Will America give up its most valuable human resource?

The agenda in Turkey never settles; every day there is an arrest, bans, the never-ending debate on the constitution, and much more... Yet, recently, there is also the American agenda, which is just as intense as Turkey's.

President Trump's sanctions, particularly those targeting Harvard University, have become a subject of debate. President Trump signed a decision that would prevent Harvard University, which frequently ranks first in world university rankings, from accepting foreign students. Moreover, this decision, which also envisions the transfer of international students—who make up 30% of the student population and are part of the fabric of Harvard's existing education system—to other universities, seems set to deal a significant blow to the approach of inclusivity, equality, and pluralism that Harvard has defended to this day. Although the decision is expected to be overturned by the judiciary, the concerns it has created seem likely to persist.

International students studying at universities ranked in the top 10 or top 20 globally, especially those in the United States, earn their place at these institutions as a result of very serious effort. The general belief in Turkey that "you can only study at a good university abroad with money" is not true.

So, what do you need to do to achieve international student status at Harvard and similar universities?

To study at Harvard and similar universities, you first need to have a good high school diploma. This often means taking on a heavy course load known as the International Baccalaureate (IB) program or successfully passing university-level courses called "Advanced Placement" (AP).

Since the IB program is only available in contracted high schools in Turkey, it is not always possible for young people to take this program. Therefore, AP exams, which students study for on their own without being tied to any curriculum, are actually preferred more. These exams generally mean passing the exams administered by the College Board—which has international recognition—with a score of five out of five in subjects taught at the university level, such as statistics, physics mechanics, mathematics, microeconomics, and macroeconomics.

Does it end there? Of course not.

You need to achieve superior success in an exam called the SAT, which ostensibly measures mathematics and grammar, but essentially tests the student's time management, focus, and capabilities.

Additionally, depending on which country the university you are applying to is in, you need to get a respectable score on the internationally recognized IELTS or TOEFL to measure language proficiency. Although the U.S. has started to overlook SAT and IELTS scores slightly more since the Covid era to ensure equality, you still need these exams when applying.

Is that it? No.

Getting into these universities is not that easy. You are expected to have a well-equipped resume. It is very important not only to have academic success but also to mention the projects you are involved in, research, sports activities, social activities, and whatever else differentiates you from others, and to be as active and successful as possible in social areas. If you have handled the course requirements, international exams, and your resume, now it is time for reference and intent letters.

You can usually get reference letters from your high school teachers or, if any, from university professors who know you and your work and with whom you have done projects. In Turkey, if there is a young Turk who can get into Harvard, they can make headlines in the newspaper with that final stage, that is, with their letter of intent or any research they have accomplished. But know that the path that young person has traveled to reach that stage is very long and arduous.

Universities sometimes provide only merit-based scholarships, and sometimes both need-based and merit-based scholarships. Even to get in without any scholarship, it is mandatory to go through the same paths with the same level of success.

In short, this system, where universities in America find, educate, and train the smartest students in the world, constitutes their greatest strength.

It is not that easy to give that up. Although such a climate of fear has been created through Harvard, America, which is in a constant technology race with China, will not easily give up its qualified human resources. This "stick" seems like a warning for all universities to "listen to orders."

Otherwise, it would mean voluntarily giving up its competitive advantage card. We shall see.