The New York Times: Amid “Trump Effect” Fear, 40 Percent of Colleges See Dip in Foreign Applicants

US colleges and universities are a leading source of US soft power, attracting diverse faculty and student talent from around the globe. Recent and potential applicants to US colleges are expressing concern about xenophobic, nationalistic and isolationist attitudes that emerged soon after Donald Trump declared his candidacy for the US presidency and then won. “Nearly 40 percent of colleges are reporting overall declines in applications from international students, according to a survey of 250 college and universities, released this week by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers,” reports Stephanie Saul for the New York Times. “The biggest decline is in applications from the Middle East” and “Graduate schools appear to be feeling the worst pinch, with nearly half reporting drops.” The decline may pose a challenge for science, math, engineering and other programs that attract few qualified US students. International students reached 1 million in 2016 and Saul reports they bring more than $32 billion each year into the United States economy. College administrators express concern about the quality of the applicant pool as well as political rhetoric and policies, including travel bans that deter foreign applicants. – YaleGlobal

The New York Times: Amid “Trump Effect” Fear, 40 Percent of Colleges See Dip in Foreign Applicants

Foreign applicants to US colleges express worry about US isolationism, policies and safety, and colleges concerned about quality of applicant pool
Stephanie Saul
Monday, March 20, 2017
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