The number of applicants to American business schools is getting smaller and smaller?

American business majors have always been sought after by international students. Experts say that the decline in the number of business school applicants in the United States means that applicants have better admission opportunities. There are fewer and fewer people applying to American business schools. What will happen? Please read my introduction.

According to a recent survey by the Graduate Management Admission Council, the demand for business school education in the United States has declined in the past year-compared with 20 17 years, the number of applicants for graduate business programs in the United States decreased by about 1000 in 20 1008, with the largest decline being international.

Among the 405 American business schools that participated in the USNew survey, the total number of applications received by business schools in 20 18 was 6.6% lower than that in 20 17. In contrast, from 20 17 to 20 18, the number of applicants for business school programs outside the United States increased, with 8.8% for Asian programs, 7.7% for Canadian programs and 3.2% for European programs.

Among the 400 graduate programs of American business schools that reported the number of domestic and international applications received, the total number of international applications decreased by 10.5% compared with the previous year. The domestic applications of these institutions have also decreased, but the magnitude is not significant: by 65,438+0.8%.

Bill, Dean of Fuka Business School of Duke University and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Graduate Management Admissions Committee? Paulding said that one notable aspect of the decline in the number of applicants was that it affected not only the middle-ranking business schools, but also the highest-ranking business schools.

He said: "One of the major changes we have seen this year is that the number of applicants from business schools such as Duke, Harvard, Wharton and Stanford has dropped."

Why is this happening?

Hot American job market. Geoffrey Basye, director of media relations at the Graduate Management Admission Council, said that the improvement of the American economy has increased the opportunity cost for American workers to attend business schools, which is higher than when the economic situation is not so good. "From the perspective of the United States, historically, the number of applicants for American business schools has been contrary to the economic cycle," Brazil wrote in an email. "When the unemployment rate is high or unemployed, people usually go back to school. In a period of full employment or rapid growth of gross domestic product (GDP), such as now, the opportunity cost of giving up work and returning to school will be higher. "

Politics. "From an international perspective, negative views on the political environment in the United States continue to hinder some students," Basier wrote. "A number of surveys from the autumn of 20 16 to the autumn of 20 18 show that due to the current environment, about 40% of potential students reconsider studying for a degree in the United States."

Busyer wrote that around the world, new business schools outside American universities are offering more and more graduate business programs, which means that students have more and more choices outside American business schools. "Graduate management education continues to develop globally, providing more choices for applicants outside the United States."

Cost problem. Alexander, Executive Director of the Master of Financial Analysis Program at Gordon College? Alexander Lowry said that the cost of the two-year MBA program is an obstacle for many future business students, which leads some cost-conscious students to choose to study for a master's degree in business instead of an MBA.

"Young people no longer want to spend so much time and money in graduate school-they now prefer fast and more affordable one-year alternative programs," Lori wrote in an email. But for those who are determined to pursue the traditional MBA, this is the best time to apply for top business schools for many years. The fewer applicants, the better the chance of winning. "

Changes in American immigration policy. Bolding said that the biggest reason for the decline in the number of applicants for graduate business schools in the United States is the change of federal immigration policy, which makes international students reluctant to apply for business schools in the United States.

He said: "The question is, if you want to pay for education in the United States, can you stay in the United States and get paid after graduation?"

How will this affect a typical American business school applicant?

MBA admissions experts say that the decline in the number of applicants from American business schools means that the enrollment process of these schools will not be as competitive as in the past. However, experts warn that the higher the ranking of MBA programs in the United States, the more critical they are when choosing students. Therefore, even if it is a little easier to enter these institutions now than before, we should be prepared for the difficulty of applying.

Shai Farley, founder and CEO of Ivy Groupe, an admissions consulting firm? Shaifali Aggarwal said: "I think these schools are very competitive, and it is still extremely important to maintain this mentality when applying."

Business school admissions experts said that compared with the lower-ranked business schools, the top-ranked business schools were less affected by the decline in the number of applicants.

Lindsay Badeaux, senior assistant director of admissions at the University of Chicago's Booth School of Business and ivy wise MBA admissions consultant, wrote in an email, "I don't think we will see much change in top-level projects. "They may continue to attract the best talents, maintain a competitive number of applicants and have a low admission rate. Second-tier business schools and smaller MBA programs will be more affected. Therefore, applicants should continue to work hard to list a list of realistic goals, target schools and possible schools according to their specific background and goals. "

Bardos said that the sharp decline in international interest in American business schools means that these business schools are eager to recruit international students. "The number of international students applying to most American schools is declining, so this year will be a good time to apply for students outside the United States," he said. "Among the highly competitive applicants, international applicants may be more prominent than usual."

Mark, MBA Admissions Director of Schadler Business School, University of Hawaii at Manoa? Marc Endrigat said that when there are not enough applicants, business schools tend to ignore the weaknesses of some applicants.

Ender Rigat wrote in an e-mail: "Most MBA programs have enrollment goals that are most suitable for their specific projects/teaching styles/cultures, so the lack of appropriate figures may lead to some' room for manoeuvre' in enrollment standards. If an applicant does not stand out from the waiting list of many applications within one year, he will certainly become a more competitive applicant if the same project is slightly lower than the enrollment target. "

Andrew Rigat added that business schools tend to offer scholarships more generously in years when they don't receive a large number of applications. In an e-mail, he wrote: "In a competitive application year, applicants may get little or no scholarships, but on the other hand, they may find that in a year with fewer applicants, the tuition fees for MBA programs are much cheaper than at other times through scholarships."

In the end, he said, business school applicants may perform better in the one-year admission process because fewer people can compete with them. He wrote: "In essence, a basic concept of business school applies to business school applications-if the supply is high and the demand is low, this usually applies to consumers. As far as MBA programs are concerned, consumers refer to applicants. "