Updated: Thursday, June 5, 2025
Evolving news surrounding Harvard and the U.S. government has created uncertainty for many international students currently enrolled at or hoping to attend U.S. universities. Join IvyWise college admissions counselors for an interactive webinar where they break down what the current political landscape means for your college journey.
Recorded on June 5, 2025
The current news regarding international students at U.S. universities is shocking, puzzling, and deeply concerning. While we do not expect the proposed visa ban to pass into law, we acknowledge the stress and uncertainty this situation has caused for students and families around the world.
The U.S. has long been a beacon for global talent. The proposed move would undermine that legacy. This action wouldn’t affect just Harvard — it would undermine the global reputation of all U.S. universities.
At IvyWise, we stand in full solidarity with all students affected. We firmly believe that international students are an essential part of the fabric of U.S. higher education; they are not political pawns or mere statistics — they are crucial contributors to U.S. higher education and to society at large. International students enrich classrooms, foster global collaboration, fuel innovation, and strengthen the U.S.’s role as a global leader. Their presence is not only valuable — it is vital.
International students are also critical to the financials of universities like Harvard, and schools cannot survive without them. They contribute immensely to the U.S. economy as both students and graduates and enhance our campuses, communities, and country with critical global perspectives.
According to Bloomberg News, the number of international students at U.S. colleges, which dipped during the pandemic, rebounded to an all-time high in the 2023-24 academic year, with a 23% surge in students coming from India. Most receive no financial aid from their institutions. Around 86% of undergraduate and nearly two-thirds of graduate foreign students paid out of pocket using personal or family funds, according to the Institute of International Education. Additionally, international students contribute significantly to the U.S. economy: According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, these students spent $56 billion last year attending U.S. colleges — and most advanced degree holders from India and China choose to stay and work in the U.S.
At IvyWise, we work with students from over 90 countries, and we’ve seen the extraordinary drive, intelligence, and perspective they bring to U.S. campuses. These students are not only top academic performers; they are future researchers, entrepreneurs, thought-leaders, and changemakers. The value of international students in U.S. higher education is undeniable. Their presence on U.S. campuses is not a privilege to be debated, but a strength to be celebrated.
At IvyWise, we advise all students to stay informed, keep options open, plan with flexibility, and work closely with trusted counselors. While we are hopeful that these threats will not materialize into permanent policy, students should be prepared with contingency plans.
We also encourage students to be mindful of their digital footprints. With increased scrutiny around visa approvals and social media activity, students should refrain from posting or reposting content that could be misconstrued or politicized. Students should not disseminate, post, or repost unverified or false information.
This moment also reinforces what our counselors have long practiced: developing global, multi-destination application strategies to ensure families have options — and peace of mind. Our counselors provide supportive and personalized guidance to students seeking admission at institutions around the world — from the U.S. to Canada, the U.K. and the rest of Europe, and beyond.
We expect that this legal battle will continue to evolve, and institutions like Harvard University will vigorously defend their ability to educate a global student body.
In the meantime, we want to reassure students and families: IvyWise is here to support you. No matter where you are in your higher ed journey, our team is ready to help you navigate this uncertain landscape with confidence and clarity.
All of us at IvyWise are closely monitoring this situation. While we do not expect this ban to pass, IvyWise is here to help families navigate this uncertainty. IvyWise has always been a global company, working with students to apply to and get into universities across the globe. In the case that the ban does pass, we are fully equipped to work with students who may need to change their college lists or reconsider their enrollment plans. No matter how this situation unfolds, we’re here to help students make informed, confident choices.
International students preparing to apply to U.S. universities have a lot to consider, from the holistic admissions process to visa requirements and tuition costs. But what about standardized tests? Many students overseas recognize the importance of college entrance exams, specifically the SAT. However, this isn’t the only test that international students need to consider when applying to U.S. universities.
High school students across the U.S. aren’t the only ones trying to navigate the often-confusing college application process — students around the world are, too. And many are thinking about coming to the U.S. for their higher education. Open Doors reported that 1,057,188 international students were enrolled at U.S. colleges and universities during the 2022-23 academic year, which was 5.6% of the total student population.
For many international students, taking the TOEFL exam is one of many steps on their radar for the U.S. college admissions process. Many colleges do require TOEFL scores as part of their international application review process, so it’s important to do your research and see what the policy is at every school on your best-fit list.
If you’re an international student applying to U.S. universities, it’s important to visit, if possible, and ensure that you’re making the most of your time on campus. There’s a lot that international students need to be mindful of when planning visits to U.S. universities — both before and during campus visits.
