America's prestigious universities have increased quotas for students from community colleges
A 2003 study showed that only 3% of students from poor families enter the country's most famous universities, and 74% come from wealthy families. Now, according to CNN, a small group of 'elite' universities intends to increase admission quotas and select the best among 6.5 million community college students.
Historically, elite higher education institutions ignored such students, preferring to recruit applicants from high school seniors rather than from community colleges. According to 2005 data obtained by the Ministry of Education, only a third of those who entered public two-year colleges in 1992 received the necessary credits and were able to transfer to four-year colleges. At the same time, only one in a thousand students managed to get into a prestigious university.
However, the situation is beginning to change somewhat, as evidenced by the fact that five private universities (Amherst, Mount Holyoke, Bucknell, Cornell, University of Southern California) and three public ones (Michigan, California, North Carolina) have announced the allocation of additional places for community college graduates.
Effectiveness of the U.S. education system ranks 18th
The United States ranks 18th among the world's 24 leading countries in the effectiveness of its education system, reports the online publication 'World Education News and Reviews.' The publication cites research by the UN Children's Fund and the U.S. National Council on Education Statistics.
Both studies indicate that the top positions in world education are held by South Korea, Japan, and Singapore, while the education systems of Finland, Austria, Belgium, Hungary, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom are in a more favorable position than that of the United States.
Cambridge has more foreign students
The number of foreign students admitted to the first year amounted to 16.7%.
The growth in the number of foreign students (in 2004 their proportion was 13.4%) indicates that the university maintains its previously held position of increasing enrollment of students who are not citizens of the United Kingdom. This is due to the fact that foreign students pay more for their education.
Introduction of the new GRE postponed until October 2007
By decision of ETS (Educational Testing Service), which develops and administers exams such as TOEFL, GMAT, and SSAT, the planned changes to the GRE (Graduate Record Examination) have been moved from this year to the next.
The GRE, required for admission to American universities, was supposed to adopt an Internet format following TOEFL. However, problems associated with this transition prevented ETS from carrying out its intention on time.
Baden-Württemberg universities to charge tuition from 2007
After Lower Saxony, Baden-Württemberg became the second federal state of Germany to officially announce the introduction of tuition fees at universities from the summer semester of 2007. It is planned that the cost will be €500 per semester.