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From: conrad@wucs1.wustl.edu (H. Conrad Cunningham)
Newsgroups: comp.edu,soc.college
Subject: Re: Foreign Students in Tax Supported Schools
Message-ID: <613@wucs1.wustl.edu>
Date: 12 Dec 88 16:15:58 GMT
References: <1131@osupyr.mast.ohio-state.edu> <1887@sun.soe.clarkson.edu> <18121@agate.BERKELEY.EDU> <1060@l.cc.purdue.edu> <18144@agate.BERKELEY.EDU> <5653@sdcsvax.UCSD.EDU> <8229@pasteur.Berkeley.EDU> <8234@pasteur.Berkeley.EDU>
Reply-To: conrad@wucs1.UUCP (H. Conrad Cunningham)
Organization: Washington University, St. Louis, MO
Lines: 68


Why are American doctoral programs in technical fields dominated by
non-American students?

Possibilities:

(1) The American educational system is lousy and doing an awful job at
preparing our students for such study.

(2) Foreign students are "beating out" American students for the
openings in doctoral programs.

(3) Many good American students don't see the value in pursuing a
doctorate and/or are not willing to make the "necessary" personal and
financial sacrifices.

Comments:

(1) There may be quite a bit of truth to this, but it has already
been argued at length.

(2) I doubt it in most cases. 

(3) I think this is the primary reason.

For many foreign students doctoral programs have an enormous
payoff--in terms of personal economic and social status and in terms
of place of residence.  For students from highly competitive
situations or from less developed economies, the doctorate may be the
"ticket" that is necessary to ensure them admission to the "good
life" when they return home.  Or perhaps it is the "ticket" that gives
them admission to a country with a "higher standard of living". 

For many American students this is not the case.  In many technical
fields good American students have access to well-paying jobs after
completion of a bachelors' or masters' degree.  The doctorate may be
little advantage in most situations--and in some cases a disadvantage.
Many good students decide that completion of a doctorate is not worth
the "hassle" and the "economic deprivation" that a doctoral program
entails.  

Possessing a doctoral degree doesn't necessary confer much social
prestige in American society.  I don't know, but perhaps it does in
other countries.  Our culture has always been quite practical and
populistic--not really valuing "elitist" notions such as "love of
learning" or really trusting "eggheads" too much.  Scientists and
engineers are stereotyped as "nerds."

What can be done to encourage more American students to undertake
doctoral studies?  Try to make it more economically and socially
worthwhile--support graduate students at a level that is more
competitive with entry-level jobs--provide more research funding and
support for education.

Of course, the situation may correct itself somewhat.  The American
economy and educational system may deteriorate to the point that few
foreign students want an American education.  The job market may cool
off, so that doctorates are more important "ticket" to the "good life."

With tongue slightly in cheek,
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H. Conrad Cunningham 		|  Title:	Research Assistant
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