For many universities, confronting the systemic racism begins with an excavation of the institution’s own history. In 2013, Johns Hopkins University (JHU) leaders began a project, Hopkins Retrospective, to explore and better understanding the institution’s history with a focus on its legacy of slavery. At the time, the university’s founder, Johns Hopkins, was known as a dedicated abolitionist and philanthropist. He bequeathed $7 million to establish the nation’s first research university and a hospital that would serve the poor “without regard to sex, age or color.” That established historical narrative of JHU’s founder is now in question.

Allison Seyler, a master’s recipient in history from the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC), has helped uncover evidence that Hopkins did in fact own slaves. In her role as program manager for the Hopkins Retrospective project, Seyler and Dr. Martha Jones, professor of history at JHU, discovered U.S. Census records indicating that Hopkins had slaves in his household in both the 1840 and 1850 census. Jones and Seyler are now taking their research one step further: to better understand how the false history of Hopkins as a non-slave owning abolitionist came to be. 

Seyler’s work is a valuable example of graduate students’ contribution to essential research that helps us better understand the troubled history of race in higher education. When asked her reaction to uncovering the census records, Seyler said, “It was jarring. When you work at [Johns Hopkins] and learn the history of the university, and then find something so antithetical to what you’ve learned, it’s a bit shocking.” Jones’ and Seyler’s work has garnered significant attention, with features in The Baltimore Sun, The Washington Post, and The New York Times. Visit the JHU website to learn more about the Hopkins Retrospective project and the university’s feature on Jones’ and Seyler’s archival research.

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: Johns Hopkins University

In 2020 CGS asked leading member deans, former deans, long-time staff, and higher education leaders to contribute a short video clip for CGS's 60th Anniversary. Thank you to everyone who contributed for celebrating our anniversary with us. To sixty more years supporting graduate education!

Join us for the release of the latest CGS International Graduate Admissions Survey data. This webinar provides an overview of the international graduate applications and enrollment data from the Fall 2020 admissions cycle, as well as some of the relevant insights from the NAGAP/CGS Survey of Graduate Enrollment Management Professionals. The data presentation will be followed by comments from practitioner experts. Thanks to Liaison for sponsoring in part the NAGAP/CGS survey. Learn more about Liaison’s Centralized Application Services (CAS) by downloading their free e-book.

New graduate numbers fell by almost 40 percent in the fall of 2020, according to a new survey by the Council of Graduate Schools. Application numbers, however, rose modestly before the Covid-19 outbreak.

A new survey of international enrollments at U.S. graduate schools found that first-time enrollment of international graduate students dropped 39 percent from fall 2019 to fall 2020, an unprecedented drop likely attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic.

PRESS RELEASE

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

Washington, DC —The Council of Graduate Schools (CGS) released new data showing that although international graduate application rates increased at U.S. universities for Fall 2020, first-time enrollment declined substantially. Final application counts from prospective international graduate students increased by 3% between Fall 2019 and Fall 2020, but first-time enrollment decreased by 39%. While the first-time enrollment at the master’s level declined (-43%) at a higher rate than at the doctoral level (-26%), the rate of decline was consistent across institutional types.

The decline in first-time enrollment resulted in part from a large increase in international graduate student deferments. To ensure a clearer picture of this trend, CGS fielded two additional surveys: the 2020 NAGAP/CGS Survey of Graduate Enrollment Management Professionals and the 2020 CGS International Graduate Admissions Supplemental Survey. More than 80% of survey respondents reported an increase in the number of newly admitted international graduate students who deferred, and a majority of those institutions indicated a greater than 5% increase in deferments overall when compared to prior years. The deferrals were relatively consistent across degree levels, with 12% of the offers of admissions deferred at the master’s and certificate level and 10% at the doctoral level.

“The first-time international graduate student enrollment decreases are alarming, because they undermine the international diversity and vitality of U.S. graduate programs. Between the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly on health concerns and international travel, and the lack of consistent and timely direction from the Trump administration regarding international graduate student visa policy, we were prepared to see declines,” said CGS President Suzanne Ortega. “Although the declines are concerning, we know our members have prioritized staying connected to both the students who deferred and their existing international graduate student community. When thinking ahead, one of the biggest lingering questions is how the deferrals will affect offers of admission and first-time enrollment for Fall 2021 and beyond, particularly if there are still travel limitations.”

Highlights by Field of Study

Across broad fields of study, international graduate applications increased at higher rates in mathematics and computer sciences (12%) and biological and agricultural sciences (10%) between Fall 2019 and Fall 2020. Regarding two of the largest broad fields of study, applications in engineering were consistent with last year’s numbers and business (-1%) decreased slightly. There were a large number of deferrals across both master’s and doctoral programs. Sixteen percent (16%) of master’s degree admission offers in engineering and 15% in mathematics and computer sciences were deferred. At the doctoral level, public administration and services (15%), biological and agricultural sciences (12%), and engineering (12%) had the largest share of offers deferred.

Highlights by Country of Origin

There were substantial decreases in first-time graduate enrollment in Asian (-47%) and Middle Eastern & North African (-36%) regions. For example, in China and India, two countries that consistently represent the largest shares of international graduate applications, first-time enrollments, and total enrollments, there were significant decreases in first-time graduate enrollment, -37% and -66%, respectively. There were less significant declines in first-time international graduate student enrollment from Canada (-5%) and Mexico (-6%), most likely due to fewer travel restrictions.

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 2020 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. 360 U.S. graduate institutions who are members of CGS or its regional affiliates responded to the 2020 survey.

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Many doctoral students get stuck at the A.B.D. (all-but-dissertation) stage; unfortunately, many give up at this point. The Council of Graduate Schools’ 2008 PhD Completion Project showed that almost 60 percent of students graduate within 10 years, while around 30 percent drop out, and those statistics have remained steady. Students clearly have an ongoing need for support in order to keep moving forward in their degrees, especially when the remaining work is mostly writing.

The Sustaining Membership Network connects CGS member universities and industry leaders to advance graduate education through meaningful partnerships. Click on the company logos to learn more. Learn more about the benefits of Sustaining Membership.
 

VISIONARY MEMBERS
	ETS was founded in 1947 on the belief that an independent, nonprofit organization devoted to education research and assessment could advance education by expanding opportunities for all learners, not just those with resources and connections. Today, we continue that journey by delivering learning tools, groundbreaking research, and trusted assessments that provide data and innovation to help students, educators and employers see clearly the next step on their path to new possibilities.  ETS Resources HolisticAdmissions.org GradSchoolMatch.com Contact: Ken Balazs  CGS Annual Meeting session recording:  Can a Holistic Approach Improve Student and Program Success
	ProQuest curates six centuries of content – the world’s largest collection of journals, ebooks, primary sources, dissertations, news, and video – and builds powerful workflow solutions to help libraries acquire and grow collections that inspire extraordinary outcomes.  ProQuest Resources ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Overview of Services Contact: Gilia Smith CGS Summer Workshop session recording:  Supporting Graduate Student Research on Indigenous Knowledges
ALLY MEMBERS
	Academic Analytics is a full-service source for data to explore faculty research activity, facilitate faculty development, analyze research trends among peer universities, and better follow the careers of graduate and postdoctoral alumni. Our tools are the gold standard among provosts, research officers, and graduate deans for obtaining critical insight about their university through accurate, up-to-date context from the national landscape. Academic Analytics Resources Learn More About Academic Analytics Contact: Brenda Cooper
	Cambridge Assessment English is a department of the University of Cambridge and we develop a wide range of English language exams and tests for learners of all abilities and ages. Globally accepted by thousands of leading colleges and universities, our secure exams are a mark of excellence and give students the skills they need to succeed.          Cambridge Assessment English Resources First Choice for Universities Worldwide Contact: Pete Novak CGS Annual Meeting session recording:  What Should You Consider When Selecting an English Language Assessment Exam
	Cayuse empowers organizations to conduct connected graduate program management and modernize their research administration programs. Our industry-leading cloud-based platform powers a suite of applications that maximizes graduate student and faculty success, improves collaboration and streamlines work across the entire research lifecycle.. The Cayuse global community includes academic institutions, pharmaceutical and biotech companies, hospital and health systems, government agencies, independent research institutions, and non-profit organizations.   Contact: Jason Porter
	Discovery Education currently serves approximately 4.5 million educators and 45 million students worldwide, and its resources are accessed in over 140 countries and territories. Inspired by the global media company Discovery, Inc., Discovery Education partners with universities, districts, states, and like-minded organizations to empower educators with customized solutions that support the success of all learners. Explore the future of education at www.discoveryeducation.com. Discovery Education Resources Learn More about the Discovery Education Higher Education Network Contact: Susanne Thompson CGS Webinar recording:   Best Practices & Success Stories in Graduate Level Online Learning
	Duolingo is the most popular language-learning platform and the most downloaded education app in the world, with more than 300 million users. The company’s mission is to make education free, fun, and accessible to all. In addition to its core platform, the company created the Duolingo English Test, an affordable and convenient language certification option that is accepted by thousands of institutions.  Duolingo Resources Duolingo English Test - Score Interpretation Contact: Ryan Munson  CGS Webinar recording:  English Language Assessment for Prospective International Graduate Students
	EAB partners with education leaders, practitioners, and staff to drive results across three key areas: enrollment management, student success, and institutional operations and strategy. EAB Resources 3 Key Strategies to Recruit Graduate, Online, and Adult Students Contact: Jocelyn Powers CGS Annual Meeting session recording:  Recruiting Adult Learners During the Pandemic: Research Insights for Graduate Leaders
	Digital Commons™ is Elsevier’s suite of best-in-class turnkey solutions for institutions to openly publish, manage and promote the full spectrum of their work. Over 600 institutions — and growing — use Digital Commons to preserve and promote their intellectual output and expertise.   Elsevier Resources Case Study: Serving Your Institution’s Strategic Goals with Your Repository Contact: Manisha Wolak
	At Liaison, we help higher education institutions identify, recruit, and enroll best-fit students with improved outreach, application, and enrollment processes.  Liaison Resources Download the newest edition of The Admissionist magazine Contact: Laura Nicole Miller CGS Annual Meeting session recording: Boosting Enrollment in a Competitive Market: How to Reach More Students without Breaking Your Budget
	Nature Portfolio is a flagship portfolio of journals, products and services, including Nature and the Nature journals. Nature Portfolio is part of Springer Nature, one of the world’s leading global research, educational and professional publishers.. Nature Resources Online collection of articles on mental health and well-being Contact: Nicole Wagener CGS Annual Meeting session recording:  State of Open Data 2020 The Impact of Covid 19
	Prodigy Finance has helped enroll over 21,000 international graduate students across 750+ schools. Our loans are a practical option for students to independently pay for their education without requiring co-signers, collateral, or credit history. Lack of funding access continues to be a barrier for talented students from emerging markets. Connect with us to discuss how we support these populations.  Prodigy Finance Resources Working with Prodigy - We collaborate with school administrators to share Prodigy Finance loans as an option for students with unmet funding needs. Working with Prodigy is free and requires no formal endorsement.   Contact: Molly Dineen
	Wiley Education Services, a division of Wiley, is a leading global provider of technology-enabled education solutions that meet the evolving needs of universities, corporations, and, ultimately, learners. We partner with more than 60 institutions across the U.S., Europe, and Australia, and support over 800 degree programs.       Wiley Resources      The Power of Flexible Partnership: Case Studies of a Diverse Group of Institutions Contact: Kathy MacGeorge  CGS Annual Meeting session recording:  Supporting Graduate Students in Times of Uncertainty
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	Beyond the Professoriate is a mission-driven organization that provides professional development to doctoral students, postdocs, and recent PhDs. We support graduate schools in their mission of preparing graduate students for careers after their degrees or postdocs. Beyond Prof Resources For Graduate Schools Contact: Maren Wood
	pd.education by DoctoralNet's mission is to provide top quality academic and professional development services to universities, inexpensively and at scale, through use of technology.  Video: A New Model for Remote Research Bootcamps Contact: Alana James, Michael Amaloo
	Founded in 1999, IELTS USA is the Los Angeles, California-based division of IELTS that manages acquisition of and customer relations with US organizations that accept the test, and is also responsible for increasing brand awareness and visibility among US higher education, government, and non-governmental agencies. IELTS is accepted by approx. 3,500 US institutions. Learn more at ielts.org/usa.  IELTS Quality and Fairness brochure Contact: Marianne Menius
	Student Select’s products apply cutting edge AI technology to improve both the university admissions process along with uncovering deeper insights surrounding the pool of applicants.  All of these tools are designed specifically to assist admissions leaders in making informed and timely decisions. Learn more at studentselect.ai. Contact: Tom Monaghan