international students in iowa linda serra hagedorn, ph.d. associate dean – college of human...
TRANSCRIPT
International Students in Iowa
Linda Serra Hagedorn, Ph.D.
Associate Dean – College of Human Sciences
Professor – School of Education
Overview
• The presentation will provide background:– The numbers of International students in the USA
and specific in Iowa– Why students come to the USA and specific to
Iowa
• Issues pertaining to international students with a focus on Chinese students. – Shadow education– Allegations of cheating to gain admission – Other issues
What About Iowa?Type of Student: Number:
Undergraduate students
2,364
Graduate students 1,157
Non-Degree students
128
Medical Residents/Fellows & Post-Doctorals
294
Iowa Intensive English Program
62
Students in post-graduate training
355
Total: 4,360
Total students=35,05710% International
Iowa State University
Country Number of Countries
Number of Students
Africa 23 108
Asia 35 3,496
Europe 27 120
North America 7 83
Oceania 2 23
South America
9 140
TOTAL 110 3,980
Iowa Private Colleges and Universities
• Almost all accept international students
• Wartburg College 14%
• Grinnell College 13%
• Graceland University-Lamoni 5%
• Buena Vista University 4%
• Loras College 1%
Motivations to Study Abroad
• Reputation– USA is the top destination in the world
• Of the top 50 universities in the world, 27 are in the USA
– State of Iowa• May not be a first choice
– Regents are among the most affordable universities among peer institutions
– Great college towns
– Safety
– Cost of living
– Reputations
– Word of mouth
Fear of the Chinese National Exam
• The Gaokao
• Intense study
• Choice of Gaokao or “other”– SAT or ACT– “Brain Drain”
Gaokao
• 9.8 million students took the 2-day exam in 2014
• Gaokao determines– Which college– What major
Costs
• Cost of US postsecondary study is “out of reach” for most Chinese families– the average annual salary of a worker in China
was 28,752 yuan (about $4,755) in 2012, or 38% of the global average.
• Filial piety– “Payback” from adult children
Difficulty taking the SAT/ACT
• Chinese government does not allow American admission tests
• Closest test centers– Korea, Vietnam, Hong Kong
Agents
• Third party mediator– University choice– University applications– Visa procedures – Admission tests
• Widespread use– Estimate 60%
• Issues– False documents
Shadow Education
• Activities outside of school that mimic (shadow) activities performed in school. – Tutoring– Special Classes– Test Prep– Private lessons– Arts-based instruction
• Widespread– Estimates 75% but
anecdotally higher
• Global Access Certificate• Kumon
Cheating and “Cheating”
• According to Zinch China (2010) – “90% of recommendation letters are forged”– 70% of essays are not written by the student– 50% of transcripts are altered (Forbes, 2010)
• Studying to take a test versus studying the test
American Admissions
• It is almost impossible to find data related to who applies and who is accepted at America’s top universities (Espenshade & Radford, 2009)
• Interviews with 14 Iowa Postsecondary institutions– No special considerations or policies related
to applications from China
Iowa Colleges and Universities
• Regents do not require letters of recommendation or interview– Some privates do require both
• Difficult to separate “cheaters” from other applications
• Most applicants work with an agent
Regents
• Accept ALL applicants who meet the admission criteria– Minimum ACT/SAT– English Proficiency – Appropriate financial records
Iowa Private Liberal Arts Colleges
• No quotas or targets
• Some work with agencies
• Some require an interview (Skype)
Messages
Warm Welcome• Out of State
Tuition
• Diversity
• International perspective
Cool Doorstep• Bias
• Emphases on American students
• No coordinated recruitment strategies for international students