Despite Visa Scrutiny & Job Uncertainty, Indian Students Still See U.S. As The Ultimate Education Destination

In an exclusive interview with The Free Press Journal, renowned education consultant Viral Doshi shares his candid take on visa rule changes, social media screening, job market realities, and why, despite it all, the U.S. remains the top choice for Indian students.

FPJ: How are the students & parents reacting to the new rule requiring public social media profiles for visa screening?

Doshi: Honestly, I don't think there's much to worry about—at least for most students. As long as your profile doesn't include any politically sensitive content or activism, you should be fine. What they’re really looking out for is whether someone is pushing a political agenda before coming to the U.S. That's the red flag. They’re not asking anyone to delete posts or hide their online presence; they just want transparency. If you're following the rules, there's nothing to stress over.

FPJ: Students often like or share memes or funny videos that could be political in nature, even if unintentionally. Could that lead to scrutiny?

Doshi: That's a fair concern, and honestly, no one outside the U.S. consulates really knows the exact details of how they're reviewing social media. There's no official guideline explaining what counts as a problem and what doesn’t. What we do know is they likely have a system in place—some sort of tech that scans profiles and maybe flags certain patterns or content. But are they going through each student’s history in detail? Highly unlikely. They probably want to see that you're not someone who’s consistently engaging in politically controversial posts or starting heated discussions.

FPJ: What about the new social media screening requirement for visas? Do you think this is a short-term measure or something that might continue long-term?

Doshi: Honestly, it’s hard to say. My guess is that it will stay in place for at least the next couple of years. The U.S. has the right to enforce its rules, and this is its way of addressing political activism on campuses. If they find this approach effective in curbing those concerns, they might keep it going. But for now, I wouldn't be surprised if it sticks around.

FPJ: Are frequent U.S. policy changes making students and parents think twice about studying there?

Doshi: What’s the alternative? Sure, there’s a lot of noise on social media and in the news, but when it comes down to the actual decision, the vast majority still choose the U.S. Yes, people complain about visa delays, new rules, and rising costs—but no other country offers the kind of education the U.S. does. Canada, the UK, and Australia—they’re good, but they’re not the same. The U.S. has scale, diversity, world-class faculty, interdisciplinary programmes, and unmatched research opportunities.

People might criticise America before they go, but once they’re there, they get it. On a scale of one to ten, U.S. higher education is easily a ten. So sure, some might explore other countries; maybe 5–10% shift elsewhere, but for most students, the U.S. is still the dream. All this talk about switching destinations? It’s more of a social media trend than a real shift.

FPJ: With the Harvard case in mind, could other U.S. universities also limit international admissions?

Doshi: Harvard is just one institution. From India, only about four students get into Harvard out of a population of 1.4 billion, so it’s not really representative of the bigger picture. The situation at Harvard is a legal issue that’s already been stayed by the courts. It’s specific, and I don't think it's going to spill over to other universities. Most U.S. universities have already adapted to policy changes. They're working within the framework laid out by the government. Honestly, if you think about it, no other major U.S. institution has been impacted like Harvard so far. Most colleges understand what’s being asked—they're being told to avoid political activism on campus. As long as they comply, I don’t see this affecting broader admissions.

FPJ: With more foreign universities setting up campuses in India, do you think that could influence students to stay back and study here instead of going abroad?

Doshi: Let me put it this way — if you had the choice between getting into Harvard in the U.S. or attending a U.S. college operating out of India, where would you go?

Most students would still pick Harvard. That’s because going abroad isn’t just about the degree. It’s about the experience — the diversity on campus, the research opportunities, the infrastructure, and the exposure to different cultures. You can’t replicate that here. Most of the foreign campuses opening in India so far aren’t the top-tier institutions. Some are newer or mid-level universities, and the model often includes one or two years in India and then a year abroad — it’s just not the same. Now, I do tell parents that things in the U.S. are changing. Internships are harder to come by for international students, jobs are becoming more competitive, and costs have gone up significantly. So if you're planning to study in the U.S. today, don’t go expecting a guaranteed job or a path to settling down like it used to be. Go for the learning, the global exposure — treat it as an investment in your future, not a shortcut to a job.

FPJ: With the OPT-to-H1B rule, how should Indian students plan academics and job searches?

Doshi: That’s a really important point. First of all, students need to understand that getting a job in the U.S. is not guaranteed — it’s a gamble. Even the brightest students might struggle. Sometimes it just comes down to luck.

That said, there are a few things you can do to improve your chances:

Focus on academics. Your GPA matters — it’s one of the first things employers look at.

Build relationships with professors. Many of them have industry connections or consult for companies. That network can help.

Tap into your alumni network. Reach out to graduates from your university who are already working in the U.S. — they’re often willing to help.

Make the most of your college’s career services. Use the placement office, attend job fairs, and apply early. But yes, it’s tough. Many companies now prefer to hire U.S. citizens or green card holders due to compliance with ‘Hire American’ policies. And with fewer companies sponsoring international students, the competition is intense. So my advice? Don’t go with the mindset that a job is guaranteed. If it happens, that’s great. But don’t plan your entire future around it.

FPJ: Will recent global and policy shifts impact international enrollment in U.S. universities?

Doshi: To be honest, I don’t think much has changed in terms of student interest. The U.S. continues to be one of the top destinations for students around the world, and the numbers are going up, except in China. That’s where I see the real shift. Fewer Chinese students are applying now, and that’s opened up more opportunities for Indian students. I’ll give you an example: there’s an Ivy League university in New York where the ratio used to be five Chinese students for every one Indian student in a master’s program. Now that’s changing—fewer Chinese applicants means more room for Indian students.  So in many ways, this shift is working in India’s favour.

FPJ: What advice would you give to Indian students planning to go to the U.S., and also to their parents?

Doshi: I always say this to both students and parents — you're not just going for a degree; you're going for the experience. Yes, it's expensive. And no, you might not get that money back quickly, especially with jobs becoming tougher to secure.

But you’re investing in a world-class education: top-notch faculty, cutting-edge research, incredible libraries, global exposure, and the opportunity to study with students from all over the world. That experience itself is priceless.  Treat it like buying a car or a home—you don’t always get your full money back, but you enjoy the value it brings. That’s the mindset you need.

And one more thing: don’t rely on getting a job to recover the costs. Jobs in the U.S. today are competitive, especially for international students. My advice:

Focus on academics — strong grades matter.

Build good relationships with professors — they can help open doors.

Use your college’s alumni network.

Make full use of career services.

And most importantly, stay away from political activism. It’s not worth the risk.

If, after all this effort, a job doesn’t work out, come back to India. There’s so much happening here. With the kind of exposure you get in the U.S., you’ll be better prepared to contribute meaningfully back home. And that’s equally rewarding.

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