Experts in College Admissions Share Insights on Harvard's Decision to Deny Admission to International Students online due to COVID-19 pandemic
International students ponder their options after the Trump administration's proposed regulation targeting Harvard University's enrollment of foreign students. As the legal battle between the administration and the prestigious institution unfolds, top admissions consultants offer advice to aspiring international students.
Petia Whitmore, founder of My MBA Path, shares her concerns about the potential narrowing of opportunities for future applicants. In a message exchanged on LinkedIn, Whitmore expressed, "I am deeply invested in ensuring others can continue to access the same paths through U.S. education that shaped my life and career." Though Whitmore acknowledges the uncertain future ahead, she urges students to diversify their school and career strategies, encompassing both the U.S. and European universities.
Arvind Kumar, founder of admitStreet in Bengaluru, advocates for a cautiously optimistic approach amidst the uncertainty. Through WhatsApp correspondence, Kumar advises students to consider a balanced mix of programs across the U.S. and European Union, aligning their choices with both short- and long-term career aspirations and geographic preferences. Kumar speculates that the U.S. may be experiencing a more serious and lasting chill in the psyche of international students, potentially affecting a broader spectrum of American universities over time.
Candy Lee LaBalle, founder of mbaClarity in Madrid, expresses "heartbreak" at the prospect of the revised visa policy impacting the opportunities of international students. In a WhatsApp exchange with the author, LaBalle admits to having a panic attack upon learning about the Trump administration's regulation but remains optimistic about the prospect of a favorable outcome in the coming court hearing.
Admissions Gateway in Gurgaon has seen 35 international students accepted into Harvard Business School this year. Founder Rajdeep Chimni advises students to stay calm and focus on factors within their control ahead of the May 29th court hearing, emphasizing that Harvard remains supportive of its international students. The school has also extended the option to defer admission to the class of 2028 to any international student unable to enroll due to visa issues.
It is essential for international students to assess alternatives should they face challenges in the U.S. Top universities offering appealing academic opportunities for international students include the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Stanford University, University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley), University of Michigan, University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, ETH Zurich, and Imperial College London.
- "In light of the proposed regulation on international student visas by the Trump administration and its potential impact on Harvard University, Petia Whitmore, one of the top admissions consultants from My MBA Path, advises aspiring students to consider a diverse mix of universities in both the United States and Europe as part of their long-term career and education strategies."
- "Candy Lee LaBalle, founder of mbaClarity in Madrid and another top admissions consultant, urges international students to be mindful of possible alternatives in education-and-self-development, considering prestigious universities such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Stanford University, University of Cambridge, ETH Zurich, and Imperial College London in addition to the United States in case they encounter challenges with student visas."
