Louise Baldwin, senior associate director and director of immigration services and compliance at the University of Michigan’s International Center, discusses Indian student enrollment at U-M.

2022 saw a record number of Indian students coming to the United States for higher education. Did the University of Michigan see an increase in the number of Indian students?

Baldwin: Yes, we saw an increase. Fall term 2021 enrollment for Indian students was 1,047, and for fall term 2022, the number was 1,313.

What are some of the subjects at U-M that are attracting Indian students?

Baldwin: Business administration; electrical, computer and mechanical engineering; degrees from our School of Information; management science; and quantitative methods.

There are a lot of concerns over job losses in the U.S., and Indian professionals have been impacted quite hard. Is this a cause for concern among Indian students, especially those who are looking at internship opportunities and those who will be on optional practical training after graduation?

Baldwin: We are not seeing a significant decline in the number of students from India who are applying, so I don’t think it is.

David Hamilton is the international admissions and immigration coordinator at U-M’s Rackham Graduate School. A predominant number of Indian students attend Rackham, which isni leading a charge to reenvision graduate education in a way that is student-centered and faculty-led, and that emphasizes a holistic view of graduate training.

Are you expecting a similar trend in 2023 as well, with a larger number of admissions from India?

Hamilton: I think India will continue to be a strong ground for applications and increased enrollment for the University of Michigan and schools across the country. While international student mobility from places like China has been affected by things such as COVID and other geopolitical concerns, the Indian market has always remained somewhat immune, with the only barrier being the ability to secure a visa appointment in a timely fashion.

For a more comprehensive view of the U-M International Center’s enrollment numbers: 2022 Statistical Report (PDF)