u.s. graduate admission trends and iie’s university placement services university placement...
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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
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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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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
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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
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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
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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
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IIE Placement Services IIE Placement Services and Processand Process
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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Tips on Applying to U.S. Tips on Applying to U.S. Graduate SchoolsGraduate Schools
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Reflect and assessReflect and assess
Clarify your objectivestheoretical or appliedspecialization/concentrationultimate degree goal
Realistically assess your competitivenessbackground
• academic and professional
standardized tests
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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
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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
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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
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What else might be needed?What else might be needed?
Professional work resumeWriting sampleWork sampleInterviewAuditionOther documentation
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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
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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
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Important Additional Important Additional Information Post –Information Post –Placement and During Placement and During U.S. StudiesU.S. Studies
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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.
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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.