The United States is home to some of the most prestigious and selective colleges and universities in the world. As a result, there is growing global competition for admission to these schools. That growth was stunted during the Donald Trump presidency but rebounded with the change of administrations. In 2022, there were over 1 million international students enrolled in American colleges and universities. This number is expected to continue to grow in the coming years.
There are several reasons why international students are drawn to the United States in addition to American colleges and universities consistently being ranked among the best in the world. With students from all over the world coming to the United States to study, colleges here also offer diverse and vibrant cultures. International students can come to the United States to experience a new way of life and learn about many different cultures while working on their degrees. Also, the US economy has been traditionally strong. After graduation, international students have the opportunity to find good jobs and build successful careers.
The competition for admission to elite American colleges is fierce no matter where on planet earth you happen to live. It is here that international students have a bit of an advantage on their American counterparts. At 81%, international students have a higher chance of being accepted to colleges in general compared to US students who have an admission rate of 77%.
This means that competition for seats in your local universities is not just between individuals of the hometown population. In addition to the other 49 states in the United States, competition is coming from all over the world. What students here in the United States must consider is that the overwhelming majority of international student have stellar academic records and standardized test scores. They also need to demonstrate that they have the financial resources to pay for their education so colleges know that they can afford the tuition costs that far exceed what US citizens are expected to pay. This factor alone makes the international applicant very attractive.
When evaluating your standing at the high school you attend, don’t relax just because you are near the top of your class. Remember that there are many thousands of other high schools in this country that have students performing at or above your level. After letting that thought sink in, add to that total an additional five percent to allow for all the international students, who are valedictorian-level college applicants, that will likely compete with you for admission to America’s best colleges.