More US visas available for foreign postgrad students
August 21 2009 by Rebekah Nahai
Fewer foreign students, more US visas
About 3% fewer foreign postgraduate students have applied to US universities for an Autumn 2009 start as compared to last year.
The sharpest application decline in more than five years has educators worried about number of foreign students obtaining US visas for postgraduate study this autumn and the potential lack of diversity in graduate student bodies.
Research shows the economic downturn is forcing international students to consider their university choices more cautiously.
Some students are deterred by difficulties in securing financing and the prospect of large student loans. Others are deterred by post-study career prospects in the US.
It has become increasingly difficult to obtain the H-1B visa, which allows foreign nationals to work in the country and offers a path to US immigration. Economic troubles have led to decreased issuance of H-1B visas and longer wait times for green cards.
Indian student Manish Bage, 29, turned down an offer from ivy league Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business. He said: “The recession made me double-think taking out a $130,000 loan and my ability to pay it back if I don't get a job in the US and was forced to return to India.”
While India and South Korea fuelled the US foreign student boom in recent years, applications from the countries have declined by 16% this year.
But China is giving US educators hope. Applications from China have increased 14% this year, while the Middle East and Turkey have posted a 22% increase in applications.
Sherry Wallace, directory of MBA admissions at the University of North Carolina, said the school was exercising more restraint in making offers to international candidates.
"We wanted to make sure that the students that were given the opportunity to enrol were people that were going to have the best chance of being successful in a trying economy," she said. "Obviously, we think we are doing that every year, but perhaps we paid more attention this year."
While competition for spaces in top US business schools intensified this year for international students, less competitive postgraduate programs are welcoming applications from foreign nationals.
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