Trump has made sweeping adjustments to domestic, international relations, and immigration policies, and some of the latest study-abroad policies have a significant impact on international students. How many of these changes do you know? Today, CheersYou（清柚教育） brings you a comprehensive roundup!
1
Common App Requires More Detailed Course and Grade Information
Common App, the key system for US undergraduate applications, has added a Courses & Grades feature. It requires students to list all high school courses and grades. Although schools will eventually receive official transcripts, manually entering grades helps students get an overview of their academic performance.
Common App Profile Filling Guide:
Profile includes: Personal Information, Address, Contact Details, Demographics, Geography, Language, Citizenship, and Common App Fee Waiver.
Personal Information: Your name, date of birth, and other details must match your official documents, such as your passport. After filling in, click 'Continue' at the bottom right; the information will auto-save and proceed to the next section.
Address: The address entered during account registration will auto-populate here. You can edit it if needed. If you want to receive school mailings at this address, select 'No Alternate address.' If it's not convenient for deliveries, choose 'send mail to a temporary or alternate address' and enter the new mailing address. The address must be detailed and valid.
Contact Details: You can also list any other contact phone numbers.
Demographics: Fill in this section truthfully according to your ethnicity and beliefs.
Geography: Fill in according to your actual situation.
Language: Fill in truthfully based on your language skills.
Citizenship: For 'Currently held United States visa,' if you have any visa, including tourist or student visa, fill it in truthfully. Remember, the more accurate and detailed your information, the better the university can understand you.
Common App Fee Waiver: Generally select 'No' if your family's financial situation is normal.
2
12 Schools Require Applicants to Self-Report Grades
Currently, 12 US universities require applicants to self-report their grades and courses. They are:
The George Washington University (Washington, DC)
University of Southern California (CA)
The Ohio State University (OH)
Purdue University (IN)
West Virginia University (WV)
Birmingham-Southern College (AL)
Chapman University (CA)
College of Idaho (ID)
New York School of Career & Applied Studies of Touro College & University System (NY)
Ripon College (WI)
St. John's University (NY)
Underwood International College, Yonsei University (Seoul, South Korea)
Key Focus of US Graduate Admissions
Because graduate-level study in the US involves in-depth research and exploration of specialized knowledge, US institutions place great importance on students' GPA. In the view of American universities, GPA represents academic ability, which better indicates whether a student can engage in research and advanced study after enrollment.
3
CB Adjusts 2017-2018 SAT Score Release Policy
To expedite SAT score release, the 2017-2018 score release policy has changed. Starting the second half of 2017, SAT scores will be released within 2 weeks. Previously, scores for Reading, Math, and Writing were released simultaneously. Now, under the adjusted policy, Reading and Math scores will be released earlier than Writing. When multiple-choice scores are available, you will receive an email notification, and CB will send your scores to colleges within ten days after release.
Writing scores will be released 5 days after the other scores. Therefore, students who opt not to take the SAT Writing section can receive their scores earlier and send them to colleges. If you need a paper score report, it will be mailed to you after all scores are released.
4
Trump's Tax Reform Changes the 'Cheese' for International Students
Generally, doctoral and even master's students in the US receive scholarships and tuition waivers by working as teaching or research assistants (TA/RA), typically no more than 20 hours per week (with possible extensions during breaks), earning around $20,000–$30,000 annually along with tuition remission. If the new tax reform bill passes, it will significantly impact tuition and scholarships for 145,000 graduate students and many international doctoral students in the US. If enacted, their tax liability could increase three- to four-fold. However, the specifics of how the bill's provisions on international student scholarships will be implemented remain unclear.
Meanwhile, under previous US-China agreements, Chinese students and scholars could apply for exemption from federal income tax. Visiting scholars and guest professors in the US for no more than three years are exempt from tax on income from teaching and research (federal tax only). If a student's income is a scholarship, it is exempt. If it is personal service income, $5,000 can be deducted from gross income before calculating federal tax.
In other words, if universities define 'tuition waivers' as scholarships, Chinese international students could avoid the tax increase even if the bill passes. Some experts speculate that US universities may adjust their scholarship policies in the future to help students avoid higher taxes.
5
Changes to Visa Application Timelines
The previous rule allowing visa interview waiver for renewals within 48 months of expiration has been shortened to within 12 months of expiration.
Three groups will be affected in the US:
- F-1 student visa holders who arrived in the US in early 2014 and have not returned home will be affected when renewing.
- Chinese citizens holding 10-year B-1/B-2 business/tourist visas will hardly be affected.
- Those holding 5-year F-1 student visas or 1-year H-1B work visas will see minimal impact.
In addition, the US has strengthened visa review procedures for international students, including increased phone checks. These checks are typically conducted by Chinese staff at the embassy, who call sponsors or applicants' employers to verify income, employment background, and other relevant information, as well as applicants' family backgrounds.
Changes to US Student Visa Fees
Previously, international students paid a one-time SEVIS fee of $200. However, a new proposal would require annual payment of this fee, meaning students would no longer receive a 5-year multiple-entry visa.
Transferring Schools or Not Graduating on Time Requires a New Visa
Furthermore, the new proposal may require listing the expected degree completion date on the student residence permit. If pursuing a graduate program after college, a new student residence permit must be obtained.
How do these new study-abroad policies affect you? Leave a comment and let us know!
