Over 550 Filipino grad students explore World-Class U.S. graduate schools

On August 27, at least 550 aspiring Filipino graduate students participated in EducationUSA Philippines’ annual graduate school fair.

The free virtual event featured 30 U.S. graduate schools, as well as Fulbright Philippines, the oldest continuing Fulbright Commission in the world, which administers the flagship foreign exchange scholarship program between the United States and the Philippines.

Representatives from test organizations such as the British Council – IELTS, Educational Testing Service, and the Graduate Management Admission Council were also at the event and provided answers to questions about common grad school exams including the IELTS, GRE, GMAT, and TOEFL.

During the fair, participants visited U.S. schools’ virtual booths to share their academic goals, career plans, and other thoughts on studying in the United States.  U.S. graduate school representatives provided advice, information, and guidance to all aspiring graduate students throughout the event on Friday night.

“This event was really helpful because I can communicate with the school representatives without having to travel, especially during this pandemic,” said one participant.

After the fair, several participants scheduled advising sessions with U.S. Embassy-based EducationUSA advisors, for guidance on their college applications.  EducationUSA in the Philippines provides free advising on all aspects of applying to and preparing for study in the United States.  Since 2019, EducationUSA advisees have received Php115 million worth of financial aid from U.S. universities.

EducationUSA provides free advising services to prospective international students in more than 170 countries and offers students resources and tools to help navigate the five steps to U.S. study: researching schools, identifying financial aid opportunities, completing the application, obtaining a student visa, and preparing for departure.

There are more than 4,700 accredited higher education institutions in the United States, and an EducationUSA adviser can help students narrow their options, define their priorities, and plan their college careers.  EducationUSA does not offer scholarships, but it can assist students in identifying scholarship and financial assistance opportunities.

You can find more information about EducationUSA at http://educationusaph.org/about.