Why U.S. B-Schools Need Chinese Students

The number of Chinese citizens taking the GMAT increased by 22% to reach 70,744 between testing years 2012 and 2016. china-admissions.com

OPT, CHINESE WOMEN, AND FAMILY EXPECTATIONS

The problems facing Chinese students are compounded by other factors. For one, business programs are only eligible for one year of Optional Practical Training, a period during which undergraduate and graduate students with F-1 status who have finished or have been pursuing degrees for more than nine months are permitted to remain in the U.S. Compare that to the 36 months granted students in STEM programs. The shortened window poses challenges in finding internships and career advancement opportunities.

Moreover, the predominance of female students from China taking the GMAT presents another dilemma. Fully two-thirds (67%) of all Chinese GMAT takers are women (compared to the U.S., where only 39%  of American citizens taking the GMAT test were women). Gender differences in communication style and confidence can make it even more difficult for female Chinese students, Choudaha says. “The cultural challenges related to speaking up in the class or professional networking for finding internships gets further magnified for female Chinese students,” he says.

Choudaha says families with students in China and those whose children are students already living in the U.S. see graduate management education from a financial investment perspective, expecting — understandably — that business school will be an opportunity to advance careers. “But the skills needed to succeed in business school are a lot more challenging for Chinese business students,” Choudaha says. “So business schools have to do a lot more in terms of adapting to this new and growing segment of students.”

Below, see infographics from the Institute of International Education Open Doors Report on the overall (not strictly business) Chinese student experience in the U.S.

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