(Jun 1, 2025) In a dramatic move that could alter the course of global higher education, US President Donald Trump’s administration has launched an aggressive crackdown on elite American universities. At the focal point of the storm is Harvard, which has been temporarily banned from enrolling international students under the federal Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), following accusations of failing to curb antisemitism on campus. Although a federal judge has since paused the ban, uncertainty prevails.
Adding to the disruption, US embassies have halted new student visa appointments, while preparations for social media surveillance for international applicants is underway. For Indian students, the second-largest group in US universities, this double blow has sparked widespread anxiety.
Students and parents are understandably alarmed. But Viral Doshi, India’s most trusted education consultant, often addressed as the ‘Ivy League Guru’ is urging calm. Over the past two decades, Doshi has helped more than 15,000 students chase their academic dreams, and now, he’s helping them navigate this storm.
When you go to somebody’s house, you’re a guest. If the host changes the rules, you comply. This is what the U.S. is doing today. If you comply with the rules and regulations, why should we have a problem at all?
Viral Doshi
His pragmatic stance offers a rare dose of calm. Doshi believes that Indian students should focus on academics and research, and avoid getting entangled in political activism.“ Go to America for what it’s giving you—for its academics, education, research. Don’t get into political activism,” he advised in an interview with NDTV.
A voice of reason in an era of panic
For over two decades, Viral Doshi has been a lifeline for families dreaming of Ivy League glory. With more than 15,000 students guided, and a staggering success rate in getting them into institutions like Harvard, Princeton, MIT, Stanford, Oxford, and Cambridge, Doshi is one of the most sought after study-abroad mentors.
Despite the recent policy turbulence, Doshi emphasizes that America remains the gold standard in education. “Nothing matches America for its innovation, for its diversity, for its flexibility,” he said. But he also cautioned against romanticizing outcomes.
“You should be very much prepared that internships are going to be extremely challenging. Jobs are going to be very difficult to get,” he mentioned, adding that 50 percent of his students currently haven’t secured jobs, and internships are “virtually negligible.” Yet, his message is clear:
Don’t abandon the dream. Recalibrate it. Nothing matches America for its innovation, diversity, and flexibility. America is still right up there.
Viral Doshi
The Doshi doctrine
As per data from the Ministry of External Affairs, 1.8 million Indian students are currently studying abroad in 2025. This is a steep rise from 1.3 million just two years ago. Of these, over 331,000 are in the U.S., a 23 percent increase from 2023. Doshi believes that despite headwinds, the U.S. will remain a magnet for ambitious, academically-inclined students, as long as they are willing to adapt.
In light of the Trump administration’s latest crackdown, including revoking Harvard’s authority to enroll foreign students under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), Doshi highlights the resilience of both institutions and students.
“I was talking to my students at Harvard recently. They all said they’d rather wait, even for a semester or a year, than transfer. That speaks volumes,” he told. “Students should remain patient and calm.” He emphasized that the social media scrutiny isn’t discriminatory, and applies to all international applicants.
The accidental pioneer
Doshi’s own journey has been as global as the students he mentors. After completing his engineering at Cornell and working briefly in banking, he returned to India to co-run a manufacturing business with his father. But by the early 2000s, as interest in overseas education grew, Doshi began helping out friends’ children. Encouraged by his wife to follow his passion full-time, he shut his business and pivoted completely to education consulting.
What began as a hobby turned into a full-fledged mission. One of his first patrons was the family of journalist Fareed Zakaria. With his wife’s encouragement, Doshi shut down his superalloy manufacturing business and started Viral Doshi Associates full-time in 2004.
Since then, he has built a global footprint with offices in Mumbai, Dubai, Singapore, London, and New York, making access easier for the diaspora while allowing him to stay in sync with global education trends.
From elite to inclusive
Today, Doshi is most proud of how foreign education is no longer limited to the elite.
It’s delightful to see a foreign degree no longer being the preserve of the urban rich. There’s so much potential in Indian students. What they need is guidance.
Viral Doshi
With the explosion of career choices, from data analytics to bioengineering, Doshi says technology has democratized dreams. Two of his former mentees are now massive internet influencers. It’s a sign of the times and the breadth of opportunity.
A life dedicated to student success
Every year, he personally mentors close to 150 students, many of whom he begins guiding from Grade 9. “I advise like a parent, not as a counsellor,” he said in a Business Standard interview. “I sow a seed in a child and then see him grow into a tree.”
Doshi’s work involves psychometric testing, identifying strengths, guiding on career pathways, helping students craft standout essays and resumes, and even assisting with university interviews. About two-thirds of the students he mentors make it to the Ivy League.
Global aspirations, local roots
With the number of students aspiring to study abroad skyrocketing, the consultant’s work has evolved to reflect changing career landscapes. Fields like data science, bioengineering, AI, sustainability, and internet entrepreneurship are now the norm. And his services have expanded too. Doshi offers a one-stop roadmap for students and parents alike.
A self-described “first-day-first-show” movie buff, he finds joy in storytelling, a skill that translates well into his work helping students shape their own narratives for admission essays.
Stay the course
The world of international education is at an inflection point. With politics becoming deeply enmeshed in university policies, uncertainty is the new normal. But Viral Doshi’s message to students is to stay focused, stay calm, and adapt.
“Remain patient and calm. America is still a great country, and a great place to learn,” he noted.
In a world overrun with consultants and influencers, Viral Doshi stands out not just for his track record, but for his clarity, compassion, and commitment to a generation finding its place in an unpredictable world.
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