Contact: Katherine Hazelrigg  (202) 461-3888 / khazelrigg@cgs.nche.edu

Master’s and Certificate Programs Remain Most Affected

Washington, DC —New data from the Council of Graduate Schools (CGS) reveal that for the second consecutive year, international graduate application and first-time enrollment rates declined at U.S. universities. For Fall 2018, the final application counts from prospective international students declined by 4%, while the first-time enrollment of international graduate students declined by 1%.

The overall decline is primarily driven by a 6% decrease in applications and a 2% decrease in first-time enrollment to master’s and certificate programs. In contrast, first-time international doctoral enrollment grew by 3%. The discrepancy by degree objective is notable given the proportion of first-time international graduate enrollment in master’s and certificate programs (77%) vs. doctoral programs (23%).

 “This is the first time we’ve seen declines across two consecutive years, and while we think it’s too soon to consider this a trend, it is troubling,” said CGS President Suzanne Ortega. “We continue to monitor issues, including changes in immigration and visa policy, with growing concern over the possible negative impact to the U.S.’s image as a welcoming destination for international students and scholars.”

Highlights by Country of Origin

China and India continue to represent the largest shares of international graduate applications, first-time international graduate enrollment, and total international graduate enrollment. However, the final application and first-time graduate enrollment of Indian students experienced large decreases again (-12%, -2% respectively) during the Fall 2017 to Fall 2018 admission cycle. This is the second consecutive year the number of applications and first-time enrollment from India has declined.

Graduate applications from Middle Eastern & North African students to U.S. graduate schools fell by 14% between the Fall 2017 and Fall 2018 admission cycles. Graduate applications and first-time enrollment of Iranian (-27%, -8%) and Saudi Arabian (-6%, -21%) graduate students also decreased. Conversely, applications and first-time enrollment of Sub-Saharan African graduate students increased by 28% and 5% respectively.

Ortega noted that overall, admission yield rates are comparable to last year. “This suggests that prospective international graduate students remain highly likely to accept offers of admission to U.S. graduate schools.”

Highlights by Field of Study

Across broad fields of study, international graduate applications increased in health sciences (5%), mathematics and computer sciences (6%), and other fields (8%) between Fall 2017 to Fall 2018. By contrast, engineering (-16%), physical & earth sciences (-9%), and business (-8%) experienced decreases in international graduate applications during this period. Business (95%), public administration & services (86%), and mathematics & computer sciences (85%) had high concentrations of first-time international students in master’s and certificate programs in Fall 2018, while first-time doctoral students accounted for 77% of international graduate students in physical & earth sciences and 50% in biological & agricultural sciences.

About the survey and report

Conducted since 2004, the CGS International Graduate Admissions Survey tracks the applications and enrollments of international students seeking U.S. master’s and doctoral degrees. As the only report of its kind to offer data on the current academic year, International Graduate Applications and Enrollment: Fall 2018 reports applications, admissions, and enrollments of international master’s, certificate, and doctoral students at U.S. colleges and universities. In Fall 2016 the survey was redesigned to collect data by degree objective (master’s and graduate certificate vs. doctorate), and for all seven regions of origin, eight countries of origin, and all eleven broad fields of study, yielding the only degree-level data currently available for graduate admissions and enrollments. 369 U.S. graduate institutions who are members of CGS or its regional affiliates responded to the 2018 survey.

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​We invite you to explore the electronic proceedings of the 2018 Global Summit, Supporting Diversity in Graduate Education. Individual papers are accessible at the links below.

​Summit Program and Compilation of Papers*

*Individual papers below have been updated and edited for the electronic proceedings.

CGS contributions to the 2018 Summit were generously supported by the Educational Testing Service (ETS).

Elizabeth Kenney, Assistant Dean, Research and Graduate Studies, Executive Director, Center for Research and Creative Activities, Salem State University

Successful campus advocacy is an ongoing process of engagement rather than a project with a defined beginning and end. As such, it requires the development of varied strategies in response to constantly changing institutional landscapes.

Changes in organizational structure, the appointment of new personnel, or altered job descriptions, even when they don’t occur in the graduate division itself, create opportunities to reassess strategies for advocating on campus for resources, support services or strategic position. Regarding changes as new opportunities for campus advocacy creates occasions to identify and develop new partners for graduate education. These strategies are empowered by the formation of responsive, flexible cross-functional collaborations. Cross-functional teams both educate and engage areas across campus that otherwise might not see themselves as invested in the graduate mission.

An example of such an advocacy opportunity occurred on our campus recently when the graduate school lost the position that had supported our graduate student research day. In evaluating how to cover those duties, we recognized an opportunity to rethink the event itself. Graduate Research Day had historically involved only graduate students and graduate program faculty. The challenge of managing the event was re-envisioned as an opportunity to engage with other areas on campus to expand its impact.

Graduate Research Day had been an excellent opportunity for students to practice presenting their work within the conventions of their discipline, under the guidance of faculty advisors, to a sympathetic audience, but now we looked for ways to engage other offices on campus by building cross-functional teams to support the event as a more robust professional development opportunity for students. The writing center ran a workshop on transforming a written paper into a panel presentation; Theater and Communications faculty offered training on oral presentation; Marketing and Communications Office staff gave feedback on posters; and staff from the Center for Teaching Innovation shared tips about effective power point presentations. While these areas provided resources that enhanced the graduate students’ experience, their involvement also increased campus awareness of graduate programs and commitment to graduate education.

The same event will help the graduate school develop advocacy strategies to respond to other kinds of change. As the university considers the place of graduate education in its mission as a public, regional, comprehensive university in times when traditional undergraduate student populations are shrinking and employers in many fields are seeking post-graduate qualifications, on-campus advocacy allows us to lobby for the centrality of graduate education to the mission of the university. This year, new cross-functional teams will initiate collaborative relationships to maximize the impact of the event; in addition to inviting the Board of Trustees, we will work with the career office to invite regional employers, the admissions office to invite potential students, institutional advancement to reach out to donors, corporations and foundations, and the alumni office to engage graduates. We hope also to expand the participation to include our Explorers Club, the organization for seniors that is affiliated with the university.

Regarding campus advocacy as an ongoing process of building support and networks in response to change and challenges, rather than as a set of defined goals, can create a resilient and dynamic menu of strategies.

On January 30, CGS signed onto public comments submitted to the Department of Education regarding its notice of proposed rulemaking on Title IX campus sexual assault guidance. The comments note that the proposed rule is extremely complex in nature and highlights several concerns and questions.

View letter here. 

On January 25, Congress and the White House reached agreement on a temporary, three-week funding extension to keep the federal government open through February 15. The shutdown- the longest in U.S. history- lasted for five weeks and caused certain federal agencies to suspend activities critical to education and research. CGS President Suzanne Ortega called for a solution to reopen the government, and the council maintains that it is essential that a final Fiscal Year 2019 spending deal is reached to prevent futher exacerbation of the damage already caused. CGS would like to know how the government shutdown has impacted our members. Please send stories, data, or other evidence from your campus to GovAffairs@cgs.nche.edu.

The following testimonials from CGS member institutions highlight the problems faced by students, faculty, and the programs, as well as the implications for the public who are affected by federally-funded research initiatives:

“I am a fifth year student and PhD candidate in Plant Biology. I am afraid that the shutdown will not only affect my access to credible research sources, but that it may also impact the day to day operations as we rely mostly on government grants to pay our lab technicians, purchase supplies such as microbiological media, filtration devices, pcr primers and other molecular biology supplies, DNA extraction kits, etc. I am unable to acquire seeds through the USDA GRIN database system to continue research at this time due to the shutdown. I use GRIN for wild type native hops seeds and live plants, with the latter only being made available to order in early January to February.  I may not be able to acquire live plants this year at all, and will have to rely on more expensive options for seed procurement. The pedigree or breeding history of the seed is very important for my project. There are also disease resistance traits that vary between cultivars, so properly documented seed source is necessary component of my research. I worry about the accessibility and maintenance of National Institutes of Health resources such as BLAST databases during the prolonged shutdown as well. This could impact research other than my own, like cancer research, which could potentially be set back years.” -Fifth year PhD candidate

“Two ways by which the work of my one remaining graduate student is impacted by the government shutdown are: a.) Communications with our United States Geological Survey government collaborators is turned off as they have no access to their e-mail accounts.  My student is in the process of submitting abstracts to several national and international conferences- all have deadlines for submission that need formal USGS review and approval.  b.) Submission of applications for support from various government agencies is halted and communication with program directors regarding existing awards, as is the case with the student, is blocked.”  -Microbiology faculty member

“I know my colleague and I are approaching critical situations about getting supplements to keep postdocs working for us. One student’s National Science Foundation supplement was approved but not yet "out the door," whereas mine was viewed favorably but needs all the paperwork and approvals to be done, once the government reopens. We have a month until the postdoc is unemployed.” -Physics faculty member

“I am a professor in the sociology department. Six months ago, I applied for a Fulbright research fellowship to Poland. I have now been officially notified that I am indeed a recipient of a 9-month research fellowship- a great honor. However, since Fulbright is a federal grant though the State Department, we won't know the amount of the fellowship. That means I am, at the moment, unable to bring this matter to the dean's office, delaying all arrangements to the unforeseeable future. The shutdown will have a number of other adverse consequences , especially with respect to our graduate student population, particularly foreign nationals accepted into our programs, who will likely face delays in the visa issuance process if the shutdown continues.” -Sociology faculty member 

“You can mark me down as somebody whose research is suffering because of the shutdown.  More particularly, if I am to meet the deadlines on my federal grants, I currently need data or data technical support from two federal agencies: National Agricultural Statistics Service and Natural Resources Conservation Service. In each case, the shutdown is slowing my progress on research being performed under a USDA grant. In addition, I have a small supplementary grant proposal pending at USDA.  Because of the shutdown and my lack of this money, the budgeting is about to get very complicated. It would not surprise me if I wound up losing this money just because of the nature of the calendar and the very unexpected fact of the shutdown.” -Agricultural Economics faculty member

As an Army Veteran, Occupational Therapist, and two-time Olympic Biathlete, Kristina Sabasteanski has an impressive biography and a bit of a competitive streak. She also clearly has a calling to serve. After completing her master’s in occupational therapy at the University of Southern Maine, Sabasteanski started the Veterans Adaptive Sports & Training (VAST) program at Pineland Farms in New Gloucester, Maine with help from the Libra Foundation in May of 2012.

Funded in part by a grant from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, the goal of the VAST program is, “to promote lifelong health and well-being of veterans with disabilities through regular participation in a VAST array of physical activities and sports.” While the focus is on veterans with disabilities, any and all veterans are welcome to participate. Research indicates that those with disabilities who get daily exercise experience decreased rates of stress, depression, and secondary medical conditions. In addition, they experience positive benefits, including higher self-esteem and employment rates, educational success, and improved quality of life.

Sabasteanski has also put her own Olympic training experience to use by helping train disabled veterans, including Eric Frazier, to compete in the Paralympic winter games. “It’s nice the knowledge I used 20 years ago can help someone,” Sabasteanski said of helping Frazier tweak his technique. “This is paying it forward.” To learn more about Kristina’s work visit the University of Southern Maine website or VAST.

Visit the GradImpact Feature Gallery to learn more about the amazing, innovative research being done by graduate students and alumni across the world.

Photo Credit: University of Southern Maine

How long does it take to charge your cell phone? Priyanka Ketkar, a doctoral student in chemical and biomolecular engineering at the University of Delaware, is working to create a battery that takes minutes to fully charge. Ketkar, as part of the Epps Research Group, intends to produce flexible, safer, faster-charging batteries. The challenge so far has been that improving the battery performance has led to safety and stability issues.

The Epps team has patented an idea to improve battery performance by “introducing tapers into the polymer membrane electrolytes that allow the lithium ions inside the battery to travel back and forth faster.” By using block polymers (two or more polymer chains that differ in properties), the team can create polymers that maintain the advantageous features of each material. “Previous methods for increasing conductivity have either made the polymer harder to process or used greater amounts of chemical solvent, which makes the material more flammable and less environmentally friendly,” Ketkar said. “That is why I am really excited about this new approach.”

Ketkar hopes to make a difference in the world through her research and expects to finish her PhD in 2021. She will be presenting her work at the 2019 American Physical Society Meeting in Boston this March. To learn more about Priyanka’s work visit the University of Delaware website.

Visit the GradImpact Feature Gallery to learn more about the amazing, innovative research being done by graduate students and alumni across the world.

Photo Credit: Kathy F. Atkinson, University of Delaware

A recent PhD recipient in computer science from North Carolina State University, Veronica Catete is so passionate about her work that she actively seeks out opportunities to share her passion with the world. Catete is particularly interested in sharing her passion with “middle school and high school students from rural areas who face the same limitations in computing education” as she did. Catete’s graduate research focused on “broadening participation in computing,” and she found herself involved in a number of outreach efforts both locally and all the way to Africa.

As a student, Catete served as president of the Students & Technology in Academia, Research and Service (STARS) Computing Corps at NC State, an organization that provides students with the opportunity to learn more about computer science and possible careers, participate in service projects and outreach programs, and engage in research. She also spent time working in Rwanda with high school students, introducing them to the world of computer science and helping them learn to develop mobile apps that would benefit the public. “One was a milk delivery app, where you could enter in the type of milk you wanted, how much you needed and your location,” Catete said. “It would send a ping off to a delivery service, and they would deliver milk to your home. I would never have thought of that, but that’s really cool.”

Dr. Catete is currently a research scholar at North Carolina State University working on STEM + C, an NSF-funded project that aims to integrate computing into K-12 STEM courses through teacher training and is the staff advisor to the STARS Computing Corps. To learn more about Veronica’s work visit the NC State website or her personal website.

Visit the GradImpact Feature Gallery to learn more about the amazing, innovative research being done by graduate students and alumni across the world.

Photo Credit: Becky Kirkland, NC State University

CGS President Calls for End to Partial Shutdown

“With the partial government shutdown now approaching its third week, it is imperative that Congress and the White House work together to fund the outstanding Fiscal Year 2019 appropriation bills,” says Suzanne Ortega, President of the Council of Graduate Schools. “CGS is particularly concerned that this abrupt halt in funding is impacting the research and innovation being conducted within our member institutions and the scientific community.” Seven federal fiscal spending bills have yet to be passed, encompassing agencies including the National Science Foundation, Department of Agriculture and Research, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, and the U.S. Geological Survey. These agencies provide critical dollars that support not only graduate research, but the broader institution and the public. As a result of the shutdown, some agencies are required to furlough their researchers or not accept new funding proposals. Travel of federal staff and cancellations of review panels resulting from the shutdown are creating additional challenges for stakeholders in the academic and research arenas.