The Current State of American Higher Education
Written on 5 June 2025
In an unprecedented move, the United States government has blocked Harvard University’s ability to enroll international students on 23 May, 2025. At the time of writing this, the decision was put on hold after a federal judge blocked the government order, and the university filed a lawsuit.
With the Department of Homeland Security claiming it will withdraw Harvard’s Student and Exchange Visitor Programme (SEVP) if the university fails to meet the department’s requirements, US institutions and foreign students aiming to study in the US are now concerned that this will eventually affect them as well.
Since 27 May, US Consulates have been instructed to stop scheduling new appointments for students applying for visas. Students with scheduled appointments may also face delays or heightened security during interviews. Visas of foreign students currently in the US have also been revoked, leading to deportations and students being held in immigration detention centres.
The current administration is unpredictable – we cannot tell what new policies and decisions will be announced. Therefore the advice we are providing here are personal insights focusing on prioritising student safety and preparing for unexpected changes.
If you’re looking to study in the United States, here are some steps you can take
1. Double check your social media posts
Prospective international students are screened for ‘unsafe viewpoints’ even in the past. Currently the administration has shown to target expressions of Palestinian advocacy or criticism of US foreign policies. Intent is not taken into context, academic references to groups such as Hamas, satire and memes can also lead to being ineligible. Students taking part in events that are related to the geopolitically sensitive may also face rejection. Archive or delete posts that have the potential to flag you. Purging social media profiles is not advised, as the US Secretary of State has also mentioned that a lack of social-media profiles could lead to visa denial.
2. Prepare for contingencies
If you’re very determined to study in the US, be ready to face additional challenges and increased costs. The US government could potentially limit the number of international students in the US, meaning a cap on numbers and therefore a harder challenge to gain the more limited places. Even with getting an offer, the next challenge may be getting a visa. There is still a lack of clarity on what will happen, but it is important to temper expectations and devise solutions for any obstacle. You may be required to prepare additional documentation and put in extra work to show you are a ‘suitable’ candidate. Your application will likely take longer and require document authentication or even legal consultation. These issues can potentially be financially demanding and time consuming, so weigh your choices carefully. The opportunity here is that less international students will apply as the world looks at alternative countries.
3. Consider alternatives
Education in the United States has its strengths, and it can be difficult to think of other universities you can redirect to. There is no one-size-fits-all solution. While some may choose to study in another country, like UK, Australia, The Netherlands, China or Japan, some students might opt for schools that partner with US institutions, allowing them to transfer credits via course equivalency systems or a similar programme. PrepWorks advises if you would still like the US university experience, you could consider UK courses with a “study abroad” year opening up the possibility to study 1 year at their desired US university a few year down the line, although no guarantees as it would still be reliant on the US student visa situation. Others may take a strategic gap year while the situation stabilises, exploring internships or accredited online courses. Things could turn around as fast as they happened therefore there is no certainty how the next few years would pan out. Regardless, we believe it is paramount to speak to an education consultant before making a decision – they might be able to suggest an alternative that perfectly suits your needs.
Navigating the recent changes in international student policies can be confusing, but don’t let that shy you away from the excellent education you deserve. PrepWorks and many other education experts are here to help you achieve your dreams and work out your best fit pathway given the circumstances.
