However, adding recruitment to an educational framework seems unethical to me when it is done in this manner — involving a middleman and so much money. I think education should be more equitable to everyone. Whereas in the professional arena, most people are on even playing field at least when it comes to salaries.

This practice reminds me much of the ‘Headhunters’ or recruiters I would have to go through to find a job in medicine about 10 years ago. It was difficult to find jobs advertised for physicians; they generally aren’t posted in the local papers. In order to find out about the job, you’d have to be in touch with a recruiter.

I found a few positions this way and also was let go of a few because of the high recruiters fees. I think that the medical recruiter positions may be disappearing, because it is now easier to find medical jobs advertised online.

I am saddened to see that this type of practice is happening in academia. Hopefully schools will start addressing the interest in foreign students wanting to attend schools in the United States and figure out a way to cut out the middle man. I like your idea about using “regular” university employees, to go out and recruit for their university as normal.

I am posting as part of the 31 Day Challenge, in response to Day 24, posting to a foreign country, instead of in a foreign language.

However, after reading the entire article, I will still stand by my belief that it is more cost-effective for a small-time university to hire commissioned agents to attract diversity and big tuition payments. In this smaller, flatter world outsourcing is the way of the future.

I don’t think any student is ever granted admission to a U.S. university based on one semester’s worth of grades. That decision, to the best of my knowledge, will be based on the quality of work over grades 10, 11, 12 and maybe even 9. It will also include indicators such as SAT scores as well as application essays and letters of recommendation. Surely you are not advocating that the entire admissions process hinge on the outcome of a single set of exams? If anything, that is one of my biggest gripes with UK and some Australian universities.

Before we turn this into a ‘bash the American educational system’ free-for-all, let’s take some time to simmer down. YES, there are deplorable practices within the System and their are unfair advantages built in (call it institutional racism, elitism, classism, or any -ism of your choosing). There are also some pretty good things going on as well. Let’s not forget that…

As for what you’re saying about early admissions — I didn’t argue with you about that, mostly due to my lack of knowledge (or understanding) about it, because this is the first I’ve heard of it (as I said previously, these scenarios do not happen where I’m from because they are simply not allowed). I think it’s wrong, period, and I’m disappointed that the American educational public has ever allowed that to happen. Y’know, there are times when I think America’s got education under control (when I see what some teachers / professors are doing in their courses) and then there are other times when I think it’s a right @#$@ mess (NCLB and this discussion).

Makes me think also of all the students I have taught who have been granted “unconditional acceptance” to American universities in January of their senior year based on predicted IB Diploma grades or even just their 1st semester report card grades. “Unconditional acceptance”? What the heck is that about?

So, *arms flailing* why isn’t anyone doing anything about this? Are the American public satisfied with all these inequities?

P.S. Mr H, wondering why you aren’t owning your comments? By this I mean that I have noticed you have not entered a URL in the comment form. I know who you are, but others don’t.