by KYW's Dr. Marciene Mattleman
Ten years ago, the University of Virginia had only 17 Chinese applicants. This year, there are more than 800. Since UVa is a state school, there’s a limit on international students. Two thirds of its students come from within the state.
The number of Chinese young people coming to the US has been about 9,000 for years according to an article in The Washington Post. In 2007, it jumped to 16,000. The College Board now is adding testing centers in Hong Kong to meet the demand for SAT applicants.
The network of those applying is so strong, that when UVa started interviews by phone, within 10 minutes the University received calls from applicants asking when they would be contacted.
While other schools have had similar experiences, the rush to UVa started with scholarships to Chinese students and a series of columns written for a Chinese magazine about life here.
However, experts attribute the surge of Chinese students to that nation’s increasing wealth, fewer delays in obtaining visas and technology—all of which has made it easier to apply.
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