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MSU officials expect fewer international students

Steve Carmody
/
Michigan Radio

Michigan State University officials are expecting fewer international students this fall after years of growth. 

Jim Cotter, MSU's director of admissions, says applications for international students are down by 4.5%. 

He says that fewer Chinese students sent in applications this year, which contributes greatly to the overall reduction. 

"China is our greatest international feeder, so when that number declined, it made a more significant impact," Cotter said. 

In the fall of 2014, 4,733 Chinese students were enrolled at MSU, about 62 percent of the total number of international students. 

He says that a variety of factors could be affecting the decline in international applications, including the drops in the Chinese stock market

MSU had the most international students in Michigan in 2013-2014 year. 

Cotter says that despite the decline in applications from international students,  overall, MSU had a record number of applications. 

He also points out that they have seen more students apply from different countries. 

"India is up about 23% in applications this year. That is a much smaller base than China, but it does indicate significant growth," Cotter said. 

MSU expects at least 13% of the incoming class to be international students. 

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