To think people might avoid applying to US universities until Trump is gone?

[yougi]

DD is in a school where quite a lot are international and / or apply to US unis. However, many are now saying they don't want to spend 4 years over there during the current political climate. It's only a month into the MAGA administration - imagine what it could be like in 3 years. Even if there isn't some form of civil war as they align with Russia, descend into inane 'disinformation space' and weird fundamentalist Christianity while alienating themselves from former allies, university campuses are obviously the focus of demonstrations anyway, so likely to be very volatile in the coming years. Also, there is the loss of 'cultural capital' involved in studying there as the MAGA ideology increasingly plays out. AIBU to think it's not worth the application process?

Some people might choose to avoid it. That is up to them.
Others might just focus on which ever educational institution they are aiming for.

I don't think US universities are going to be worried and will continue to fill up all their places.

The US still remains the most desired country to immigrate to, especially looking at the stats.
The US is also incredibly hard to get into.

So by going to a university and getting the relevant visa, is a foothold to either finding an employer or program to sponsor a work visa (which in turn can open up the opportunity to adjust status) or by having three opportunity to meet someone, get married and adjust status without having to deal with separation and consular processing.

And it'll be the same here. Regardless of political alignment, the UK will still remain an attractive place to study for international students because of the doors it can open and prospects it can bring.

Regardless of political alignment, the UK will still remain an attractive place to study for international students because of the doors it can open and prospects it can bring.

Except far far far fewer international students are coming to the UK....

Ironically Trump just may save UK HE.

I honestly don't think it will affect things at all. It's actually a very few people that are het up over Trump. And many of those wouldn't have gone to the US in the first place.

Most people aren’t suffering from Trump Derangement Syndrome so almost everyone who would have applied before will apply now.

I think significantly less will apply because the process for applying to Ivy League is very different to applying to Oxbridge or other top U.K. institutions. Schools advise to do one or the other, but not both. The prospect of being among all that for 4 years will put people off. It's bad enough here.

One of my relatives has decided not to go to uni in the USA. It’s just too unstable.

This actually happened last time Trump was in power, so you are quite correct.
https://www.theguardian.com/education/2025/feb/21/trumps-re-election-to-boost-uk-universities-as-fewer-students-choose-us

MIT and Stanford must be really worried!

Would you encourage your DC to study abroad in a country where the leaders friends do Nazi salutes, the audience cheers and the government are trying to get Andrew Tate released?

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14421211/trump-steve-bannon-nazi-salute-cpac-elon-musk.html

And the government website releases an ‘ASMR’ video of immigrants boarding planes in shakles? Even if you wish for illegal immigrants to leave, do you believe the manner and tone of this is right?

Which version of the Bible are these ‘Christian’s’ reading ?

https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2025/02/18/white-house-x-immigrants-deportation-shackles-asmr-video.html

Yes, many prospective students will of course be put off by the chaotic changes going on in the US.

Even if they believe themselves to be immune from the far right attacks on minorities and women, they will be affected by practical financial implications of, for example, federal research budgets in science and healthcare being slashed which will inevitably hit US universities hard.

It's the universities that are the problem in the USA. I'd recommend waiting til Trump clears out the rot before going anyway.

Yes Alison you really are a donut.

Some people certainly will. It seems likely that this administration will properly ban, or try to, any progressive discussion on campus, and that includes feminism, race relations etc and actually even enforce right wing rhetoric. And I know some will go 'Oh hahaha! Well that's just what the far left did! They'll get a taste of their brown medicine'. Well those people will find it how different it is when an actual government is quite literally enforcing a dogma.

Plus I certainly wouldn't want to send a daughter there. The government is trying to create rules that make it even harder for girls to report abuse and assault on campus, and abusers will pick up on this and take advantage. Also in several states she would have no right to an abortion if she got pregnant and, while I'd presume there are limits to what they can demand of a non US national, I'd still be worried about the movements of a girl who is suspected of being pregnant being somehow obstructed.

Of course. He's dismantling the department of education. Who would want to go to a university in a country that did this?

www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/19/education-department-trump

You never win your arguments when all you have is insults.

But crack on.

I guess you support the Harvard boss who thinks that calling for the death of Jewish people 'depends on the context'?

And also: Evergreen. I mean, come on. The system is utterly batshit.

I think it's a bad idea to go. The US is heading into a period of instability and I don't imagine people are going to sit on their hands while he jumps on a wrecking ball and lays waste to their democratic institutions.

This. My daughter is at uni in UK and I’ve advised against a year abroad in USA.

my dc on the fence but the Trump madness will probably mean no application to the US.

You are aware this is standard protocol for a number of undocumented migrants and has been taking place more since 2021... under Biden.

And here is an explanation why:

https://nypost.com/2025/02/17/opinion/riots-and-hijackings-why-ice-cuffs-and-shackles-some-deportees/

Also for awareness, the fear mongering and faux outrage press of mass deportations, Trump is deporting at a slower rate than Biden did.
Biden broke some records in 2024 for his deportations.

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-set-broaden-arrests-deportation-routes-expand-immigration-crackdown-2025-02-21/

I do think it will put a lot of people off. There is already a huge amount of research that has been completely killed in it's tracks because it pertains to diversity (be that race or gender) and I can imagine STEM will be wary of having to study under a system where they are effectively rolling back on progress.

I was listening to a lady on the radio saying Dr training is all up in the air at the moment as they are cutting things out and amending it right into the week they are meant to be doing the actual training.

Dd is into STEM and has been completely put off applying - more info here:
www.science.org/content/article/trump-executive-order-puts-stem-diversity-efforts-hold#:~:text=Many%20that%20have%20incorporated%20diversity,cuts%20to%20programs%20and%20grants.

Not everyone sees the negative impact of Donald Trump.

Most people with any foresight can, particularly for STEM.

I really hope Starmer opens some doors for their talent to come here and have free reign.

I came on to say this. American universities have been through much worse. The value of a degree from a top university in the U.S. will last a lifetime and open doors to employment opportunities in a thriving economy.

I'm an American and think you're catastrophizing a bit,