact Russell Schaffer at russell.schaffer@kaplan.com or
212.453.7538.
*For the 2017 survey, 392 admissions officers from of the
nation’s top national, regional and liberal arts colleges and
universities – as compiled by U.S. News & World Report — were
polled by telephone between July and August 2017.
About Kaplan Test Prep
Kaplan Test Prep (www.kaptest.com) is a premier provider of
educational and career services for individuals, schools and
businesses. Established in 1938, Kaplan is the world leader in the
test prep industry. With a comprehensive menu of online offerings
as well as a complete array of print books and digital products,
Kaplan offers preparation for more than 100 standardized tests,
including entrance exams for secondary school, college and graduate
school, as well as professional licensing exams for attorneys,
physicians and nurses. Kaplan also provides private tutoring and
graduate admissions consulting services.
Note to editors: Kaplan is a subsidiary of Graham Holdings
Company (NYSE:GHC)
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version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171107005555/en/
Press:Kaplan Test PrepRussell Schaffer,
212-453-7538russell.schaffer@kaplan.comTwitter: @KapTestNews,
@KaplanSATACT
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