How Community Colleges Could Boost Student Numbers And Revenue To The USA

Despite dramatic decreases in both revenue and numbers of undergraduate students in US colleges and universities over the past few years, we believe the numbers will return to previous years’ records, plus a 40% increase as well. According to AACC and Columbia University, roughly 42-45% of America’s baccalaureate students start at a community college. They attend community colleges first because of convenience, cost savings, small classes, and having more time to think about their final choice of universities. Community colleges for the most part have given them just that plus something unique in America: freshman and sophomore credit transfer to a university of their choice and a customised application process specifically for transfer by eliminating requirements such as TOEFL/IELTS, SAT/ACT and, in many universities, high school transcripts. Some universities have worked out articulation agreements with community colleges where, provided that all of the transfer admission criteria have been met, students may get a guaranteed admission as a junior when they apply as a transferred student. “For years we have focused on dispelling the myths regarding community colleges” Take my three colleges for example, San Mateo Colleges of Silicon Valley have agreements with over 150 universities in our network called College University Partnership, which vastly increases the choices of guaranteed admission. This contributed to our high rankings by IIE three years in a row (#14 in 2020). Reasons for attending a community college as a freshman before transferring to a university as a junior should not be special or reserved for the US students only. But in reality, less than 5% of international bachelor degree students in the US who enroll in a community college use this opportunity, or are even aware of it, herein an issue of equal opportunity. Most only know and attempt the extremely competitive process of applying directly to their dream university. High admission selectivity means high failures, thus leaving many broken dreams, traumatised youngsters whose university denial will mar them for the rest of their lives. In fact, those international students desiring a bachelor’s degree aren’t all that different from American students. And they should leverage the opportunity. This is our argument that the overall numbers of international students in America may increase from 5% to as much as 40%. The challenges for accomplishing this increase are real: 1. The concept of community colleges is difficult to explain 2. Transfer officers of universities do not travel outside the USA to promote their work as freshmen admissions officers do 3. Attending a community college is not considered as baccalaureate study 4. There is no ranking for community colleges, therefore, to go through a community college to get to universities like UC Berkeley seems too good to be true 5. If you step on an international high school campus, you see and hear universities, particularly the famous ones to a fault 6. Parents equate low tuition of community colleges to low quality 7. Agents have to make efforts to overcome the above and they have to get volume 8. Agents think the lifecycle of a community college student is more complex than university referrals

For years we have focused on dispelling the myths regarding community colleges and have conducted extensive outreach to address these misconceptions. For example, we would bring transfer officials from universities to travel with our colleges on the road. These co-presentations were much more convincing to students and parents as they were hearing directly from the university regarding university transfer admissions. We have also conducted on the ground and online webinars to distribute the data and testimonials of successful transfers. We include in our presentation that 30% of the junior class at UC Berkeley and roughly 60% at CSU campuses are transfer students. In the end, we realised that an effective way of increasing international community college enrolments lies in how we position ourselves and how we describe what we do. We decided to position ourselves as providing college courses for students to earn credits and to compare and contrast them with AP and IB. This reduced the concerns and baggage associated with attending a community college for two years in order to transfer. Due to articulation, the courses are the same as those offered by a university, except that tuition is much cheaper. Furthermore, our courses are taught by American professors. The students experience true American classroom learning prior to entering an American university. And in our case, if there is any doubt about the quality of courses, credit transfer, or even guaranteed University Transfer Admissions, they can consult with the 150 universities in our CUP network. This way, a student may choose to take some courses from us for many purposes other than transferring and if they accumulate enough credits, we can discuss university transfer admissions with them. Small, but firm steps before the giant leap. We also championed the term of UTA to describe what community colleges do and compare it to the only other way of getting a bachelor’s degree, which is University Freshmen Admission. This way, it eliminates the confusion caused by a myriad of ways to describe the role of community colleges, such as pathway, 1+1+2, 2+2, bridge studies, etc. When UTA and UFA are presented side by side, it allows people to see community colleges as equal partners to universities with the same purpose and outcomes. UTA compliments UFA. Back in 2018, we had already started our “credit learning” approach because we believed that a large number of students abroad may not get the opportunity to come to the US but would still like to take our online classes to enrich their portfolio, to earn points on their domestic university applications, and to substitute their high school or college courses with ours. “Countries are contemplating our online credit learning plus UTA programs as a way to reduce the expenses of their students” Some countries are contemplating our online credit learning plus UTA programs as a way to reduce the expenses of their students obtaining a US bachelor’s degree. Covid helped our colleges to expedite our online credit learning program referred to as Global Online Learning. We were ready when the world moved online. Our work has received the highest honour given to US exporters – the President’s E-award that was started by president John F. Kennedy. By advocating fairly and enthusiastically the benefits of community colleges to foreign applicants, adopting the right combination of strategies, and being inclusive, community colleges indeed help universities to increase their student diversity and population. The eventual numbers will of course be in a range left and right of 40% but the future is bright and promising!

Int’l Students Face “Profound” Mental Health Concerns

International students are facing “profound problems” with their mental health where they have had to return to their home countries, international education stakeholders have told The PIE News. In a set of interviews that took place as part of the PIE Perspectives video series, stakeholders explained that in some cases, students have had to return home at short notice without their medication and have had vital counselling services disrupted. Stakeholders also told The PIE that varying cultural views on mental health mean it can be difficult to assess if a student is in urgent need of support. “It could be that they’ve left without their medication”

“We’ve found ourselves [in a situation] where our international students have had to very often and very suddenly return back to their home countries,” said Douglas Little, project manager of international student mental health at the University of Nottingham. “This has created some profound problems for them. So for example, if they are currently receiving formal treatment for mental health conditions it could be that they’ve left without their medication, it could be that they have left partway through their counselling therapy and there particular challenges for universities around their student well being,” he said. Elizabeth Kumbhari, vice president of professional exchange programs and legal counsel at Cultural Vistas explained that mental health can be a challenge with international students because cultures view mental health concerns in different ways. “Individuals raise their hand or ask for help, in varying levels and in varying ways, sometimes in urgency… So an organisation like ours may receive an email from a participant that says ‘I’m feeling kind of down right now and that may mean they are very depressed. “Or we could receive an email that says I need a counsellor right now and that may just mean that they’re kind of having a bad day,” Kumbhari said. Many students have faced financial hardship that has led to mental health problems. Last month The PIE reported that Indian students were suffering from severe mental health issues after they were evicted by private landlords. Executive committee member The European Students’ Union, Urša Leban, told The PIE students across Europe have lost their jobs and their financial income. “There were a lot of changes in housing situations, a lot were forced to move back home… all of this has put a lot of pressure on students,” she said. To know more visit at mapmystudy.com

MBA WITHOUT GMAT? – WE MAP YOUR OPTIONS IN AUSTRALIA

The number of Indian students wanting to MBA abroad is booming and so is the number of students appearing for GMAT. The GMAT score forms an essential component for the high ranked full-time MBA programs. Candidates spend 75% of their effort and time to crack the GMAT and get a high score which would improve their chances of being accepted by the top business schools. But did you know that there are quite a few top ranking institutions in Australia that offer and MBA without GMAT? Here are the few such universities offering MBA without GMAT without compromising on the quality, reputation, course content, and future career prospects. 1. La Trobe University Based in one of the most livable cities in the world, La Trobe University Melbourne is one of the top Australian universities and amongst top 1% in the world that offers an MBA without GMAT. Of course, you do need some work experience but it is definitely one of top choices for a number of students from India and worldwide. Not only you gain cutting-edge general management and business education, it also offers you a chance to study abroad, select a research pathway, or undertake an internship. Sounds good, right? 2. Deakin University Another top Australian institution based in Melbourne and regarded highly for its business school and employability.

equips you with sound knowledge of contemporary business and management issues as well as offers an integrative capstone experience, all rolled into one. The icing on the cake is the chance to network with leading academics and top Australian employers. 3. Curtin University Study for the Curtin MBA in warm and balmy city of Perth in Western Australia, which is not only one of the most well-connected cities in the country, but also offers great outdoors and beaches along with an excellent education system. The Curtin MBA offers hands-on experience on working at multiple projects and internships as well as develop evidence-based business ideas with a cohort of students from all over the world! 4. Griffith University Based in Queensland, the Sunshine state of Australia, Griffith MBA is different as it’s built on core values that are crucial to doing business in the 21st century - Sustainable Business Practices, Responsible Leadership and an Asia-Pacific Perspective. If you are looking to develop your critical thinking skills and identify new solutions that will improve the world around you, then the Griffith MBA is the right fit for you. 5. University of Wollongong Offered at Sydney and Wollongong campuses, the MBA program at University of Wollongong offers practical job seeking activities and access to the Australian workforce either through an internship, industry-based project or part-time employment. The program emphasizes on developing practical knowledge as well as enhances the employability of the graduates. Still need more advice on applying? To take the next steps in your career meet our experts today. Book your online appointment now by clicking ->https://www.mapmystudy.com/book-appointment

REASONS TO APPROACH STUDY OVERSEAS CONSULTANTS

According to a report, India has turned into a country which is transferring a huge number of students to study in abroad each year. The logic for rising craze among students to go overseas for higher studies is because these are among the prime destinations in the world over. There could be hundreds of logic why a student would want to study in abroad, and we have listed some of the most important reasons here: -To get a global perspective and widen their horizons. They also get an opportunity to experience diversified cultures of the world. -To become self-dependent by developing expert problem- solving skills. -To learn most updated technology and investigate new concepts and ideas. -To be an all-rounder, primed for reliable prospects. -To be a global citizen. Due to the preceding reasons, which are quite important, a student wants to study abroad, and where arises the need for study overseas consultants. Let us drive some light on why choose a higher education consultant and what advantages do you get by consulting to them; Career Counseling: Counseling is, of course, the fundamental right step when choosing to study overseas. It encourages students to take the best decision for their bright future. Such kind of counseling is given only by the higher education consultant.

Provides suggestion where and when to go: It is little tough for a student to determine in which country he/she should go, this is where a consultancy comes to support. A consultant can assist the student by recommending the suitable university for an appropriate course that the students desire to pursue. A good study abroad consultant serves the student by telling the suitable time for getting admissions in a particular university. Admission guidance: A consultancy benefits the students by telling them regarding the possibilities of universities which conduct their preferred course. Not only this, but expert also helps them by telling them the fee structure and total approximated expense of staying in a country and supervising them for the admission procedure. Safety: When students practice for admission in an overseas university through a consultancy, they get all the protection and security right from taking admissions to visa approval. Whereas if a student practices his or her own, the possibility of visa rejection is quite probable. Visa assistance: Getting a visa is something wherein a student face many challenges. A consultant advises the students to collect right documents while being very concerned with documentation. This documentation part can only be done effortlessly with support from an experienced person and has all the knowledge regarding it. If the student is doing documentation in assistance with a abroad consultancy in delhi, he/she will have 99 percent chance to get the visa. Accommodation supervision: An overseas education consultant assists in giving accommodation to the students as they have tie-ups with the universities. In some cases, consultants also provide you the contact details of seniors which they have sent for the last intake. Today all overseas education consultant agencies have started endeavoring various additional services to providing guidance and overall information related to studying abroad.