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.
 

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	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
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Figures

Figure 1. Total International Graduate Applications by Degree Type, Fall 2017 to Fall 2020 (PDF, Image)

Figure 2. First-time International Graduate Enrollment by Degree Type, Fall 2017 to Fall 2020 (PDF, Image)

Figure 3. Factors Institutions Believe are Associated with Increased International Student Deferrals (PDF, Image)

Figure 4. First-time Enrollment & Deferred Admissions of Chinese and Indian Nationals, Fall 2020 (PDF, Image)

Figure 5. One-year Change in International Graduate Applications & First-time Enrollment by Selected Country & Region of Origin between Fall 2019 and Fall 2020 (PDF, Image)

Annual Changes Between Fall 2015 and Fall 2020 Admission Cycles

Table A.1 Annual Changes in Final International Graduate Applications by Region/Country of Origin, Fall 2015 to Fall 2020 Admission Cycles (PDF, Excel, Image)

Table A.2 Annual Changes in First-time International Graduate Enrollment by Region/Country of Origin, Fall 2015 to Fall 2020 Admission Cycles (PDF, Excel, Image)

Table A.3 Annual Changes in Final International Graduate Applications by Field of Study, Fall 2015 to Fall 2020 Admission Cycles (PDF, Excel, Image)

Table A.4 Annual Changes in First-time International Graduate Enrollment by Field of Study, Fall 2015 to Fall 2020 Admission Cycles (PDF, Excel, Image)

Fall 2020 International Graduate Admissions Data by Region/Country of Origin

Table B.1 Final International Graduate Applications by Region/Country of Origin, Fall 2020 Admission Cycle (PDF, Excel, Image)

Table B.2 Offers of Admission to International Graduate Applicants by Region/Country of Origin, Fall 2020 Admission Cycle (PDF, Excel, Image)

Table B.3 First-time International Graduate Enrollment by Region/Country of Origin, Fall 2020 Admission Cycle (PDF, Excel, Image)

Table B.4 Deferred Admissions and First-time International Graduate Enrollment as Percentage Shares of Offers of Admission by Region/Country of Origin, Fall 2020 Admission Cycle (PDF, Excel, Image)

Table B.5 Total International Graduate Enrollment by Region/Country of Origin, Fall 2020 Admission Cycle (PDF, Excel, Image)

Fall 2020 International Graduate Admissions Data by Field of Study

Table C.1 Final International Graduate Applications by Field of Study, Fall 2020 Admission Cycle (PDF, Excel, Image)

Table C.2 Offers of Admission to International Graduate Applicants by Field of Study, Fall 2020 Admission Cycle (PDF, Excel, Image)

Table C.3 First-time International Graduate Enrollment by Field of Study, Fall 2020 Admission Cycle (PDF, Excel, Image)

Table C.4 Deferred Admissions and First-time International Graduate Enrollment as Percentage Shares of Offers of Admission by Field of Study, Fall 2020 Admission Cycle (PDF, Excel, Image)

Table C.5 Total International Graduate Enrollment by Field of Study, Fall 2020 Admission Cycle (PDF, Excel, Image)

Table D.1 Characteristics of Institutions with Valid Responses for the Fall 2020 First-time Enrollment (PDF, Excel, Image)

Table D.2 Characteristics of Institutions with Valid Responses for the Fall 2019 and Fall 2020 First-time Enrollment (PDF, Excel, Image)

Universities and regional organizations of graduate schools are launching 3MT® competitions to help prepare graduate students to communicate the value of their research to a broad audience. This virtual event showcased the winners of regional competitions and concluded with a roundtable discussion and People’s Choice award. Students reflected on their experiences, offering insights that can help graduate schools develop successful 3MT® competitions-- even in virtual environments-- and other programs designed to hone students’ communication skills.

This event was moderated by Andrea Golato, Dean of the Graduate College, Texas State University

Virtual 3MT® Showcase support provided by ProQuest.