US education fair attracts thousands of Filipino students

US EDUCATION. Young Filipinos interested to study in the United States explore possible education opportunities at the 9th Education USA Fair in Makati City on Wednesday. Over 2,500 registered for face-to-face consultations with the representatives of 43 participating US colleges and universities. (PNA photo by Joyce Rocamora)

MANILA, Philippines – The United States is seeing great interest among Filipinos to study in the US as its one-day education fair on Wednesday attracts more than a thousand students and parents on the first hour alone.

In the 9th iteration of the EducationUSA University Fair in Makati, more than 2,500 registered for face-to-face consultations with the representatives of 43 participating US colleges and universities.

“The University Fair is a great opportunity for students to learn about the wide variety educational opportunities across all 50 US states, whether it’s community college and undergraduate degree at a four-year university, small private school or a large state school, graduate studies— there’s something for everyone at the US,” US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson said in an interview on the sidelines.

READ: Manila to host largest-ever US university fair

Carlson said this year’s fair is also the largest in terms of participating US higher education institutions and reflects how the US is “raising the bar” of its already strong education collaboration with the Philippines.

According to the annual Open Doors Report, the number of Filipino students in the United States rose past pre-pandemic levels in 2023 to nearly 4,000 students, with New York, California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, and Montana as the top destinations.

In the coming years, Carlson said the US government wants to see this total “rise much higher”.

During the fair, representatives of the participating US higher education institutions provided students and parents information on admissions procedures, academic programs, student life, and scholarship opportunities within the US education system.

READ: EducationUSA Fair opens doors to Filipino students

US Embassy consular officers were also present to offer guidance on the student visa application process.

Carlson, meanwhile, told parents that it is ideal to start exploring options for their children early so they can prepare them should they choose to study in the US in the future.

“It’s a process. So, it’s good to start early,” she said. “If you’re not here today, next year, when we offer this, bring your 15-year-old, your 16-year-old, get them thinking because when you plant that seed, that gives them time to make sure that they keep up the good grades.”

The following US colleges and universities participated in this year’s EducationUSA Fair: Calvin University; Carnegie Mellon University; Citrus College; Colorado State University; Columbia College Chicago; Culinary Institute of America; Ferris State University; Foothill + De Anza Colleges; George Washington University; Green River Community College; Hawai‘i Pacific University; Hult International Business School; Lees-McRae College; Lewis University; Linfield College; Luther College; Millersville University of Pennsylvania; Minerva University; Montclair State University; New York Institute of Technology; North Dakota State University; Northeastern University; Ohio Northern University; Old Dominion University; Riverside City College; San Jose State University; San Mateo County Community College District Office; Savannah College of Art and Design; Shoreline Community College; SUNY at Albany; SUNY College at Oswego; Tacoma Community College; The Digital Animation & Visual Effects School – DAVE School; University of Colorado at Boulder; University of Kentucky; University of Rochester; University of San Francisco; University of Utah Asia Campus; Valencia College; Virginia Commonwealth University; Xavier University; Yale University; and York College of Pennsylvania.