More International Graduate Admissions

A new report shows business schools are increasing numbers of international students as well as expanding their own programs overseas

Come fall, U.S. business schools will reach even more international students. According to a study released Aug. 28 by the Council of Graduate Schools (CGS), a jump in overseas applications and admission offers will increase international student populations at U.S. schools—particularly business programs. It also predicts the significant expansion of U.S. programs abroad.
According to the group's interim findings, admission offers for international business students rose 10% for the upcoming school year, while applications were up by 15% from last year. It's the second straight year of sharp increases in applications and offers of admission to international students.
Equally Competitive
How many of these international students will actually make it to campus is another matter, says Kenneth Redd, the author of the study and director of Research & Policy Analysis at the Council of Graduate Schools. After September 11, stricter visa requirements decreased the number of international students coming into the U.S. Some of the restrictions that were put in place have been eased, Redd says. "We're hoping to see that the changes made by the State Dept. will alleviate some of the barriers for student visas and will be reflected in our enrollment numbers, but there seems to be a backlog of complaints from our consulates."
Does the smaller growth in admission offers mean that spots for international students are getting even more competitive? Not quite, says Redd. The bulk of the increase probably comes from foreign students applying to several U.S. schools at one time, he says.
While application rates for business programs have been leveling off since 2005, this year's study shows a significant increase in international students who want to pursue business-related fields. "What you're seeing is business increasing faster than the overall average," says Redd. "It's an indication of foreign students who are wanting to learn about American business practices."
International Degree
According to the survey, the international applicant pool is also growing faster at universities that have smaller international populations. They're "getting more involved with recruitment and enrollment, so there's more internal activity away from the traditional 50 campuses," says Redd. For example, of the 50 universities with the largest international populations, admission offers to students from China grew by 15%, but for those outside of the 50 largest, there was a 38% surge.
It's telling that, as international education is becoming increasingly important, the CGS for the first time gathered data on the joint and dual-degree programs that U.S. universities have recently developed abroad. The study found that nearly 30% of American universities have established collaborative degree programs with international universities. But what's more indicative of future global business trends is that almost a quarter of U.S. schools plan to establish at least one international program in the next two years. For business schools that number is significantly higher—44%—than other fields, including engineering and social sciences.
International programs include dual-degree programs (in which graduates receive degrees from both institutions) and joint-degree programs (in which graduates receive only one degree), as well as other programs including MBA and executive MBA options.
The August survey by the CGS is the second of three that studies international applications for the upcoming academic year. A final report analyzing actual enrollment trends will be issued in October.
Dizik is a BusinessWeek.com project assistant.

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