Some reasons for this decline appear to be:
- Insecurity about U.S. visa rules
- Political climate regarding immigration
- A strong U.S. dollar, which can make programs more expensive
- Fewer scholarships provided by some countries, especially those with oil-dependent economies
- Tense relations between the U.S. and China
Additional findings from the study:
- The number of applicants and first-time enrollees from Sub-Saharan African countries increased by 28% and 5%, respectively.
- Applicants from Mexico decreased by 4% between fall 2017 and fall 2018. This is the second year that the numbers of Mexican applicants declined.
- The number of applicants from the Latin American and Caribbean areas rose 4% in applications and 5% in overall first-time enrollments.
- The number of Canadian applications did not change from fall 2017 to fall 2018. First-time grad enrollment went up 6% for the same time period.
- Middle Eastern and North African applications decreased by 14% between fall 2017 and fall 2018.
- European grad applications fell 13% between fall 2017 and fall 2018.
Programs that had been among the fastest-growing experienced the largest decreases:
- Engineering: -10%
- Physical and Earth Sciences: -13%
- Public Administration: -27%
This drop in application volume can work to your benefit, and we can help! Explore our Graduate Admissions Services and work one-on-one with an expert advisor who will help you get ACCEPTED
Related Resources:
- 5 Fatal Flaws to Avoid in Your Graduate School Statement of Purpose, a free guide
- International Students: How to Finance Your U.S. Education, a podcast episode
- Is Drop in Foreign Student Visas Due to Trump’s Immigration Policy?
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