Will International B-School Students Steer Clear Of The U.S. Under Trump? More Experts Weigh In

Will international applicants who might have applied to U.S. business schools decide to go elsewhere now that Donald Trump is U.S. president again? Trump’s increasing attacks on higher education — which include an investigation into an organization that has promoted B-school faculty diversity for three decades — have many observers, inside graduate business education and out, suggesting a looming crushing effect on the international student populations that B-schools rely on.

Last week Poets&Quants asked a trio of top admissions consultants what they are seeing so far from their clients — whether, two months into the new administration, its strongly anti-immigrant, anti-higher ed messaging has the power to dissuade talented MBA candidates from applying to U.S. schools. Below find more views on the matter from more of the leading names in MBA admissions consulting — all of them honorees as P&Q‘s top admissions consultants in any given year.

BARBARA COWARD, FOUNDER OF MBA 360 ADMISSIONS

P&Q: In light of the Trump administration’s crackdown on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and its withdrawal of federal funding from major universities (Columbia), what are you hearing from clients about applying to U.S. programs? Are you seeing greater interest in applying abroad? 

I haven’t seen greater interest in applying abroad. The reasons for applying for an MBA in the UK or Europe (the two major international markets for my clients outside the U.S.) are the same as they were in the past, driven primarily by career goals or personal considerations, such as family in the country.

P&Q: How has your clientele been impacted by the current uncertainty — are you seeing greater interest as recession fears grow, as has been historically the case, or is it different this time, because of the seeming antipathy toward higher education by the Trump admin? 

My clientele is always impacted by uncertainty, in general, since it’s a big risk to leave a stable and secure income to attend a full-time MBA program with no guarantee of a job after graduation. Media rankings and career placement statistics can help provide assurance but every candidate is looking at the decision through the lens of their future, not others who went before them.

That’s why I often say that the catalyst for the MBA is when the status quo is no longer working for the prospective student. I’ve had clients who have decided to apply to business school, even after years of consideration, because of a personal life change. One client, in fact, was motivated to dive into the application process after her dog died.

I really don’t see the Trump administration having antipathy toward higher education. The President, for starters, often brags about graduating from the “Wharton School of Finance” as he still calls it. He has also boasted about his uncle, John Trump, who earned a doctorate in engineering at M.I.T. and later was a faculty member at the Institute. Then there are those in the Trump administration who have graduate degrees, including  Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, although he reportedly “mailed back” his diploma to the Harvard Kennedy School!

I have had one client from Mexico and another from South Africa worried about getting accepted due to the perception of international students not being welcome. The current political environment is secondary to the desire for career advancement. I’ve even heard comments like “All I want is the opportunity or a chance” to achieve career dreams.

P&Q: Have you noticed a decline in the number of applicants seeking MBA admissions consulting services since Trump took office? If so, do you attribute that decline to any one specific action or a cumulative effect?

I haven’t seen a decline in prospective applicants seeking MBA admissions consulting services. I continue to see a strong need for guidance to gauge whether it’s worth applying.  I’m typically talking to prospective applicants every day and the #1 question that I get is “Do you think I have a chance of getting in?” It may be more fragmented than it was previously due to technology, such as forums on Reddit or ChatGTP.  But once prospective students decide to apply, there’s often the dilemma of how to tell your story to the admissions committee.

P&Q: Are fewer international applicants reaching out to you for help with U.S. business school applications? How has that affected your business?

So, I’m a bit different that others, I suspect, in that I am seeing more prospective clients reach out this year but that is also attributed to marketing initiatives, such as attending MBA Tour events, which I didn’t do last year. On a personal note, I was the primary caregiver for an elderly parent who passed away in October. So, I had to dial back my business (take on a limited number of clients, etc.) that is (sadly) no longer the case now.

P&Q: What impact has the Trump administration’s policies—such as visa restrictions and anti-DEI measures, but also general rhetoric — had on your clientele and the types of applicants seeking your services?

One client was worried that her commitment to and work in DEI as elaborated in her essays would be viewed negatively. This admissions journey is such an anxious time because of the uncertainty involved and not having control once you’ve submitted your application. The visa restrictions and change of policy with respect to DEI in the administration do not amplify this anxiety. But many people, you know, are not going to give up their dreams. It’s one thing to say that you won’t come to the States because of the current administration. But if you had an offer of admission from Stanford Graduate School of Business or Harvard Business School, would you really say “no” to that? It’s not like elite business schools are like Five Guys or Starbucks with locations all over the world. There is one HBS. One GSB. One Wharton. And they happen to be in the U.S. so educational brand trumps, well, Trump.

P&Q: Has your approach to advising MBA applicants changed because of shifts in U.S. policy under Trump? Are you encouraging more clients to consider non-U.S. programs?

One prospective international student asked me today, in fact, if they should be concerned about coming to the U.S. during the Trump administration. I replied, “Yes, you’re going to have a big problem when you graduate because the economy is expected to be booming and you won’t know how to spend all the money you will be earning.” He’s starting on test prep immediately.

I’m telling clients that it’s a great time to come to the U.S.  The investments in the U.S. economy are unprecedented with $4 trillion moving back to the U.S. Also, I think business schools will be skittish that international student numbers will decline because of the rhetoric, so you might actually have an easier time getting into a U.S. program right now. Bottom line: do what’s best for you and your career interests. If you want a global career, well then, yes, it makes sense to apply to INSEAD over a top business school in the U.S.  But if you want to participate in the American Dream, then why not apply?

Also, I remind prospective students that if you are a gang member from Venezuela who has murdered people, then yeah, it might hard to get accepted by a business school in the United States right now. But business schools always want to see applications from candidates who are smart, worked hard, made a positive impact, and are positioned to do great things in the future.

P&Q: Are there new concerns or fears that applicants bring up in consultations now compared to 2016-2017?

New decade, but same concerns. “Do you think I have a chance?” Many prospective students underestimate their ability. It’s not a surprise, though. Business schools are massive marketing machines, so you hear about the Wharton MBA who created Warby Parker, but you won’t read about an alum who is still struggling to find work. As a result, the profile of students and alums can be super intimidating and can impact confidence of prospective applicants.

P&Q: Are business schools themselves changing their application processes or criteria in response to shifts in applicant behavior? Have you had to adjust your consulting strategies accordingly?

Too soon to tell for the coming year, so it will be interesting to see. In the past, business schools with DEI questions have led to confusion with some international applicants who don’t know what it means or think that it means something different. So they really struggle to come up with a story to tell.  I think evergreen essays like GSB’s “What Matters Most to You and Why” will continue to be valuable tools to learn more about the candidate, their behavior, and suitability for the program.

I find that I’m spending more time with clients providing a more holistic perspective of what’s going on. There is a lot of misunderstanding, in my opinion.

P&Q: In short, after two months, what do you see being the impact so far of Trump on B-schools and those interested in applying to them? 

Right now the U.S. dollar is very strong compared to other currencies, making tuition at U.S. schools more expensive for international students. A stated goal of this administration is to reduce long term interest rates and weaken the dollar, which should actually reduce costs for international students. Many international students I’ve spoken to are concerned about the uncertainty over what long term impact tariffs may have on the U.S. economy and how that might affect job prospects after graduation. They’re a bit worried, but not enough to pass up a chance to attend one of the world’s best business schools in the U.S.

RAJDEEP CHIMNI, FOUNDER OF ADMISSIONS GATEWAY

While the current U.S. administration’s policies have caused uncertainty, client volumes at Admissions Gateway have grown. Applications to top business schools have increased in this admissions cycle. Since the administration, the Fed and the treasury seem to be keen on engineering a recession; we expect applicant numbers to go up as they run counter cyclical to a recession.

Not to downplay the uncertainty international candidates and diverse applicants face in this environment but international candidates have great career options in various countries. Twenty of our Harvard admits in Round 1 got financial aid in the $150K-$170K range, and have the flexibility to pursue careers in their home countries or elsewhere as debt is low. Even MIT has granted multiple clients 100% scholarships.

Admissions Gateway focuses on helping students gain admission to the “Top-10” programs in the world and hence demand for these programs is always high. We are the top “M7 application” firm in the world and help clients from 20+ countries but have limited capacity, so our being full is not reflective of overall demand for an MBA.

While the current administration’s impact is not positive, I see little impact on top B-school applications. Would I as an applicant be uncertain or scared? Yes. Would I attend Harvard, Wharton, Stanford or Kellogg? Yes. Frankly, I believe that if one goes to a top business school, one will build the self-belief, resilience, knowledge, intuition and network to do well. I graduated from Kellogg jobless during the housing crash, and while it was extremely tough going then, I am doing fine now.

SCOTT EDINBURGH, PRESIDENT, CEO & FOUNDER OF PERSONAL MBA COACH

Poets&Quants: In light of the Trump administration’s crackdown on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and its withdrawal of federal funding from major universities (Columbia), what are you hearing from clients about applying to U.S. programs? Are you seeing greater interest in applying abroad? 

We haven’t seen a greater interest in applicants applying abroad. Here and there but I wouldn’t say a noticeable increase.

P&Q: How has your clientele been impacted by the current uncertainty — are you seeing greater interest as recession fears grow, as has been historically the case, or is it different this time, because of the seeming antipathy toward higher education by the Trump admin? 

Currently, we are seeing greater interest from clients in the government and military sectors. We do expect as round 1 deadlines near, and private sector layoffs continue, we will see an increase in overall application volume.  

P&Q: Have you noticed a decline in the number of applicants seeking MBA admissions consulting services since Trump took office? If so, do you attribute that decline to any one specific action or a cumulative effect?

No, we are not seeing a decline in interest in our services.

P&Q: Are fewer international applicants reaching out to you for help with U.S. business school applications? How has that affected your business?

We have not seen a noticeable difference in international applicants. Initially we fielded some questions but it seems to have died off and people are not too concerned.

P&Q: What impact has the Trump administration’s policies — such as visa restrictions and anti-DEI measures, but also general rhetoric — had on your clientele and the types of applicants seeking your services?

We are seeing some excitement from applicants because for years they were asked to write about DEI when many of them come from parts of the world where they were not exposed to this. It will be interesting to see an increase in focus on past accomplishments, leadership experience and post-MBA goals.

P&Q: Has your approach to advising MBA applicants changed because of shifts in U.S. policy under Trump? Are you encouraging more clients to consider non-U.S. programs?

Over the past few years, we have seen a slight increase in the number of applicants looking at international business programs. The sticker price is lower and students get a truly international experience in Europe, more so than at programs here in the US. But we haven’t seen Trump change that. To be honest we don’t think Trump will do anything but encourage more visas for skilled workers. It should be positive overall and any worry is likely just because of hype. 

P&Q: Are there new concerns or fears that applicants bring up in consultations now compared to 2016-2017?

The job market is brought up. But it is an amazing time to apply! You want to apply in a down market and then recruit in an up market. There is no better time than now for an MBA!

P&Q: Are business schools themselves changing their application processes or criteria in response to shifts in applicant behavior? Have you had to adjust your consulting strategies accordingly?

While applications are not yet open for the 2025-2026 MBA application cycle, we would not be surprised to see some changes in the overall essay questions, particularly as they pertain to DEI in light of the current policies. This will lead to some changes in our overall application strategy. However, this shift already began after last year’s supreme court ruling as top MBA programs are increasingly focused on clients’ post-MBA goals and how they will avail themselves of the resources on campus as well as contribute to their future communities. 

P&Q: In short, after two months, what do you see being the impact so far of Trump on B-schools and those interested in applying to them? 

While there is clearly a high level of uncertainty, overall, we have not yet seen any sweeping changes. Applicants are putting a bit more thought into their decisions and some clients are waiting to see how the next few months unfold before making any major decisions. MBA applications have always increased during a recession and we would not be surprised if this trend continues for the 2025-2026 application cycle. While there is some concern from international students, historical analysis generally shows that the rates of student visa approvals did not vary drastically under the Trump administration. 

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