Name: Joy Agrawal
University: University of Chicago
Course: Bachelor’s in Political Science and Computer Science
Location: USA
Key Highlights:
- Give faculty and location equal weightage as university and course when choosing to study abroad.
- University of Chicago admits students who can handle pressure and still excel.
- UChicago’s system outshines India’s with its discussion-based classes that emphasise critical thinking.
(April 28, 2025) When Nagpur lad Joy Agrawal was looking to study abroad, he wasn’t just focused on the university. But the teenager equally weighed its faculty and location. “Everything plays a pivotal part. Many students often overlook these critical things,” says Joy, who is majoring in politics and computer science at University of Chicago.
Joy Agrawal
Why the US for Tech Policy Studies
For someone interested in tech policy, Joy knew that he wanted to study in a country that has the most diverse representation. That’s when he picked the US over UK or Canada for his undergrads. “The US has arguably built a very strong tech system and infrastructure. If I want to learn how to replicate that, then the US was my best bet. If you want to do good for India, there is no point studying in India as we learn the same systems we are trying to change. I was looking at a global and a developmental perspective,” Joy tells Global Indian.
It was in last fall that he first landed at UChicago, but it was years of hard work that made him realise his dream. Clear about the path he wants to take in the near future – return to India to join politics and create a niche in tech policy – he wanted a university that could help him reach his goal. “I chose UChicago for its huge presence in India and its huge concentration in economics since I also needed an economic perspective. I want to learn how the new and upcoming disruptive technologies will affect the economy, and I needed to be in a place that gives me that perspective,” says Joy, who was equally excited to have Indian economist Raghuram Rajan on the faculty list. “He has a great opinion on how India should develop. Interacting with him in this space has been quite an interesting experience.”
Joy Agrawal with Raghuram Rajan
The Power of Place: Chicago’s Urban Advantage
With downtown just 15 minute away from UChicago, Joy has learnt the importance of location. “Students overlook it but I believe city matters a lot. It’s not just the college—you also need a city that fits both your professional and social life,” he says, adding, “Schools like Yale and Princeton are undoubtedly great but they are so disconnected from the real world that it becomes a bubble, which becomes hard to break out from.”
At UChicago, Joy says he is at the heart of the city that gives him easy access to the city’s entire professional network. “I can reach out on LinkedIn to people at top companies and set up meetings. For example, I met the Indian Ambassador in Chicago, who invited me to speak at the embassy’s Republic Day celebration—an incredible experience.” Moreover, there is a strong Indian diaspora in Chicago, which is helpful for Joy. “Being in a big city like Chicago is better than being in a small college town. If you’re only focused on academic research, a college town can work. But for public-oriented courses, networking is key—and the city you’re in matters.”
Holistic Admissions: Looking Beyond Grades
When he began applying for universities abroad, he understood that the colleges look beyond academic excellence. “Grades is important but not everything. When you apply to college, keep in mind you’ll spend only about three hours a day in class — the rest is up to you. Admissions officers want to see how you’ll use that free time, so they review your high school activities to understand how you manage your time outside the classroom. They want to know which social causes you support, the initiatives you’re involved in, and the issues you care about.”
Joy Agrawal with Perplexity AI founder Aravind Srinivas
Joy calls UChicago “one of the rigorous schools in the US” with grade deflation – average GPAs dip each year, making every semester more challenging. “They admit students who can handle the workload and still excel, and their essay prompts are designed to find exactly those candidates.” Explaining further, he adds, “First, there’s the “Why UChicago” prompt. Second is the “Extended Essay,” which includes deeper questions that let you showcase your intellectual curiosity and unique perspective. These essays highlight your ability to think in transformative ways. Admissions also look at your co-curricular activities—what you do outside the classroom—and, of course, your grades.”
For the admission process, one must submit two essays, complete high school transcript, at least two letters of recommendation (including one from your school and one external reference), a current résumé, and a detailed list of extracurricular activities. “You should begin preparing a year in advance, since applications open in August and are due between November and December,” adds Joy.
Bridging Technology and Policy: A Dual Major
Joy is double-majoring in political science and computer science because, as he puts it, “the two intersect perfectly” for his goal of working in tech policy. Joy believes there’s “a huge mismatch between the technological sphere and the policy sphere in India—people who are making policies aren’t technologically educated, and vice versa.” He warns that while “policy updates happen once every ten years, technology is developing so fast” that “unregulated technologies are creating a problem.” For him, “using new and upcoming technologies to help India and equalize access depends entirely on policy and law,” which is why “it’s important to create policies that foster development, research, and innovation.”
It’s been eight months since Joy arrived at UChicago, and he says the sense of euphoria still hasn’t faded. In this short span, he has found his tribe, have learnt the art of living abroad and has had some great experiences. He feels that he has had lot of exposure nationally and internationally which gave him enough confidence over the years to adapt and adjust to new environments. “For me, it’s been an euphoric experience to be in my dream university.” Moreover, studying has UChicago has deepened his appreciation for inclusivity and diversity, as he brushes shoulders with classmates from around the world. “It gives you a better perspective on life,” he says. “It’s so important to make friends who aren’t desi—that’s how you get exposed to their culture.” For Joy, this experience feels “like an intensive period of growth,” and he’s determined “to learn as much as I can during my time at UChicago.”
Rigorous Academics and Grade Deflation
Academics at UChicago are famously rigorous—“there’s a saying that UChicago is a place where fun goes to die,” he laughs, before adding, “that’s just an outsider perspective.” The school admits students who can handle intense pressure and still shine.
Since joining UChicago, Joy has found his classes to be a world apart from India’s education system. “Here, classes are small—no more than 20 students—and built around discussion and critical thinking,” he says. “It gives you the chance to present your thoughts. It’s a completely different pedagogy.”
In just eight months at UChicago, Joy has thrown himself into networking—connecting with everyone from Raghuram Rajan and the Indian Ambassador in Chicago to Rhodes Scholars. “I’m also running a few projects back in India,” he explains. “I recently raised $10,000 from the Institute of Politics at UChicago to launch India’s first refractive error screening program in rural and tribal areas.” He adds, “My focus is on India — my long-term goal is to return home and join politics.”
Joy says the best part of UChicago is the friends he’s found — his new “tribe” with whom he can spend hours lost in deep conversation or simply relaxing together. He’s also fallen in love with the campus itself, especially the architecture which is a blend of gothic and modern. “The proximity to the city is another plus point. Being only 15 minutes from downtown Chicago — where the energy is incredible—is a major bonus.”
Moving to a new country at a young age has its challenges, and Joy says managing life abroad as a teenager is one of the hardest things. “We have all the comforts back in India and parents to take care of our legal work, safety, meals etc, but here you have take care of everything on your own including filing the taxes. This is something that every international student goes through and adjusting to it is a challenge.” However, he takes each day as a learning experience, and is looking forward to the next three years at the university.
In a short span, Joy says he has evolved. At UChicago, he’s found top professors, a lively city, and small, discussion-based classes that make him think deeply. He’s built connections with experts and learned to handle everyday responsibilities on his own. This mix of challenging academics, real-world networking, and independence has turned his first eight months into a time of rapid growth—offering a simple guide for any student who wants both strong classroom learning and big city opportunities.
- Follow Joy Agrawal on LinkedIn
