Welcome back to Good Life, a newsletter about navigating modern culture while trying to keep your sanity. This Wednesday, we’re diving into the issues with the U.S. higher education system, which many believe fails to support American students.
Right now, there’s a video making the rounds featuring students from an elite prep school in El Salvador, Escuela Americana, rejoicing over their acceptance into prestigious U.S. universities like Northwestern, the University of Pennsylvania, Notre Dame, University of Michigan, University of Virginia, Georgia Tech, and Tufts. The video showcases around 13 students, each gaining acceptance to an average of three U.S. colleges.
Honestly, watching it repeatedly probably wasn’t my best choice; it just fueled my frustration with these elite institutions. I’ve heard countless stories from friends about their kids struggling to get into their top-choice schools—or even their so-called safety schools. These aren’t just average students; we’re talking about kids who excelled in multiple varsity sports, led clubs, dedicated hours to volunteering, all while maintaining a 4.0 GPA and scoring high on the SAT and ACT.
The higher education gatekeepers will probably protest from their ivory towers, arguing that international students face even harsher competition at prestigious schools, claiming that the acceptance rates for these students are lower than for American citizens.
But if it’s so competitive that our elite American students can’t get into college because there aren’t enough spots, then why are we admitting international students at all? Shouldn’t those slots be reserved for outstanding American students?
Considering this path leads us to a troubling conclusion: many institutions seem more focused on profit than on supporting American students. The reality is that they care less about students like Jacob Smith or Elizabeth Jones, who have done everything asked of them and truly deserve admission. It all appears to boil down to financial motives over national loyalty.
International students account for roughly 6 percent of total enrollment in U.S. higher education, but their higher tuition generates a significantly larger portion of revenue for many universities. This has turned into a billion-dollar industry, enabling colleges to boost their endowments and fund various projects. They often conceal the fact that many schools featured in the video have a much higher percentage of international students than that national average.
For instance, international students represent about 22 percent of total enrollment at the University of Michigan, 32 percent at UPenn, and 27 percent at Northwestern. In some institutions, that percentage soars above 50, like Northeastern University in Boston, where international students make up 64 percent of the total enrollment.
As a mother who is still years away from dealing with college applications, I can’t shake the worry that comes over me when viewing that video. The number of international students in the U.S. has nearly doubled since 2001—what will it look like by the time my daughters are applying for college?
It hit me hard that the best chance for an American student to secure college acceptance might involve having their family relocate to another country, obtaining citizenship, and then applying as an international student.
It’s akin to the DEI acceptance policies that have marred U.S. higher education; that international status could potentially bolster their applications.
How much lack of love for this country or indifference to American students’ challenges does it take for this to be considered acceptable?
For generations, we’ve taught our kids that success hinges on a college education. Work hard in high school, get into college, and finish your degree in a desired field like STEM, medicine, or law—and the world is your oyster. But that doesn’t seem to hold true anymore.
The initial hurdle is fighting for college admissions against international applicants. But even if you manage to overcome that, you still face the daunting task of job hunting afterward. As an American who navigated the college system, you’ll likely find yourself competing for scarce positions with a growing number of H1-B visa holders. Employers often view international candidates as more appealing for their financial interests, overlooking American applicants entirely.
This trend is deeply concerning.
Some might suggest that Americans skip college altogether, claiming that they serve merely as indoctrination centers. “You’d be better off in the trades.” While for some that could be the case—running a plumbing or electrical business is entirely respectable and can be quite rewarding—trades aren’t a fit for everyone. So we might as well be telling exceptional students that it’s just bad luck they were born in a time when their hard work goes unrewarded. “Have you considered livestreaming?”
The future looks dim for our children, and it doesn’t seem like it’s going to change anytime soon. When going through the video’s comments, I noticed that when someone proposed denying international admissions for Americans to secure their spots, the original poster seemed baffled by the suggestion.
“U.S. schools shouldn’t accept foreigners,” commented one user.
“I don’t understand that perspective. I genuinely want to know why people think that’s right. Foreign student tuition is considerably higher, and attending a U.S. college doesn’t provide a legal immigration pathway. Admissions are merit-based—why shouldn’t they?” responded the original poster.
“Why should public institutions like UCLA, UMich, or UVA accept any foreign students? The residents of these states and American citizens have a moral right to those resources. Paying slightly more isn’t a valid argument,” said another commenter.
And they make a good point. U.S. higher education has historically been the route to success, but access to it shouldn’t be unconditional now or ever. It should prioritize American students first. If other nations want to educate their students, it should be exceptional for them to come to the U.S. These are American schools meant to serve American students.
I’m firmly trying to avoid isolationist views; I understand that mindset isn’t healthy. Still, there’s a valid argument for prioritizing Americans. If our colleges and universities need millions in international tuition to survive, perhaps they deserve to fail for neglecting their own citizens. Each day I see stories reinforcing this belief only strengthens my perspective.
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