11-6-09: Stanford: The GAO Report (Beltway Edition): Need-blind admission for the whole world ‘round

During the annual Reunion Homecoming two weeks ago, a Roundtable was held to discuss “The Road Back: From Economic Meltdown to Renewal.” The assembled experts emphasized education as one of the most important factors in shaping future economic growth. Some expressed frustration that many international students studying in the United States are prevented from making long-term contributions to this country due to the difficulty in obtaining visas or green cards. A significant question not addressed by the panel is whether international students can access the world-class education provided by American institutions.

Stanford needs to undertake an examination of its policies toward foreign students, namely re-energizing its efforts to achieve need-blind admission for non-U.S. citizens or Permanent Residents. The University deserves praise for prioritizing this objective as a special focus of the Stanford Challenge. Administrators in Admission and Financial Aid, as well as the Office of Development in the Alumni Center, have also been very receptive to input. However, it is particularly challenging to make headway in the current economy, where many Americans are seeking greater aid packages due to changes in their family circumstances. Progress is only possible when international need-blind admission remains visible and relevant in the campus discourse.

Currently, international students compose slightly more than six percent of Stanford’s undergraduate population, which is about 400 of 6,700 students. This is a much smaller number compared to most of the Ivy League institutions, which enroll around 10 percent international undergraduates.

There are more than 3,500 international students from over 130 nations who apply for undergraduate admission every year. International applicants are required to indicate “up front” whether they will need financial assistance for the duration of their time at Stanford. Indeed, the admission Web site explicitly states that the “need for aid will be a major factor in your admission decision.” For the Class of 2010, more than 1,000 applied for aid; ultimately, 35 were admitted.

Knowing this, many international students unable to entirely fund their education simply do not apply to Stanford at all. Of those who do, Stanford inevitably rejects many compelling candidates who would be admitted if their ability to pay were not a consideration. The current practice severely limits our ability to attract the best applicants. It diminishes Stanford’s competitiveness for talent and our global standing. It also leads to the question of whether we are fulfilling Jane Stanford’s directive that the University keep “open an avenue whereby the deserving and exceptional may rise through their own efforts from the lowest to the highest station in life.”

The obstacle preventing Stanford from reaching its full potential as an educator of global leaders is its inability to admit international applicants solely based on merit. Stanford is lagging behind its peers. Dartmouth, MIT, Yale, Harvard and Princeton are able to offer need-blind admission for all undergraduates. Admittedly, most of these universities have greater endowment per student ratio.

Unlike domestic students, foreign students are not eligible for U.S. federal or state grants, private loans and work-study programs. Thus, financial aid must come directly from the University through privately funded scholarships. For international need-blind admission to be a sustainable practice at Stanford, it requires a $200 million increase in our endowment. Certainly, this is not a drop in the bucket. The bold, visionary and strong-willed nature of our institution will definitely be useful when striving to meet this challenge.

There is no doubt regarding the value of pursuing this weighty goal. There are many benefits to ensuring that Stanford be open to the best and brightest around the world. International diversity ensures an exciting experience of peer-to-peer learning. American undergraduates can learn firsthand about different cultures and worldviews from their international friends.

Equally important is the opportunity for Stanford to educate individuals who will return to their home countries. International students have the duty to undertake positions of public leadership and help the world understand American values and ideas. This is the most valuable way they can give back to the United States. Indeed, the “smart power” approach in foreign policy involves an increasing focus on international education and cultural exchanges. Public diplomacy is crucial to reviving America’s global leadership and advantageous to the United States’ long-term security and strategic interests. Simple interactions have the tremendous potential to break down barriers and help us recognize our shared humanity.

Sadly, there is little evidence of students and alumni actively calling for change. Without pressure from a mobilized constituency, the University has little incentive to translate its commitment into action. However, Stanford must recognize its responsibility to its founders, to the nation and to the world to ensure that its education is accessible to all.

http://www.stanforddaily.com/cgi-bin/?p=1035575