International recruitment agents expanding, regardless of concerns

The use of agents to recruit students from other countries to attend U.S. colleges and universities continues to expand, despite concerns raised about the possibilities of fraud and the potential for international students to be exploited by agents. Thirty-seven percent of U.S. institutions use agents, although using agents to recruit domestic students is prohibited. Beyond the potential for fraud that can occur when agents position international students for admission to their preferred institutions, agents who receive commissions for placing them could be inclined to encourage enrollment in institutions at least partially for their own financial gain.

In a follow-up article by Hans de Wit, recruiting agents are portrayed as victimizing those they are supposed to serve. He says, "Universities and students are both actors and victims of this development, in particular institutions that are not highly ranked and less-competitive and less-sophisticated international students. What is the solution? It would be in the interest of governments, universities and students if the participation of commercial recruiters, for-profit pathway providers and other intermediate businesses would be stopped."

Reuters released a report on the potential ethical conflicts encountered when "special relationships" are perceived or claimed in recruiting Chinese students. The report offered examples of travel and honoraria that are sometimes offered to admissions officers to come to China. These arrangements are not uncommon within the U.S. and would not necessarily be problematic in other countries except in cases where participating gave the impression that the counselor had "a specific relationship with whoever's sponsoring this travel and that can be used to ensure a student gains admission. If the facts are as reported, you've got Dipont implying that a student got into college precisely because of their specific relations."