Agent Debate: International Student Recruitment

AGENT DEBATE THE CONTROVERSY OF USING INTERNATIONAL STUDENT RECRUITMENT AGENTS Introduction International students pay significantly higher fees than domestic students. Many universities and colleges want to attract foreign students to bolster their bottom lines. The demand for international students has caused many institutions to hire independent contractors, known as “agents," to represent them overseas. What Defenders Say Provide information on schools and programs Help obtain a student visa - Navigate the confusing application process What Critics Say Profit-seeking middlemen Falsify student applications and transcripts Mislead students about quality of schools and housing Common Practice United Kingdom Australia New Zealand Agents are embedded into the system, but there are regulatory structures that provide oversight Varies By Institution Canada United States The United States is considering a ban on commission-based agents A special panel examining the issue is expected to make its ruling in 2013 USA And Agents The practice is controversial since many agents are paid on a commission basis for each student they enroll. Since American federal law forbids payments to recruit domestic students, why should it be different for international students? Critics argue that paying agents creates an incentive for fraud and puts the integrity of the admissions process at risk. There have also been a number of recent scandals involving agents. In February 2012, Dickinson State University in North Dakota was found to be a diploma mill for 400 foreign students. The school had extensive ties with agents and most of the students were from China. China And Agents China is the top source of students 158K: Chinese students for the United States studied in the United States in 2011 Agent Compensation Breakdown 80% $10K 10% The school pays the agent 10% of the student's 90% tuition fees 70% Cost for school selection, test prep, and essay writing of Chinese students applying to undergraduate programs in the United States use agents 50% Bonus if the $10K agent gets the student into a Forge recommendation letters top school Essays are written by someone else Many agents want a cut of any 15% financial aid High school transcripts are falsified package received * All figures in USD * Study conducted by Zinch China Alternatives To Agents There are 3 emerging recruitment solutions that could sideline the need for agents Educațion USA U.S. Department of State » Social Alumni State Media Engagement Consortia Internet access increasing Graduates make the best Government agencies have around the world brand ambassadors great resources and reach Maintain complete control of admissions process Similar to agents, but charge zero commission Offers unbiased and free information to students * Recommendations of Dr. Rahul Choudaha Sources Infographic by SeniusRecruiter http://chronicle.com/article/International-Student/127931/ http://chronicle.com/article/NACAC-Group-Hears-Pros-and/131080/ http://thepienews.com/pie-chat/jim-miller-president-of-nacac-usa/ http://www.universityworldnews.com/article.php?story=20110114221505215 http://www.washcouncil.org/documents/pdf/WIEC2011_Fraud-in-China.pdf http://www.universityworldnews.com/article.php?story=20120314140929441