The United States boasts some of the best universities in the world, and the list of top colleges globally, though sometimes questioned on its methodology, is replete with US institutions. This causes many international students to want to study in the US. But why do American colleges want to recruit international students?
In this article, we’ll examine the various reasons why US colleges want international students on their campus. If you want more practical advice on how to go about applying to a US institution as an international student, see our guide for international students, and our guide to English proficiency testing. We will include strategic advice in this article as well, to help guide your search. We’ll finish with how colleges evaluate international students. Let’s get started!
Reason 1: Money
This is a reason colleges won’t tell you, as it’s something they are, on some level, not entirely proud of. Universities prefer to focus on the other reasons they want international students; these are all legitimate, and we will cover them later in this very article. The biggest reason international students are so highly sought by US universities though, is the tuition dollars they bring in.
Colleges are increasingly facing budgetary restrictions, as funding from state and federal sources has been decreased, or is otherwise not keeping pace with inflation. Schools then turn to tuition to fill this budgetary gap; raising prices and looking for new sources of tuition revenue. The biggest new source they have found: international students.
Colleges won’t say this explicitly on their websites or in recruitment emails, but in their internal communications and reports, it is mentioned as a motivation for increasing international enrollment. We aren’t a college, so we have no problem just telling you this directly.
This can and should impact your strategy when applying to colleges as an international student. First, you should never expect financial aid. A very limited number of colleges offer need-based aid to international students, and some schools don’t offer merit aid either.
Second, you will always count as an out-of-state student if you are applying to a public college, and will have to pay the higher tuition cost. Public colleges also will not offer need based aid, and have limited merit aid for international students. This means that the standard advice, to apply to public colleges for cost savings, does not apply to international students.
When you are building your college list, assume you will be asked to pay full tuition for every school you apply to. This will put attending a college in the US out of reach for many students. We want you to be aware of this ahead of time, so you go into the process with your eyes open.
Reason 2: Diversity
When colleges talk about diversity, they mean it in several ways. One of those ways is a diversity of experience, and another is geographic diversity. Both of these are key reasons they want to recruit international students.
Diversity of experience allows for students to bring different perspectives to campus, and contribute in meaningful ways to class and social discussions. This is highly sought by colleges, especially those going for the liberal arts experience, who view college as more than just preparation for a job, but as a way to prepare people to live and work in an increasingly interconnected and global economy.
Interacting with students from different backgrounds enables all students to consider new perspectives, and to see the world in different lights. While international students are not the only way colleges try to draw on diverse beliefs, they are a key component of it.
This can impact your application. In your essays, you should emphasize what unique experiences, background, or talents you have (as all students should). Many colleges ask about your community or diversity in essays; this is a great chance to talk about yourself, and the world you come from.
We recommend avoiding cliches, and being careful to highlight anything that sets you apart. As an international student, your application will be compared with all other international students, so you need to stand out from this collective. Above all, be honest and authentic to who you are.
Reason 3: Cachet
Colleges have a certain pride in being able to recruit students from around the world. The Ivy Leagues, and other top schools, will often brag on their websites about the number of countries around the world who are represented on their campus.
This is not a stated reason; colleges refer to it as geographic diversity more often, but just as top colleges brag about recruiting students from all fifty states, so too will they brag about being able to recruit students from countries across the globe. This is more of a factor at top universities, who draw the best recruits.
This can impact your application, and your odds of acceptance. While schools do not have quotas on country acceptances, it is harder to gain acceptance as a student from China or India, as these are the countries which send the most international students to the US.
While there are no quotas, your application is evaluated in light of all the other applications that admissions officers read. This means that students from less represented countries will stand out more automatically. While they still need to meet the same high admissions standards, a student from Mongolia may have an easier time gaining acceptance overall.
We don’t want to discourage you from applying, but do want you to be aware of this potential hurdle. You should make sure to include plenty of safety schools if your heart is set on attending a US university.
How Colleges Evaluate International Students
Now that we’ve covered the main reasons why colleges want international students, we’ll discuss a bit of how your applications are evaluated by colleges. Generally, this process parallels domestic students, but it differs in a few key areas.
English Proficiency
If your high school education was not conducted in English, then you will be expected to prove that you are fluent when you apply. This is done through English proficiency exams, notably TOEFL and IELTS (we discuss these in more detail in our article on the subject). The Duolingo examination is increasingly accepted as well.
If you are from a country where English is commonly spoken, such as the UK or Australia, then you do not need to prove your fluency. If you went to a highschool where the majority of instruction was in English, you may be required to prove English proficiency anyway, as this varies by college. Make sure to read admissions requirements carefully.
Ability to Pay
Most colleges are need aware for international students. This means that they will take into account your ability to pay when making their admissions decisions. We list the colleges that don’t in this article, but they are in the minority. Thus when you apply to colleges, you may be rejected if you do not have the financial resources to afford the cost of tuition.
The International Pool
Colleges initially read applications in pools which are separated by region; for most schools all international students are grouped into a single pool. Some colleges which receive an exceptionally high number of international applicants further subdivide this into regions. This means your application will be read in the context of, and compared to, that of all other international applicants that year.
Many schools also cap the number of international students they admit, either due to a strict legal quota, such at UT Austin, or because they set aside the majority of seats for domestic students. International admissions is therefore often far more competitive than domestic.
Final Thoughts
International students are an increasingly key component of student bodies at US colleges, and many colleges are increasing their efforts to attract and recruit international students. We hope that this article has clarified why colleges like international students, and how they evaluate them when they apply.
Of course, US colleges have a complex application process, one which is distinct globally. This can trip up many students who are otherwise eager to apply to US colleges. If you want help navigating the complexities of college admissions, schedule a free consultation today to learn how we can help you. We’ve worked with students from all over the world apply to US colleges, and are always happy to help you on your collegiate journey.
