US: Admissions decline first in five years

Offers of admission from US graduate schools to prospective international students decreased 3% from 2008 to 2009, the first decline since 2004, according to the Council of Graduate Schools. A survey report on admissions trends by the council shows that more than half of responding institutions reported a decrease in international offers of admission. There were 16% declines in offers to students from India and South Korea, after offers to students in each country fell 2% last year.

Although the survey also found a final one-year 4% increase in international applications, the total number of international applications received in 2009 remains 5% below 2003 levels. The council report includes findings on domestic student admissions trends: the change in domestic applications at responding graduate schools was a median 8% increase. Offers of admission to American students grew by a median 2%.

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The survey report can be accessed on the Council of Graduate Schools website – http://www.cgsnet.org/.