Should Indian Students Still Apply to the US?Concerns Amidst the Age of Anti-Immigration

Haven't we all heard about travelling to the USA since childhood? May it be your parents, grandparents, friends or even an annoying cousin studying abroad, the country’s name has echoed over India for a long time. For decades now, Indians have aspired to live the “American Dream”, aiming for the Ivy League and researching for credible and well-known facilities, hoping to enter the vast sea of high paying job opportunities. 

However, in the past few years, a wave of anti-immigration sentiment has settled in the US, and made us all question: is it really worth it?

What are some of the issues? 

Due to the seemingly unstable political landscape in the US, the acceptance rate of applications has become unpredictable. Starting from mere debates on immigration, the country has seen increased propaganda from politicians wanting to impose restrictions on foreign students and workers. Currently, students are facing visa delays, and experiencing more scrutiny on documents, financials and social media. This makes it extremely difficult for students to organise their semester plans, travel routes, entries for dormitories and more importantly, scholarships, while having no surety about future career prospects. 

Racial slurs, hate crimes and school shootings are frequently reported these days; unsafety like this causes students to second guess their move abroad. Rising tuition fees, limited scholarships and the overall expenses lead to uncertainty, and there is immense pressure, with some students investing up to Rs 1 crore on a single degree. It is a high stakes game, especially without a clear job pathway.

All these issues raise questions about our future in the US.

However, this does not mean that the situation is the same everywhere. The silver lining is that thousands of Indian students study abroad in the US with protection from their respective universities and cultural communities. News channels tend to sensationalise and dramatise issues for views and reach, and often, real incidents and events are blown out of proportion. It is a repeated observation that individuals tend to believe what is projected towards them.

The Good News

Funding opportunities, career advice and mental health resources are some of the many ways in which universities offer support to foreign students. Make sure to research the universities’ history of cultural diversity and tolerance, especially in relation with Indian students and make an informed decision.

Another factor to keep in mind are the applications itself. To make sure you get admission in your desired university, your application must surpass the standard. Every student applying is working to make their application stand out, and so must you! The essay you submit will be of utmost importance as this is where you get to present yourself to the college. 

DLRC gives us HOWLs — Habits of Working and Learning — a report that contains our overall engagement, consistency and behaviour, giving universities a holistic view of how we function and communicate. This is something that is unique to our application already, and we must make the most of it.

To bring in an alumni perspective, Arth Salgia said, ‘I would say you should try to stand out while writing the essays, don't go for the same generic story, and try to express yourself, don’t fake it. Our journeys as Indians are vastly different from people in the US, all of our stories are already unique in comparison, so there’s no reason to put on a persona.’

To sum up, showing yourself as the ideal student isn't going to work. Playing to your strengths and showcasing your learnings in an interesting and authentic manner is the real deal.

And don't forget, it’s okay to be worried — all of us are! Take a deep breath. Ignore your fears for now, don't hold yourself back and take into account all the factors. Yes, the US is going through complex times, but it’s still home to some of the best educational opportunities in the world. If you go in informed, resilient, and with a plan, there’s still a world of opportunity waiting.

So, should you still apply? The answer isn’t a simple yes or no. It all depends on the factors that affect you and the risks you are willing to take. But always remember— you have more power than you think to shape your journey.

By Saee Patankar, G11