With the Donald Trump administration slapping Harvard with subpoenas on Wednesday to share information on foreign students, escalating their ongoing tussle, many Indian students are consciously considering other study abroad options.
Experts however expect Harvard to continue attracting Indian students despite the institution’s battle with the US government getting more intense. In the short term, the developments may lead to apprehensions among aspiring students, they said.
Some students who are yet to get admission in the US are considering options like Europe and Canada while some are looking at other Ivy League colleges. A few who either got through Harvard or were considering the premier institution are looking to defer their plans by a year till they get clarity, say study abroad consultants.
Immigration lawyers told ET that Harvard, in the current situation, could take recourse to two paths—either it concedes to Trump’s demands or enters a legal battle. Choosing any option may hurt the institute as it may lose out on international students in the short term.
Responding to ET’s query, Harvard said it “is committed to following the law, and while the government’s subpoenas are unwarranted, the University will continue to cooperate with lawful requests and obligations.” Harvard has a hearing slated for July 21 on the federal funding lawsuit.
“The administration’s ongoing retaliatory actions come as Harvard continues to defend itself and its students, faculty, and staff against harmful government overreach aimed at dictating whom private universities can admit and hire, and what they can teach,” it further said.
Over the last 48 hours, study abroad platform Collegify has seen a 20% spike in queries from students and parents, especially those planning to apply to Ivy League schools in the upcoming cycle. “There’s a palpable sense of concern—not panic, but uncertainty,” said cofounder, Adarsh Khandelwal. “This (subpoena) triggers discomfort for international families investing Rs 2–3 crore in US education,” he said.
The subpoena is more than just a legal investigation, it is political, said experts. They noted that stripping Harvard off its accreditation may not be that easy for the Trump administration.
“Harvard will push back vehemently as it is the cradle of some of the world’s best legal minds, not only in the US,” said Poorvi Chothani, managing partner, LawQuest. “These actions and court orders will hurt Harvard in the short term, as international students may decide not to join the university or may defer their admission to a later date,” she added.
According to Monika Tanna, partner, Singhania & Co, it may take months or even years of court processes if the subpoenas result in criminal investigation or civil lawsuit.
“Harvard may be subject to operational diversions, possible financing scrutiny, and reputational harm,” said Tanna. This might cause some apprehension among professor and student bodies at Harvard, she said.
One of the immediate worries for Indian students is US visa-related complications, according to Khandelwal. Consequently, a few students who have even got into Harvard are exploring other institutes like LSE or Cambridge, experts said.
Consultants are meanwhile advising students to wait and watch or defer admissions. “Letting go of a Harvard admit for a backup university doesn't make sense for students. A few of our students have recently written to the university for a deferral to 2026 and are yet to receive a confirmation on the same,” said Prashant Tibrewal, founder, Alum-n-i.
“If Harvard is cleared, it may emerge stronger, framed as a defender of academic integrity. If penalised, critics will amplify narratives of elitist misconduct,” Tanna said.
Experts however expect Harvard to continue attracting Indian students despite the institution’s battle with the US government getting more intense. In the short term, the developments may lead to apprehensions among aspiring students, they said.
Some students who are yet to get admission in the US are considering options like Europe and Canada while some are looking at other Ivy League colleges. A few who either got through Harvard or were considering the premier institution are looking to defer their plans by a year till they get clarity, say study abroad consultants.
Immigration lawyers told ET that Harvard, in the current situation, could take recourse to two paths—either it concedes to Trump’s demands or enters a legal battle. Choosing any option may hurt the institute as it may lose out on international students in the short term.
Responding to ET’s query, Harvard said it “is committed to following the law, and while the government’s subpoenas are unwarranted, the University will continue to cooperate with lawful requests and obligations.” Harvard has a hearing slated for July 21 on the federal funding lawsuit.
“The administration’s ongoing retaliatory actions come as Harvard continues to defend itself and its students, faculty, and staff against harmful government overreach aimed at dictating whom private universities can admit and hire, and what they can teach,” it further said.
Over the last 48 hours, study abroad platform Collegify has seen a 20% spike in queries from students and parents, especially those planning to apply to Ivy League schools in the upcoming cycle. “There’s a palpable sense of concern—not panic, but uncertainty,” said cofounder, Adarsh Khandelwal. “This (subpoena) triggers discomfort for international families investing Rs 2–3 crore in US education,” he said.
The subpoena is more than just a legal investigation, it is political, said experts. They noted that stripping Harvard off its accreditation may not be that easy for the Trump administration.
“Harvard will push back vehemently as it is the cradle of some of the world’s best legal minds, not only in the US,” said Poorvi Chothani, managing partner, LawQuest. “These actions and court orders will hurt Harvard in the short term, as international students may decide not to join the university or may defer their admission to a later date,” she added.
According to Monika Tanna, partner, Singhania & Co, it may take months or even years of court processes if the subpoenas result in criminal investigation or civil lawsuit.
“Harvard may be subject to operational diversions, possible financing scrutiny, and reputational harm,” said Tanna. This might cause some apprehension among professor and student bodies at Harvard, she said.
One of the immediate worries for Indian students is US visa-related complications, according to Khandelwal. Consequently, a few students who have even got into Harvard are exploring other institutes like LSE or Cambridge, experts said.
Consultants are meanwhile advising students to wait and watch or defer admissions. “Letting go of a Harvard admit for a backup university doesn't make sense for students. A few of our students have recently written to the university for a deferral to 2026 and are yet to receive a confirmation on the same,” said Prashant Tibrewal, founder, Alum-n-i.
“If Harvard is cleared, it may emerge stronger, framed as a defender of academic integrity. If penalised, critics will amplify narratives of elitist misconduct,” Tanna said.
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