New Study Shows International Students Increasingly Tap Wireless Devices To Make U.S. Higher Ed Choices

NEW YORK, Oct. 2, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- International students are increasingly using wireless devices to research and select colleges and universities that best meet their higher education needs and many American schools might not be keeping pace with the trend.  A new survey, released at the World Education Services (WES) 40^th Anniversary Forum, shows 56% of international Millennials (those born between 1980 and 2000) used a smartphone to search for and apply to U.S. colleges and universities while 26% had used a tablet.  The report also revealed that a large number of the students will be funding their own education, with 66% indicating "financial support from family and friends" as a first option, while "personal savings" was the second choice with 38% of the respondents.  The research further analyzes the responses and behaviors of the students by dividing them into four distinct segments — Explorers, Highfliers, Strivers, and Strugglers— based upon their academic preparedness and financial resources.*   The study was conducted by WES, a nonprofit international-education research company that is also a leading provider of credential evaluation services to international students, universities and colleges throughout the United States and Canada.     

"The survey results certainly highlight the fact that worldwide Millennial students are just as technologically savvy as their American peers.  Clearly, the world of recruiting international students is changing and U.S. higher education institutions really have to adapt their recruitment strategies to reflect this reality.  If they do not, they are setting themselves up for failure in this very important and competitive segment," said Rahul Choudaha, chief knowledge officer and senior director of strategic development of World Education Services.  "Our research provides a valuable opportunity for colleges and universities to improve and even enact more effective international enrollment strategies which are future ready."

In the WES survey of nearly 5,000 international Millennial students who seek to earn a bachelor's, master's, or doctorate degree, 91% selected the college/university website as their main source of information and organic web searching came in as the second most popular method with 71%.  The top fields of study by interest were Business/Management with 27% of the students, followed by 18% Engineering, and 13% Health Professions.  The top two reasons noted for studying in the U.S. were to expand career and life opportunities (79%) and that more quality higher education options were available outside of the respondents' home countries (78%).  Overall, the largest numbers of survey participants were from China and India, countries which also represent the two main sources of international students now studying in the United States.   

To access the full research report, Bridging the Digital Divide: Segmenting and Recruiting International Millennial Student, please visit www.wes.org/ras.

*Explorers are segmented as students with high financial resources and low academic preparedness, while Highfliers are students with high financial resources and high academic preparedness.  Strivers are categorized by low financial resources and high academic preparedness and Strugglers are students with low financial resources and low academic preparedness.

About WES
Founded in 1974, World Education Services, Inc. is dedicated to helping people with international education achieve their higher education and professional goals by evaluating and advocating for the recognition of international education qualifications. With a staff representing 37 nations and speaking over 40 languages, WES has delivered evaluations to more than one million people worldwide, which are widely recognized by more than 2,500 educational, business and governmental institutions throughout the U.S. and Canada.  Through Research and Advisory Services, WES is also a leading provider of research regarding international education and trends.  WES' Global Talent Bridge program helps skilled immigrants attain their professional and educational goals.

SOURCE World Education Services