Over half of U.S. college students now take at least some courses online, according to NCES data. Globally, most students want aspects of their education to remain virtual, per McKinsey research. Perhaps more telling: a majority say they would look for another institution if their program wasn't available online.
STEM careers span software development, engineering, data science, healthcare, research, and dozens of specialized fields. The median wage for STEM occupations hit $103,580 in 2024, more than double the $48,000 median for non-STEM jobs.
The Class of 2026 admissions cycle marked another year of record-breaking competition. With acceptance rates plummeting below 7% at every Ivy League institution and applications continuing their upward trajectory, understanding what it truly takes to gain admission requires looking beyond the glossy brochures and into the data.
The numbers tell a sobering story. While roughly 45% of U.S. citizens who apply to medical school gain admission, only about 10% of international applicants receive acceptance letters. Of the approximately 15,000 international students who apply to U.S. medical schools each year, fewer than 800 will matriculate.
Your institution likely spends significant resources on cross-cultural management training for staff and preparing students for global careers. Meanwhile, thousands of international students on your campus have already mastered what your programs attempt to teach. These students possess lived expertise in cross-cultural competence that no workshop or textbook can replicate.
