Should International Students Still Apply to American MBA Programs?

It’s getting weird.

At Gurufi, we don’t usually engage in politics, but recent events have forced us to answer some hard questions for our international clients who are looking to study in America. Before I start, I just want to emphasize that America has spent over a century investing massively in our university system, and it’s the envy of the world. Moreover, I taught for four years at Harvard University, and my international students were consistently excellent. Many of them remained in America, built lives, and contributed substantively to their communities and to this nation. Since founding Gurufi in 2008, it’s been the great pleasure of my life to interact with and help clients from around the globe who dream of coming to America to get an education and achieve their dreams. Nearly half (223) of Fortune 500 companies were founded by immigrants to America or their children, and these include Apple (Steve Jobs, son of a Syrian immigrant), Amazon (Jeff Bezos, whose stepfather immigrated from Cuba), Tesla (Elon Musk, born in South Africa), Google (Sergey Brin, born in Russia), and Intel (co-founded by Hungarian immigrant Andy Grove). These companies generate trillions in revenues and employ millions of Americans.

That said, let’s talk about what this means for international applicants.

First, a quick overview of the policy changes. In May 2025, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced a temporary pause on processing some student visa applications while the government conducts a comprehensive review of visa issuance protocols. Though officials insisted that the pause would be brief and surgical, it has already caused problems for international students considering U.S. graduate programs, including MBAs. Also, reports have emerged of renewed scrutiny of international students, particularly from China and India, and mounting administrative friction surrounding student visas.

For many potential applicants watching these events unfold, the question arises: Is it still worth applying to a U.S. MBA program as an international student?

Though these events are fluid, and though it may be that policy changes and / or (intentional) incompetence within the State Department make it impossible to get a student visa, my short answer to the “should I come?” question remains “yes.” But it’s obviously an individual choice that you should make with eyes wide open. Let’s unpack why.

First, you may find that this year’s applicant pool is much less competitive. This won’t turn a poor candidate into an attractive one, but it could mean the difference for fringe applicants. Think of it as the difference between “rejection” and “wait list” or between “wait list” and “admit.” Why is this? While it’s too early to definitively say how this visa pause will affect MBA application numbers, some early signals are flashing red.

• Interest in U.S. graduate programs is waning. A recent Times Higher Education report found that international traffic to American graduate program websites is down roughly 20% since the announcement of the visa review pause.
• Tourism is down, too. While not a direct indicator of graduate interest, tourism has historically tracked closely with perceptions of safety and openness. Early 2025 tourism data shows drops of over 35% in tourists from Canada and Europe. Most analysts believe this reflects how America is currently perceived abroad. This is a useful, though imperfect, predictor of interest in coming to America.
• To put a concrete number on it: GMAC reported that 40% of students at top MBA programs were international, so a reduction in this applicant pool would fundamentally change the applicant pool.

What This Means for You as an International Applicant

Let me stress that this is fundamentally a personal decision. If you don’t feel that you’ll be safe or welcomed in America, and you choose not to apply to American schools, I can’t tell you that’s an irrational decision. Your anxiety is real. Many prospective international students (especially from Asia and the Middle East) have begun having difficult conversations about whether pursuing an American MBA is worth the trouble. You should, too.

However, for those who are willing to endure some uncertainty, this situation may actually present a strategic opportunity:

 

1. Reduced Competition

If international applications decline (and I think they will) they’re likely to drop most sharply at the top-tier schools with historically high international enrollment. This could mean less competitive applicant pools and greater odds of acceptance.

 

2. More Scholarships and Financial Incentives

U.S. business schools need international students, not only for the diversity they bring to the classroom but also for financial sustainability. Declines in enrollment may push many programs to offer more generous scholarships, targeted outreach, and financial aid to maintain global representation in their cohorts.

 

3. Support from Universities

This is the one factor that I would urge applicants to consider. After a rocky start in which most schools tried to appease the new administration, top universities have begun fighting to protect their students. To cite but two (of many) examples, Harvard is leading a well-resourced and aggressive fight to protect its international students and has won important early court victories. Similarly, BigTen universities have pledged to do the same.

Most top MBA programs now have entire offices devoted to global student services, legal help, and even lobbying for student-friendly visa reforms. Schools like Stanford and Yale have taken public stances supporting DACA recipients and international scholars. I expect them to do the same for MBA students impacted by future immigration issues.

Having attended Yale and taught at Harvard, I feel confident in saying that within the walls of the university, these schools will go to extraordinary lengths to make you feel welcomed, respected, and protected. This is both a moral / ethical issue for them and a matter that impacts their bottom lines.

 

4. Temporary Doesn’t Mean Permanent

Many people are taking a wait-and-see approach. These matters will be sorted out through legal and political means in the coming year, so if you’re planning to apply in 2026, this entire conversation may end up being irrelevant, depending on how it all shakes out.

That said, just as there could be a reward for taking the risk and applying this year, if these new policies get overturned next year, you might find yourself in a suddenly glutted and more competitive field that includes many applicants who waited a year to see how things played out.

Strategic Considerations for International Applicants

If you're thinking about applying to a U.S. MBA program in the coming cycle, here are a few recommendations:

• Apply early. If there are processing delays with visas, you’ll want to give yourself the maximum time for paperwork, travel plans, and contingencies.
• Prioritize programs with strong international track records. To name but a few, Harvard, Stanford, Duke Fuqua, MIT Sloan, Chicago Booth, and Berkeley Haas have consistently shown strong support for their international populations.
• Ask about post-graduation support. In your interviews or info sessions, ask schools how they’re helping international graduates secure jobs or navigate Optional Practical Training (OPT) and H-1B transitions. But, also have a bit of patience with these schools. It’s hard to underestimate how shambolic and random these policy changes are, and universities are doing their best to respond rapidly. So if they provide a vague or contingent answer, or if they say some version of “we’re working on it,” I would NOT view that as an indication they don’t take the matter seriously. These new policies have dumped paradigm-shifting transformations on schools rather suddenly, and they’re doing what they can to catch up.
• Have a backup plan. While optimism is warranted, realism is also essential. Consider programs outside the U.S. as part of your application strategy in case of prolonged policy shifts.

Final Thoughts: Caution Isn’t Cowardice—But Courage May Be Rewarded

It’s fair to be cautious. Applying to a U.S. MBA program as an international student in 2025 is not as straightforward as it was last year. However, it remains the case that the long-term value of a U.S. MBA remains enormous. The networks, name recognition, and career opportunities that these programs unlock are still second to none.

If you’re passionate about leadership, innovation, or entrepreneurship, and you're ready to bet on yourself, this could actually be a window of opportunity. Lower competition, heightened institutional support, and your own courage might make all the difference.

And, of course, if you’re an international applicant looking for help with your MBA application, please do check us out at Gurufi.com.