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International Graduate Student Applications Drop for Second Straight Year
Council of Graduate Schools |
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The Council of Graduate Schools (CGS) is reporting a 5% decline in international graduate student applications from 2004 to 2005. |
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Washington, DC – The Council of Graduate Schools (CGS) is reporting a 5% decline in international graduate student applications from 2004 to 2005. Following last year’s 28% decline, this suggests that despite significant efforts by the federal government and by U.S. graduate schools, international interest in graduate study in the U.S. is not rebounding. "We are encouraged by the steps taken by U.S. graduate schools and the Departments of Homeland Security and State, but continued declines in applications suggest competition abroad is on the rise,” said CGS President Debra W. Stewart. The full report will be presented at a March 9th conference, “Graduate Education and American Competitiveness". In a survey of its 450 U.S. members, 60% of responding graduate schools reported declines in international graduate applications. Declines are particularly notable for students from China (-13%) and India (-9%) and students in the fields of engineering (-7%) and business (-8%). The 25 institutions with the most international student enrollment fared somewhat better – down 2% – but also do not appear to have recovered from last year’s losses. These findings are particularly relevant given CGS research that shows first-time international graduate enrollments have been declining for three consecutive years following September 11th, 2001. The three likely factors leading to declines in international graduate admissions are increased global competition, changed visa policies, and diminished perceptions of the U.S. abroad.
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