For the first time in five years the number of applications to graduate schools in the USA has dropped below the number of applications from US nationals, NAFSA Association of International Educators reported.

This comes from a report released on August 20th from the Council of Graduate Schools showing that the number of international students applying to gaduate schools in the USA has dropped 3% since 2008.
There were 16% declines in offers to students from both India and South Korea, after offers to students in each country fell 2% last year.

Although the survey also found a final one-year 4% increase in international applications, the total number of international applications received in 2009 remains 5% below 2003 levels.

The report additionally includes findings on domestic student admissions trends.  The change in domestic applications at responding graduate schools was a median 8% increase.  Offers of admission to U.S. students grew by a median 2%.

Growth in U.S. applications was more widespread than growth in international applications. While 75% of graduate schools received more applications from prospective U.S. students in 2009 than 2008, just 55% received more international applications.  Institutions were also
more likely to report growth in offers of admission to domestic applicants than to international students.

“The decline in admissions of international students this year, after several years of slowing growth, is a concern for US graduate education,” said Debra W. Stewart, CGS President.

“For the past few years growth in first-time graduate enrollment has been driven by international students.  However, the fact that so many schools reported strong growth in admissions to U.S. students this year may signal a reversal of that trend,” she added.

Click here to read full press release from the Council of Graduate Schools.