Upload
others
View
3
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
How International Students
Perceive Education Agents
DECEMBER 11, 2017
Ian Wright, Director of Partnerships
© 2017 World Education Services. All rights reserved. 2© 2017 World Education Services. All rights reserved.
WES Facts
Did you know?
• Over 10,000 participants attend WES webinars and training yearly.
• WES delivers credential evaluation reports to more than 2,500 academic institutions worldwide.
• More than 1.5 million credential evaluation reports have been provided to international students and skilled immigrants.
• Our database contains more than 40 years of WES research including data on more than 200 countries and jurisdictions, 40,000 educational institutions, 20,000 credentials and equivalencies, and 1,600 grading scales.
© 2017 World Education Services. All rights reserved. 3
Presenter
Ian Wright [email protected] of Partnerships
Ian is an experienced administrator, previously as Director of International Admissions at LIU Post. He earned a master’s degree in education from Hunter College and bachelor’s degree in industrial and labor relations from Cornell University.
Ian works with institutions and organizations to meet their internationalization priorities through partnerships and research.
Ian has previously presented at ICEF Vancouver as well as various industry conferences including NAFSA, AIRC, AIEA, and the recent NAFSA Tri-Regional (I, II and IV).
Agenda
PART I: Introduction
PART II: Overview of Methodology & Respondents
PART III: Research Findings
PART IV: Implications & Recommendations
PART V: Q & A - Discussion
© 2017 World Education Services. All rights reserved. 5© 2016 World Education Services. All rights reserved.
Part I:
Introduction
© 2017 World Education Services. All rights reserved. 6
Agent Utilization in the U.S.
Source: - 2016 Bridge Education Group, Inc.- Pace of Adoption of International Student Recruitment Agencies by U.S. Institutions.- NACAC’s 2015 Admission Trends Survey of 4-Year Colleges and Universities and NACAC’s 2014 Counselling Trends Survey
Estimated share of post-secondary
international student enrollment via agencies
Usage rate of international student
recruitment agencies by U.S. colleges/universities
• 34% since 2013
37%22%
© 2017 World Education Services. All rights reserved. 7
WES Survey Results Summary
Student satisfaction with services offered, “met expectations”
Agreed agents provide useful information & valuable suggestions
Indicated that expenses were reasonable
75%
70%
83%
© 2017 World Education Services. All rights reserved. 8© 2017 World Education Services. All rights reserved.
© 2017 World Education Services. All rights reserved. 9
Top Student Concerns
• Quality Control & Conflict of Interest
• Misrepresentation of university information
• Untimely feedback
• Document fraud
• Unclear fee structures
• False promises about guaranteed admission
• Unrealistic expectations about on-campus jobs or scholarship opportunities
© 2017 World Education Services. All rights reserved. 10© 2016 World Education Services. All rights reserved.
Part II:
Overview of Methodology and
Respondents
© 2017 World Education Services. All rights reserved. 11
Research Objective
To understand the experiences of international students with education agents and provide insight into some of the complexities of the global agent market as experienced by students.
The report sheds light on unexplored markets that can help to inform institutions that already have relationships with agents, and for those that do not, to understand the broader market.
• The prevalence of agent-use among WES applicants
• How students interact with agents
• Regional variations in agent use and concerns
Decoding International Students’ Experiences With Education Agents: Insights for U.S. Institutions (June 2017)
© 2017 World Education Services. All rights reserved. 12
Methodology
• Review of Literature
• Survey of WES applicants in March 2017• 5,880 respondents either currently enrolled or
planning to enroll in U.S. higher education institutions
• Representing five regions and over 50 countries
• 1,336 respondents used agents (just under 23%)
• Limitations: academic level; English proficiency
NOTE: Percentages may not add up to 100 as “not sure” has been removed from analysis; Labels less than 5% have been removed in some charts
© 2017 World Education Services. All rights reserved. 13
The Use of Agents by International Students
“My agent helped me with aspects that I wasn’t sure about, or had no knowledge about. We were looking for someone who thoroughly knew the entire process of applications as we were not ready to make any mistakes or delay my graduate admissions.”
– Graduate student, India
© 2017 World Education Services. All rights reserved. 14
Respondents Profile
“Other” removed from the charts
13%
87%
45%51%
4%
© 2017 World Education Services. All rights reserved. 15
Agent Use – Prominence in (East) Asia
NOTE: North America, Southeast Asia, and Oceania - not included in regional analyses due to low response rates.
© 2017 World Education Services. All rights reserved. 16© 2016 World Education Services. All rights reserved.
Part III:
Research Findings
© 2017 World Education Services. All rights reserved. 17© 2017 World Education Services. All rights reserved.
The Agent Landscape
© 2017 World Education Services. All rights reserved. 18
Yes85%
No13%
Not sure2%
Paying the agent
46%
13%
13%
8%
10%
4%6%
Amount paid to agents
Less than $500
$501 - $1,000
$1,001 - $3,000
$3,001 - $5,000
More than $5,000
Not sure
Prefer not to answer
How Pervasive is “Double-Dipping”?
© 2017 World Education Services. All rights reserved. 19
Compensation Trends by Region
46%
© 2017 World Education Services. All rights reserved. 20© 2017 World Education Services. All rights reserved.
Student Motivations and
Agent Selection Criteria
© 2017 World Education Services. All rights reserved. 21
Reasons for Using Agents by Regions*
*Percentage shown for each region is significantly higher than others
South & Central Asia
East Asia EuropeSub-Saharan
AfricaLatin America & Caribbean
46%
Help in selection of which schools and/or
programs to apply
48%
Reduced the time and effort needed to
prepare and/or complete admission
applications
52%
Lack of knowledge about the college
application process in the U.S.
50%
Reduced the time and effort needed to
prepare and/or complete admission
applications
51%
Help meeting specific requirements (such
as GPA, standardized tests, essay
completion, etc.)
42%
Help preparing for visa
interviews/application
37%
Increase in admissions probability
48%
Limited knowledge about U.S. higher
education institutions
33%
Help preparing for visa
interviews/application
49%
Lack of knowledge about the college
application process in the U.S.
35%
Career advice/counselling
10%
Language obstacles
31%
Help meeting specific requirements (such
as GPA, standardized tests, essay
completion, etc.)
27%
Recommendation from friends/family
37%
Increase in admissions probability
© 2017 World Education Services. All rights reserved. 22
Factors in Choosing an Agent
*Percentage shown for each region is significantly higher than others
South & Central Asia
47%
Offer variety of services ranging from visa application to admission application process
East Asia
Europe
Sub-Saharan Africa
Latin America & Caribbean
39%
Cost
30%
Promised guaranteed admission to a specific educational institution
24%
Member of national organization
53%
Certified or recognized by international standards
82%
Knowledge and expertise of U.S. admission guidelines and education system
© 2017 World Education Services. All rights reserved. 23© 2017 World Education Services. All rights reserved.
Agent Usage
© 2017 World Education Services. All rights reserved. 24
Use of Services by Academic Level
Undergraduate
• 80% - Use variety of agent’s services
• Compensation paid:
• 29% paid less than $500
• 24% paid $1,001–$3,000
• Higher use of some advisory services:
• Financial aid and scholarship opportunities at institutions (90% vs. 78% graduate)
• Standardized test-taking preparations (82% vs. 67% graduate)
• Higher use of some pre-arrivalservices:
• Housing and accommodation (65% vs.47% graduate)
• Travel arrangements (61% vs. 48% graduate)
Graduate
• 73% - Use variety of agent’s services
• Compensation paid:
• 47% pay less than $500
• Higher use of some prospectingservices:
• Suitable degrees and program options (92% vs. 90% undergraduate)
• Selection of schools (94% vs. 92% undergraduate)
• Higher use of some applicationservices:
• Services such as essay, resume or personal statement editing (84% vs. undergraduate 81%)
© 2017 World Education Services. All rights reserved. 25
Use of Agents at Each Stage of the
Admission Cycle
© 2017 World Education Services. All rights reserved. 26
Services Used at Prospecting Stage
93%
91%
88%
81%
79%
69%
© 2017 World Education Services. All rights reserved. 27
Services Used at Application Stage
83%
72%
92%
84%
76%
69%
© 2017 World Education Services. All rights reserved. 28
Services Used at Enrollment/Pre-Arrival Stage
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
South and Central
Asia
East Asia Europe Sub-Saharan Africa Latin America &
Caribbean
Housing and accommodations
Visa application preparation and processing
Banking and insurance needs
Pre-departure orientation (such as: insights into cultural issues and adjustment or safety issues)
Travel arrangements
68%
60%
49%
59%
49%
© 2017 World Education Services. All rights reserved. 29© 2017 World Education Services. All rights reserved.
Overall Satisfaction with Agents
© 2017 World Education Services. All rights reserved. 30
Overall Satisfaction
4% 3% 4% 6% 3% 7%
11% 10%17%
7%8%
5%
54% 56%
57%
48%44% 41%
29% 30%19%
38%41% 43%
Overall South and Central
Asia
East Asia Europe Sub-Saharan
Africa
Latin America &
Caribbean
Overall Satisfaction With Agent
Very dissatisfied Dissatisfied Satisfied Very satisfied
“Not sure” removed from chart
© 2017 World Education Services. All rights reserved. 31
23% 23%21%
31%
37%
28%29% 27% 27%
33%
39%37%
26% 26%
21%
34%
41% 42%
23% 23%
17%
25%
41%
35%
Overall South and
Central Asia
East Asia Europe Sub-Saharan
Africa
Latin America &
Caribbean
Q:Please rate your level of agreement with the following statements
My agent recommended best-fit schools based on my interests and capabilities
My agent provided me with current, accurate and honest information throughout the process thatenabled me to make an informed choice
My agent had adequate knowledge and expertise that helped guide me through the entire studyabroad process
My agent provided me with service(s) that were a good value for the money
Percent indicates selection of “strongly agree”
Student Satisfaction with Agent Services
© 2017 World Education Services. All rights reserved. 32
Perceptions of Integrity
81%
85%
Recommended best-fit
schools based on my
interests and
capabilities
Provided me with
current, accurate and
honest information
throughout the process
that enabled me to
make an informedchoice
Measurement of Agents
Integrity (agreement
level)
*Percentage shown are average of both factors
South & Central Asia
82%
Agreement Level*
East Asia 83%
Europe 90%
© 2017 World Education Services. All rights reserved. 33
How Agents Influence Students’ Decisions
13%12% 12%
17%
26%
20%20%18%
16%
28%
44%
31%
17%
13%15%
30%32%
37%
Overall South and CentralAsia
East Asia Europe Sub-SaharanAfrica
Latin America &Caribbean
Q: Please rate your level of agreement with the following statements:
My agent influenced my decision to enroll at an institution
My agent increased the likeliness for me to get enrolled at a U.S. institution
My agent played a significant role to set me up for success at my institution
Percent indicates selection of “strongly agree”
© 2017 World Education Services. All rights reserved. 34
Challenges Students Face with their Agents
28%
29%
30%
27%
19%
20%
22%
23%
23%
21%
23%
22%
17%
44%
21%
19%
28%
13%
9%
24%
0%
20%
22%
18%
15%
25%
16%
22%
11%
10%
15%
15%
3%
7%
28%
5%
2%
11%
4%
3%
5%
0%
OVERALL
SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA
EAST ASIA
EUROPE
AFRICA SUB-SAHARAN
LATIN AMERICA & CARIBBEAN
MIDDLE EAST & NORTH AFRICA
Unresponsive to my queries
Unclear financial arrangement or fee structure
Misrepresentation of information related to institutions
Unrealistic expectations about on-campus jobs and/or scholarship opportunities
False promises about guaranteed admission at your top choice school
Document fraud or unethical practices
Note: chart does not add up to 100%
© 2017 World Education Services. All rights reserved. 35© 2016 World Education Services. All rights reserved.
Part IV:
Recommendations
© 2017 World Education Services. All rights reserved. 36
Recommendations for Institutions
• Devote time to understand how students work with agents in different regions.
• Thoroughly investigate business practices at agencies (and their sub-agents).
• NACAC publication Trusted Sources: Seeking Advice on Applying to Universities in Another Country helps
students make informed decisions about services.
• Use your website to educate parents/students about differences in agent business models to promote transparency and good practices.
• Assess how your institution educates agents and can assist them with addressing students’ needs in a timely and meaningful manner.
© 2017 World Education Services. All rights reserved. 37
Open Discussion: Agent Integrity,
Knowledge, and InfluenceWhere Students Say Agents Fall Short
• “It was too expensive, and I ended up doing everything on my own.” –Graduate student, France
• “They did not help me as I expected them to. They also discouraged me from applying to better schools, saying I wouldn’t get an admit. I applied anyway, and got an admit.” –Graduate student, Korea
• “My agents are too business-minded, and work for the sole reason of improving their income. I would have liked it if their service was student-centered.” –Undergraduate student, Sri Lanka
• “The agent had ties with various universities, and insisted that I apply at those universities.” –Graduate student, India
© 2017 World Education Services. All rights reserved. 38© 2017 World Education Services. All rights reserved.
Next Steps
Related Research
Decoding International Students’ Experiences With Education Agents: Insights for U.S. Institutions
Additional Original WES Research Webinars
Career Outcomes among U.S.-Educated International Students
Series: International Student Satisfaction in the U.S.
© 2017 World Education Services. All rights reserved. 39© 2016 World Education Services. All rights reserved.
QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS
© 2017 World Education Services. All rights reserved. 40© 2017 World Education Services. All rights reserved.
As part of our mission as a non-profit, we provide valuable resources to the higher education community.
Our Research and Training includes:
• World Education News & Review (WENR)wenr.wes.org/
• Research Reportswes.org/partners/research/
• Grade Conversion Guidesapplications.wes.org/country-resources/
• Webinars and Workshopswes.org/partners/events
• WES also offers customized research and training.
WES Resources
© 2017 World Education Services. All rights reserved. 41© 2017 World Education Services. All rights reserved.
Resources for Students and Skilled Immigrants
WES Global Talent Bridge
ESL Tool Kit, Pathways to Success Seminars globaltalentbridge.org/
WES Advisor
wes.org/advisor-blog/
Free Degree Equivalency Tool
applications.wes.org/degree-equivalency-tool/
iGPA Calculator
applications.wes.org/igpa-calculator/
THANK YOU FOR
ATTENDING OUR SESSION
Need more information?
Visit: www.WES.org/partners/