International Students in Iowa

Linda Serra Hagedorn, Ph.D.

Associate Dean – College of Human Sciences

Professor – School of Education

Overview

• The presentation will provide background:– The numbers of International students in the USA

and specific in Iowa– Why students come to the USA and specific to

Iowa

• Issues pertaining to international students with a focus on Chinese students. – Shadow education– Allegations of cheating to gain admission – Other issues   

The Numbers: National

Open Doors (2014).

Open Doors (2014).

Open Doors (2014).

What About Iowa?Type of Student: Number:

Undergraduate students

2,364

Graduate students 1,157

Non-Degree students

128

Medical Residents/Fellows & Post-Doctorals

294

Iowa Intensive English Program

62

Students in post-graduate training

355

Total: 4,360

Total students=35,05710% International

Iowa State University

Country Number of Countries

Number of Students

Africa 23 108

Asia 35 3,496

Europe 27 120

North America 7 83

Oceania 2 23

South America

9 140

TOTAL 110 3,980

University of Northern Iowa

Iowa Private Colleges and Universities

• Almost all accept international students

• Wartburg College 14%

• Grinnell College 13%

• Graceland University-Lamoni 5%

• Buena Vista University 4%

• Loras College 1%

Motivations to Study Abroad

• Reputation– USA is the top destination in the world

• Of the top 50 universities in the world, 27 are in the USA

– State of Iowa• May not be a first choice

– Regents are among the most affordable universities among peer institutions

– Great college towns

– Safety

– Cost of living

– Reputations

– Word of mouth

The Case of China

Fear of the Chinese National Exam

• The Gaokao

• Intense study

• Choice of Gaokao or “other”– SAT or ACT– “Brain Drain”

Gaokao

• 9.8 million students took the 2-day exam in 2014

• Gaokao determines– Which college– What major

Costs

• Cost of US postsecondary study is “out of reach” for most Chinese families– the average annual salary of a worker in China

was 28,752 yuan (about $4,755) in 2012, or 38% of the global average.

• Filial piety– “Payback” from adult children

Difficulty taking the SAT/ACT

• Chinese government does not allow American admission tests

• Closest test centers– Korea, Vietnam, Hong Kong

Agents

• Third party mediator– University choice– University applications– Visa procedures – Admission tests

• Widespread use– Estimate 60%

• Issues– False documents

Shadow Education

• Activities outside of school that mimic (shadow) activities performed in school. – Tutoring– Special Classes– Test Prep– Private lessons– Arts-based instruction

• Widespread– Estimates 75% but

anecdotally higher

• Global Access Certificate• Kumon

Cultural Challenges

• Family pressure

• Entrance essay

• Choice of major

Cheating and “Cheating”

• According to Zinch China (2010) – “90% of recommendation letters are forged”– 70% of essays are not written by the student– 50% of transcripts are altered (Forbes, 2010)

• Studying to take a test versus studying the test

American Admissions

• It is almost impossible to find data related to who applies and who is accepted at America’s top universities (Espenshade & Radford, 2009)

• Interviews with 14 Iowa Postsecondary institutions– No special considerations or policies related

to applications from China

Iowa Colleges and Universities

• Regents do not require letters of recommendation or interview– Some privates do require both

• Difficult to separate “cheaters” from other applications

• Most applicants work with an agent

Regents

• Accept ALL applicants who meet the admission criteria– Minimum ACT/SAT– English Proficiency – Appropriate financial records

Iowa Private Liberal Arts Colleges

• No quotas or targets

• Some work with agencies

• Some require an interview (Skype)

Messages

Warm Welcome• Out of State

Tuition

• Diversity

• International perspective

Cool Doorstep• Bias

• Emphases on American students

• No coordinated recruitment strategies for international students

Conclusions and Policy Recommendations

• Cheating

• Letters of Recommendation

• Shadow Education

• Admission tests

• Agents

• Future– Iowa Private Colleges– Iowa Community Colleges