International graduate applications to US institutes for 2009 increased at a lower rate than in previous years, according to a 7 April report from the US Council of Graduate Schools (CGS).

“We are seeing continuation of trend,” says Nathan Bell, CGS director of research and policy analysis. The data, based on 400,000 applications collected this year, should reflect initial effects of the global recession, says Bell. Applications were up by 4%, compared with 6% last year. Those from India and South Korea fell by 9% and 7%, respectively, but those from China rose by 16%. Global applications to physical sciences and engineering programmes slowed to a 4% gain after 7% last year.

Applications in life sciences fell by 2% after gaining 3% last year. This could be a one-time occurrence or part of a larger trend, Bell says.