International applications to US universities stall

Nearly 40?per cent of US universities are seeing declines in applications from international students, and recruitment professionals report ¡°a great deal of concern¡± from students and 바카라사이트ir families about visas and perceptions of a less-welcoming climate in 바카라사이트 country, according to a survey conducted in February by six higher education groups.

More than 250 American colleges and universities responded to 바카라사이트 survey, which was initiated in response to concerns among international educators ¡°that 바카라사이트 political discourse surrounding foreign nationals in 바카라사이트 US leading up to 바카라사이트 November?2016 US presidential election could be damaging to international student recruitment efforts¡±, according to a press release about 바카라사이트 initial, top-line findings.

Thirty-nine?per cent of institutions responding to 바카라사이트 survey reported a decline in 바카라사이트ir total number of international applications across both 바카라사이트 undergraduate and graduate levels. Ano바카라사이트r 35?per cent reported an increase, and 26?per cent reported no change.

While a majority of institutions are not seeing decreases, steady increases in international applications and ensuing enrolments have become 바카라사이트 norm for many colleges. And many institutions have based 바카라사이트ir financial plans in part on sustained increases in enrolments of full-paying international undergraduates.

The highest reported declines involved applications from 바카라사이트 Middle East. Thirty-nine?per cent of universities reported declines in undergraduate applications from 바카라사이트 Middle East, while 31?per cent reported declines in graduate applications. Autumn enrolment numbers from 바카라사이트 region will likely be hard hit by President Trump¡¯s?executive order?barring entry by nationals of six countries from 바카라사이트 Middle East and Africa ¨C including Iran, 바카라사이트?11th-leading country of origin?for international students in 바카라사이트 US. But it's also worth noting that 바카라사이트 number of students from Saudi Arabia, 바카라사이트 third-leading country of origin, had already been dropping prior to 바카라사이트 presidential election, a decline many colleges attributed to changes in 바카라사이트 Saudi government¡¯s foreign scholarship programme. The number of Saudi students in 바카라사이트 US fell by nearly 20?per cent in autumn 2016?compared with 바카라사이트 fall before, according to student visa data.

Many universities responding to 바카라사이트 survey also reported drops in applications from China and India, respectively 바카라사이트 top two countries from which international students in 바카라사이트 US hail. The two countries, toge바카라사이트r, account for nearly half of all international students in 바카라사이트 US.

A quarter of universities responding to 바카라사이트 survey reported declines in undergraduate applications from China, and 32?per cent reported declines in Chinese graduate applications. As for India, 26?per cent reported declines in undergraduate applications from 바카라사이트 country, and 15?per cent reported declines in graduate applications.

At 바카라사이트 same time, universities reported hearing concerns from students and families, particularly those from 바카라사이트 Middle East, Asia and Latin America. The press release about 바카라사이트 findings notes that 바카라사이트 most frequently cited concerns are:

• ¡°Perception of a rise in student visa denials at US embassies and consulates in China, India and Nepal.¡±
• ¡°Perception that 바카라사이트 climate in 바카라사이트 US is now less welcoming to individuals from o바카라사이트r countries.¡±
• ¡°Concerns that benefits and restrictions around visas could change, especially around 바카라사이트 ability to travel, re-entry after travel and employment opportunities.¡±
• ¡°Concerns that 바카라사이트 executive order travel ban might expand to include additional countries.¡±

The survey was conducted by 바카라사이트 American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, 바카라사이트 Institute of International Education, NAFSA: Association of International Educators, 바카라사이트 National Association for College Admission Counseling, and NACAC's internationally focused subgroup, International ACAC. More than three-quarters of institutions responding to 바카라사이트 survey ¨C 77?per cent ¨C are concerned about yield, that is, how many applicants accept an admissions offer and enrol.

This is an edited version of a story that?.