Columbia University is one of several elite institutions which has been embroiled in legal drama over the past few years, investigated by and making deals with the current US administration. There have been many different results springing from this; one of which is the subject of today’s article: new scrutiny of and questions for international students.ÌýThe road to college is always difficult for international students. Many colleges in the US welcome them, but often see them as a major revenue stream as well. The current administration changes its views on them regularly, and we have discussed some issues with visas for international students before. In this article, we’re going to look at what this deal with Columbia means for students applying there, and what it may mean for international admissions more broadly.Ìý
What Are Columbia’s New Questions for International Students
Based on reporting by Columbia’s , we have a good look inside the process at Columbia. While college officials are not always willing to answer our calls or questions, they tend to be much more available to students at their schools, and student newspapers often do excellent reporting work.
What specifically happened is that Columbia reached a settlement with the Department of Justice; like with many legal settlements, this had many separate components. One of these was to launch a comprehensive review of their admissions process for international students, and ask them why they want to study in the US. In order to comply with this, Columbia has now completed their review, and added this question to all applications for international students.
Students have fifty words to respond to this prompt. It isn’t an essay response like Columbia’s other questions, but still must be answered carefully and deliberately. Here is the exact phrasing of the question:
- Students can pursue a vast array of educational options all over the world. Given these choices, please share why you are interested in continuing your education at a university in the United States.
Interestingly, while only international students were included in the deal, domestic applicants to Columbia are also asked to answer this question; we’ll cover how you should answer it later in this article.
We are a bit late to the party noticing this, but Columbia has avoided publicizing it. It wasn’t listed on their collection of , nor does it show up on the page for .
At root for this new question is a mandate that Columbia reduce its financial dependence on international students. Columbia is the Ivy League school with the highest international student population by percentage; many of these are graduate students rather than undergrads, but it is likely why they are the ones dealing with this currently. The mandate to reduce financial reliance on international students is unfunded, but Columbia does appear to be trying to follow it.
How to Answer Columbia’s International Student Question
If you are an international student, this is likely something you have already had to think about. This question exactly parallels one asked in visa interviews, and is something you should be able to speak to. This does raise the question of why it’s important you be asked this question twice, but we’ll explore that later.
When answering this question, you want to be able to point to tangible benefits studying in the US will give you that you can’t get at home, but which don’t point to a deeper desire to emigrate to the US (even if that is among your goals). You don’t have to elaborate; with only fifty words to respond they aren’t really expecting you to.
Your answer should highlight what about US colleges and the college experience specifically will be beneficial for you. There are many possible answers to give; for Colubia especially highlighting the liberal arts learning experience is always viable, since most other university systems globally do not take this approach.
Interestingly, domestic students must also answer this question. This is likely to be easier for you, but you should still emphasize what’s particular about education in the US that appeals to you, from opportunities presented by the colleges themselves to simply wanting to stay a bit closer to home.
What This Question Means for International Applicants
There has been an increase in uncertainty for international applicants to US colleges, with delays in visa processing, an increase in rejections, and the occasional ban on visas for students from entire countries. This question, while small, feels like part of a much larger pattern designed to discourage international applicants from attending US colleges.
As this question has just been introduced by Columbia, we do not yet know how it will impact their admissions decisions, or if it will impact them at all. Indeed, this looks a lot like Columbia is checking a box that they have to, rather than eagerly implementing a new policy they stand behind.
In terms of specific impacts for students applying to Columbia, we anticipate this having few effects. There may be a slight curtail in the number of applicants, but we don’t anticipate Columbia rejecting students over this question. So long as you give a reasonable and considered answer, it’s just another piece of paperwork to fill out while applying.
The Broader Implications of this Question
A more interesting, and more concerning aspect of this question is that its inclusion in applications was part of Columbia’s deal with the federal government in the first place. This implies a continued federal interest in international applicants, and a desire to reduce or restrict the number of applicants attending US universities. This becomes all the more explicit with the mandate that Columbia reduce its financial reliance on international students.
This is very off putting for many international students, which may be part of the intent. It is uncertain whether or not these questions will spread to other colleges, but we would not be surprised if these kinds of deals are repeated, especially as the federal government continues issuing investigations into top universities.
What This Question Means for You
Where you choose to attend college is a highly personal choice, and a very important and weighty decision for many students. Policies like this, questions like this, can make international students feel particularly called out; as if they exist in a different class from all other students. One that, by all appearances, must justify their very existence.
This isn’t a good feeling, and we can fully understand if this makes you wish to reconsider applying to Columbia or other colleges which ask questions like this. Columbia does still actively recruit and seek out international students and talent; they were not the originators of this policy, but they did agree to implement it, and they are asking the question on their application.
If you are applying to US universities as an international student, you have likely already thought long and hard about why you want to attend college in the US. Indeed, you’ll have to answer this same question again when you do a visa interview. We can understand if it turns you off a particular university, but a great many colleges in the US highly value international students.
This is part of why we encourage students to do a lot of research on colleges when building their college list. A university’s culture and values can have a major impact on your time and experience there, for both good and ill. Asking a question like this doesn’t necessarily mean a school won’t be a good fit for you culturally, but it is still worth being aware of, and taking into consideration.
Final Thoughts
Applying to US colleges is always harder for international students; while most colleges don’t have official quotas, they do always admit more domestic students, and have higher barriers of entry for international applicants. On top of that, application requirements are not geared towards international students; everything from the SATs to English proficiency is another thing to keep track of, another box to check. This question is another thing on the pile, just one more piece to keep track of and paperwork to deal with for international students.
If you are looking for help finding the right US universities to welcome you as an international student, or guidance navigating an often overly-complex application process, then ³Ô¹Ï¹ÙÍø can help. Our mentors are experts in every aspect of college applications, and we love helping students from all over the globe find the right college to support their needs. Schedule a free consultation today to learn more about how we can help you.
