American University, Washington, DC Webinar for U.S. High School Counselors with Students on F, J, & Diplomatic Visas

Transcription

1 American University, Washington, DC Webinar for U.S. High School Counselors with Students on F, J, & Diplomatic Visas Presenter: Evelyn Levinson, Director of International Admissions 2015 NAFSA Award Recipient for International Enrollment Management

2 Are you faced with any of the following? Dramatic increase in international students (F, J, and diplomatic visas) at your high school in the past few years Limited resources for support & training services (ESL, designated director of international students, housing, SEVP/SEVIS compliance, cross-cultural sensitivity training, teaching non-native speakers) Managing international student and family expectations Understanding U.S. universities differing admission requirements for international applicants Helping international high school students overcome challenges & market their strengths

3 You are not alone! According to the IIE Center for Academic Mobility Research and Impact ( The number of international secondary students in the U.S. more than tripled from 2004 to % (almost 60,000) F-1 students in U.S. high schools as of 2016 plan to enroll in U.S. higher education institutions after secondary studies Top 6 sending countries of origin for F-1 students in 2016: China, South Korea, Vietnam, Mexico, Japan, & Canada

4 Where do Int l Secondary Students Study? By type of school, 2016: 94% study in private high schools (boarding schools, schools with religious affiliations, private day schools with home stays) Top 10 U.S. states, 2016: California, NY, Massachusetts, Florida, Pennsylvania, Texas, Connecticut, NJ, Virginia, Michigan By host countries, 2016: U.S. (81,981), Canada (44,510), UK (27,633), Australia (22,265)

5 AU International Applicants Inside the U.S

6 The AU Response Currently in Place Analyze data to identify domestic high schools with international students Target visits to domestic high schools with high % of international students Train domestic admissions colleagues on TOEFL/IELTS, SAT/ACT/Test Optional, China credentials, overview of F visa regulations, SEVIS Assign 1 international admissions liaison to each of the 3 domestic admissions team International team outreach to U.S. high school counselors with growing numbers of international applicants (on-campus workshops, webinars, presentations at 2017 NACAC Pre-Conference Workshop) Include specific guidelines and resources for international applicants and counselors from U.S. high schools in domestic admissions materials Create virtual counselor resource corner (

7 The AU Response Recommendations for the Near Future. Increase outreach: Domestic admissions staff identify at least one opportunity to reach out to international high school students within their territories (i.e. visit ESL center, meet school counselor/staff member responsible for international students, connect with U.S.-based independent counselors who work with international students inside U.S.) Host counselors: Invite U.S. school counselors with larger numbers of internationals to special events during fall or spring domestic travel Host more panels of current AU international students prior to fall & spring travel to help domestic team colleagues better understand and articulate international experiences and opportunities at AU to counselors and international prospects in their territories Visits with domestic team to local 2-year colleges to create international transfer pipeline

8 Top Five Factors in the Admission Decision for International Students (per NACAC s fall 2016 Admission Trend Surveys) # 1 English proficiency exam scores # 2 - Grades in college prep courses # 3 Grades in all subjects # 4 Curriculum strength (rigor) # 5 Admission test scores

9 What application components most predict academic success of international students at a U.S. Institution? (per survey of U.S. universities for NAFSA 2015 presentation, Anne Corriveau, BU) 55% - GPA 50% - Academic Rigor 50% - English proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS) 18% - Standardized Testing 9% - Essay

10 Additional indicators that predict academic success for American University, Washington, DC Number of years at the U.S. high school Which year did student transition to the U.S.? (9 th /10 th vs 11 th grade?) Rigor of current and previous secondary school systems Grades in English subjects on transcripts Consistency of English proficiency sub-scores ESL taken or not Leadership, community service, involvement, transition ease /phone communications with admissions officer

11 Tips on How to Build College Lists Good fit vs Rankings only DO s: Consider academics: majors, accreditation (professional), selectivity, program structure, student-faculty ratio, class size, admit rate Consider quality of life: costs, housing, size, location, safety, international diversity, campus life Check student retention data and graduation outcomes Calculate expenses realistically Review application requirements, deadlines, testing policies, scholarship policies carefully Showcase the diverse university selections of your international alumni; create a mentoring team of recent international graduates DON Ts: Rely solely on rankings or school name for shortlist or final choice Forget to factor in good fit and campus life Make choices with doing thorough research first

12 Our Student Body Undergraduates: 7,234 Graduate and Law: 5,082 Total: 12,316 Over 1,400 international students & U.S. citizen Global Nomads from 144 countries call AU home.

13 Our Our Classroom Student-Faculty Ratio: 12:1 Average Class Size: 23 94% of our faculty have the highest degree in their fields; 3% are international scholars international scholars

14 Academic Options Students choose from. 60+ majors, 50+ minors 70+ programs 40+ combined BA/MA programs 3-year BA programs: Global Scholars, Public Health, Politics, Policy and Law Scholars Or they create their own interdisciplinary major!

15 ACTIVITIES 200+ CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS 38 ACTIVE FRATERNITIES AND SORORITIES LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS COMMUNITY SERVICE

16 AU Graduation Outcomes (Class of 2016 Census) 90% of graduates participated in at least one internship before graduation 92% of graduates were employed, enrolled in graduate school, or both, within six months of graduation 88% of graduates who are working hold jobs related to their degree

17 Application Options Early Decision I: Deadline: November 15 Notification: December 31 Early Decision II: Deadline: January 15 Notification: February 15 Regular Decision: Deadline: January 15 Notification: April 1

18 Application Checklist A complete application packet for F-1 & J-1 students applying from high schools inside the U.S. must include: Completed Common/Coalition application form including essay, CV/resume Writing supplement (Optional) Official transcripts (9 th -12 th grades) for ALL institutions attended and certified English translations, if applicable Two academic letters of recommendation Demonstrated English proficiency (details coming up!) AU Certification of Finances (CFIS) form* Bank letter (not bank statement, proof of salary, bond or stock value, property value) showing at least US$64,707* SAT/ACT scores (if not Test Optional) more on this coming up! US$70 application fee (no waivers) *Only for students who need a student visa (F or J)

19 Who Does NOT need to show finances? Any non F-1 or J-1 international student (A-1, H-2, G-4, L-2, A-2, F-2, etc) Permanent Resident (P-R) or Green Card holder Pending Permanent Resident (PPR) Undocumented students Deferred Action (DACA) Political Asylees

20 English Proficiency Required for all F-1 and J-1 students by Department of Homeland Security in order to receive AU I-20 or DS-2019 Via testing (one of the following): TOEFL ibt minimum score of 80 with each sub-score >20 (90 ibt preferred) TOEFL paper-based score of 550 (if taken prior to May 31, 2017) or all sub-scores 20 or higher (taken after May 31, 2017) IELTS composite score of 6.5, with each sub-score 6.0 or higher PTE score of 53 SAT Critical Reading 530 or above ACT English Score 23 or above Or

21 English Proficiency Required for all F-1 and J-1 students by Department of Homeland Security in order to receive AU I-20 or DS-2019 Via Curriculum: Four years of study (grades 9, 10, 11, and 12 or equivalent) in U.S.-accredited or IB, CXC, or UK curricula (inside/outside the U.S.) where English is the only medium of instruction AND no ESL courses have been taken Four years of study (grades 9, 10, 11, and 12 or equivalent) in selected English-speaking countries* or in the educational systems of these countries* (regardless of location) where English is the only medium of instruction AND no ESL courses have been taken *English speaking countries include: US, UK, Ireland, Scotland, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada (except Quebec)

22 SAT/ACT or Test Optional for AU? It depends on various factors: The SAT or ACT is required of all applicants, including international students, who are graduating high school inside the U.S. unless student chooses to go Test Optional for standardized testing Test Optional does not refer to proof of English proficiency. F-1 & J-1 students must still prove English proficiency through TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, etc. Test Optional does not put students at a disadvantage for admissions consideration, as long as other application components are strong When to consider Test Optional for your international student: Less than 4 years in an all-english curriculum Very recent transition to English-language curriculum Completed many ESL classes at a U.S. high school TOEFL, IELTS, PTE scores are at the low end of AU s minimum requirements

23 Undergraduate Cost Guide Academic year estimate (based on 9 months), subject to approximate 3% annual increase $45,808 Tuition $ 547 Mandatory fees $ 9,898 Room/double occupancy $ 4,804 Board (meal plan) $ 800 Books $ 1,750 Health Insurance $ 1,100 Personal US$64,707 Total

24 Undergraduate Scholarships for International Students Limited and competitive Merit (not need) based Partial: $8,000-$20,000 per academic year (estimated) No separate application or process is required Students must demonstrate full minimum amount of US$64,707 on AU CFIS form & bank letter by application deadline even if they hope to receive partial merit-based scholarships AU Emerging Global Leader Scholarship (AU EGLS) Covers all billable AU expenses (approximately $61,000/year) for ONE outstanding international first-year freshman student who is dedicated to positive civic and social change. (Over 1,200 applications each year for this one scholarship)

25 AU Resources for Financial Planning! Includes information for international students on F and J visas Tips, strategies, and guidance for prospective students and families: Ideas and resources for admitted students: U.S. State Department webinar re. fiscal planning for U.S. university study:

26 Resources for you! Part 1 State, regional, and annual conferences Member Interest Group (MIG) for secondary school counselors ( ISSS Knowledge Community (KC): F, J, SEVIS, DSO training & updates International Enrollment Management KC: Credentials, ESL, admissions trends, IEM strategies, resources ( NAFSA Guide to International Recruitment Charting New Pathways to Higher Education: International Secondary Students in the U.S. Globally Mobile Youth: Trends in International Secondary Students in the U.S., , August Engage with Affiliate ACACs International Student Programming at NACAC fairs/conferences International Counselor Toolkit:

27 Resources for you! Part 2 International Association for College Admission Counseling Council of International Schools Credentials evaluation organizations (sample list) The Association of Boarding Schools U.S. State Department site with objective information & resources on all aspects of U.S. higher education including the application process cfm Virtual resource corner for school counselors. Contains both AU and generic international education resources, PDFs, links, webinars.

28 QUESTIONS? Thank you and good luck! Evelyn Levinson, Director, International Admissions American University #YouAreWelcomeHere: