U.S. Graduate Admission Trends and IIE’s University Placement Services University Placement Services Institute of International Education

U.S. Graduate U.S. Graduate Admission Trends and Admission Trends and IIE’s University IIE’s University Placement Services Placement Services

University Placement Services

Institute of International Education

Prepared by IIE's University Placement Services 2

OverviewOverview

Trends in U.S. Graduate Admissions CompetitionCostsAdmissions

IIE’s Placement Services and Process

Tips on Applying to U.S. Graduate Schools


CompetitionCompetitionAnnually over 1.26 million applications are

madestrong competition for seats, especially at the PhD levelstronger competition for money

Overall, only 46% of ALL applications are acceptedvaries greatly by institution and field of study

Biological Sciences, Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences less than 35%Education and Business over 50%

competition at the doctoral level is much higher58% acceptance rate at the master’s level25% acceptance rate at the doctoral level

Taken from CGS/GRE Survey of Graduate Enrollment- 2006

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Taken from CGS/GRE Survey of Graduate Enrollment- 2006


Graduate School CostsGraduate School Costs

Dramatic increases in graduate tuition and fees

On average 6% at private institutions

But can be double digit increases at public institutions; beginning to stabilize

Differential pricing by department/field

Monthly living costs can run from $1200 to $2065 per month

Boston is most expensive educational city

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Graduate Tuition and FeesGraduate Tuition and Fees

Overall: average academic

year tuition and fees are $21,000

Private institutions: average academic year tuition and fees are $25,000 (range of $7,000 to over $70,000)

Public institutions: average academic year tuition and fees are $19,000 (range of $9,000 to $34,000)Generally, highest tuition and fees are in the professional schools such as architecture, law, business, etc. Note carefully: Fulbright grantees tend to request programs where the tuition is higher than the average, usually in the $32,000+ range at private institutions and the $25,000+ range at public.

Figures based on IIE 2007 tuition data

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5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

30,000

General Private Public

Tuitio

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ts


Decentralized Admissions ProcessesDecentralized Admissions ProcessesDecentralized and layered levels of

admission and financial aid decisions

Departments make the decision/recommendation• focus on talent, expertise

Graduate schools approve and admit• focus on budget (public)

Admissions offices approve• focus on credentials and requirements • some offices beginning to outsource

review of international credentials


Graduate Admissions ProcessesGraduate Admissions Processes

Ever earlier deadlinesfrequently December 1st and 15th in the most competitive fields, institutions, and at the doctoral level

Movement to a paperless admission process


Admission RequirementsAdmission RequirementsRequirements vary greatly (tests, minimum scores,

subject exams, weight of verbal GRE score; GPA (grade point average); work and writing samples; portfolio requirements, auditions, and interviews; work experience, etc.)

vary from institution to institutionvary within different programs in institution (sometimes by specialization within the same program)

vary by field of study• business weighs work experience and essays• law weighs prior institutions attended• theoretical fields in sciences and humanities

weigh prior academic experience and academic references

vary from year to year


IIE Placement Services IIE Placement Services and Processand Process


TimelineTimeline

October: receive applicationsOctober-December: research, finalize plans and applyJanuary-March: follow-up and pursue cost-sharingMarch-May: university decisions arriveApril-June: finalize placementsMay-June: prepare grants, forms DS2019 preparation


IIEIIE’’s Placement Servicess Placement Services

Extensive knowledge of U.S. universities

Full range of schools and programs

Full range of fields of study

Staff specializes in fields of study


IIEIIE’’s Placement Servicess Placement Services

Individualized placement approachConduct extensive research, seeking best academic ‘fit’ for each candidate

• take into account Commission and ECA priorities• candidate’s preferences• candidate’s competitiveness• cost-sharing needs

Advocate on student’s behalf to acquire admission and university cost-sharing

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Placement ProcessPlacement ProcessPlacement staff screens applications carefully, suggesting revisions when necessary

Identifies all additional necessary documentation

Conducts extensive research seeking best academic matches at a range of programsApplies on candidates’ behalf to U.S. universities

Submits to 4 programs (more for doctoral candidates)Submits to a competitive range of schoolsCompletes U.S. university applications, when necessary (or assist grantee with completing when necessary)Pays all application fees

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Researching Schools For Good Researching Schools For Good Academic FitAcademic Fit——questions we askquestions we ask

What is best program to submit to? Does program offer specialization or specialized opportunities in grantee’s area? Is the program focus theoretical or applied?How much flexibility does program offer?

e.g. interdisciplinary centers, allowing students to take courses outside their major or specialization, offering opportunities to work on global projects, etc.

What courses are offered? Do they run?What is size of faculty? What research is the faculty doing? How many faculty specialize in grantee’s area? How stable is the faculty? Do they publish with students?What is the time to degree?What feedback have we received from prior students?

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Researching Schools For Researching Schools For CompetitivenessCompetitiveness

What are requirements for admission?

• GRE or GMAT minimums; GRE subject exams• undergraduate or graduate GPA (grade point

average) requirements• portfolio requirements, auditions, interviews• work experience

Questions we ask:• How many students apply & what percentage are

admitted? What are the average scores of admitted? What is average profile of admitted students? How many admitted students actually enroll? How many candidates are we submitting in a specific field and/or from a specific country?

Note: Keep in mind that meeting minimum requirements doesn’t insure admission in most competitive programs


Sending Applications to UniversitiesSending Applications to Universities

Forward the Fulbright dossier with a cover letter introducing the applicant

Insure that the application presents a consistent and comprehensive view of who the applicant is and what he or she will bring to the programInsure that the elements of the dossier that will be weighed most heavily are the best they can beHighlight strengths of candidate to differentiate him or her from other applicantsStipulate candidate’s sponsorship and funding status


Follow-upFollow-upAggressively follow-up on status of application

Often work with special contacts for special admissions handling and funding considerationInform applicants of additional documentation and requirementsInform candidates of conditions on admission

Aggressively pursue cost-sharingIIE on average acquires over $15,000 in awarded university financial aid per degree-seeking grantee.

Accept and decline offers of admission on behalf of students


Finalizing PlacementsFinalizing Placements

In consultation with the Fulbright Office IIE finalizes the academic placements

Balanced consideration is given to candidates’ preferences and available funds

IIE accepts one offer of admission on behalf of each grantee and declines all other offers


ResearchResearch Focus on programs that provide a good ‘academic fit’

specializationresearch

Focus on quality and offerings of program and not reputation of overall institution

Understand how the graduate admission process works in the U.S.


What do schools look for?What do schools look for?

Good fitstudent objectives match program’sfaculty can help student reach goals

DiversityBring a unique talent or perspective

student will enhance the program

Fiscal resources

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What do schools weigh?What do schools weigh?Academics

achievement in prior courseworkequivalency of prior courseworkstandardized test scoresresearch and publications writing and work samples

Personal qualities and interpersonal skillsessays, letters of reference, awardswork experienceinterview (if required)

Future potential and leadershipaccomplishments to date, letters of reference, awardscommunity and volunteer service


Tips on Applying to U.S. Tips on Applying to U.S. Graduate SchoolsGraduate Schools


Reflect and assessReflect and assess

Clarify your objectivestheoretical or appliedspecialization/concentrationultimate degree goal

Realistically assess your competitivenessbackground

• academic and professional

standardized tests


What is needed?What is needed?An application that presents a consistent and comprehensive view of who the applicant is and what he or she will bring to the program

insure that the elements of the application that will be weighed most heavily are the best they can be

An application that differentiates the applicant from all from other applicants

highlight strengths, awards, etc.address areas of weakness


What is needed? What is needed?

A clear and articulate study objective Include all previous post-secondary study and all work experience

not just completed degrees

Identify all awards and honors that have been receivedIdentify publicationsIdentify work experience


Study/Research ObjectiveStudy/Research Objective

Critical component of applicationShould build upon—not repeat—information in applicationDescribe how background and experiences have prepared applicant for graduate study

Intellectual pursuits and interests, professional experiences, service experiences

Discuss career goals and how pursuing a graduate degree will assist in meeting goals

For master’s study, identify coursework For doctoral study, clearly define research interest

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What is needed?Letters of references

from people who know you well• Teachers, instructors, professors• Work contacts

reputation of referee• Not important if the individual does not

know you well

“Recommendations should be written by people who have supervised you in either an academic, employment, or community service capacity and who can comment on your intellectual ability, creativity, initiative, sensitivity to others, and leadership potential. We strongly urge that you choose your recommenders carefully and ensure that they can write on your behalf in a timely manner.”

Suggestions from Harvard University’s School of Education


What else might be needed?What else might be needed?

Professional work resumeWriting sampleWork sampleInterviewAuditionOther documentation


Specializations & Interdisciplinary Specializations & Interdisciplinary StudyStudy

Greater level of specialization within programs

explosion of new concentrations in some fields, e.g. electrical engineering, telecommunications, education related to technology and distance education, law

Interdisciplinary study across disciplines

Need to have a faculty member with expertise in student’s specialization to agree to be an advisor

even at the master’s level


Interdisciplinary study across Interdisciplinary study across disciplinesdisciplines

Interdisciplinary centers focused on resolving global issues

energy, global warming, environmental issues, global health

Pull in faculty, researchers, and funding from diverse disciplines and departments

Focus on new and innovative ways to address global problems


Important Additional Important Additional Information Post –Information Post –Placement and During Placement and During U.S. StudiesU.S. Studies


Dependents Dependents You can apply to bring immediate family members (your spouse and children) to the U.S. only if you have additional funding from non-Fulbright sources to provide for their financial support, round-trip international travel and U.S. health insurance coverage.

The additional funding amount must be in compliance with levels established by U.S. Federal immigration regulations and Fulbright

program directives. You cannot use your Fulbright grant funding to verify support for dependents. Your grant is available to cover your U.S. study costs only.

The personal funding must be immediately available, liquid and deposited in a personal account. The amount in the account must have been retained for several months, or have accrued over a similar period to verify an appropriate level of support for your dependents.Any amount of funding provided by a family member or other third party cannot be considered until it has remained in your account for several months.

Unless you can satisfy these criteria, IIE cannot issue visa documents for your dependents.


Restrictions to Summer Restrictions to Summer ActivitiesActivities

The following Summer options are available between years of study:

Travel to Ukraine at your own expense and return to the U.S. for the start of Fall semester.

Remain in the U.S. and support yourself from your own resources.

Register for required courses or a required unpaid internship and apply for Fulbright funding support for the Summer.

Fulbright funding can only be provided for Summer if the proposed coursework or internship are required for your academic program and you are registered for official credit during the summer. Independent research or non-required study cannot be supported by Fulbright funding.

Apply for full-time work authorization for a paid program-related internship or similar position that is not required for your study program. This activity can be considered and approved as Academic Training. You can obtain more information on this option from your IIE contact person after you arrive in the U.S.

Documents

U.S. Graduate Admission Trends and IIE’s University Placement Services University Placement Services Institute of International Education