In an exclusive interaction with The Free Press Journal, Terrence Graham, Associate Dean for Graduate Education and Chief International Officer at University of Southern California, Mann School of Pharmacy, shared insights into the university’s innovative approach to education, the integration of AI in academics, and the global appeal of studying in California. He also touched upon the specific structure of USC’s programs, opportunities for international students, and broader implications of fostering a global perspective in higher education.
FPJ: What attracts Indian students to California?
Graham: California offers sunshine, blue skies, ocean, and mountains, making it ideal for students who love the outdoors—surf in the morning and ski in the afternoon. It combines beach, mountain, and city life with easy accessibility. The state’s diverse economy provides plentiful job opportunities, especially in technology, healthcare, and entertainment, with many students finding great prospects after graduation and staying in cities like San Francisco or San Diego. Additionally, a large Indian diaspora in Los Angeles helps students feel at home, offering familiar food and a supportive community to ease the transition.
FPJ: What is the current number of Indian students at USC?
Graham: As of Fall 2023, we have over 2,600 Indian students enrolled at USC. The exact number is 2,642.
FPJ: Which program is most popular among Indian students at USC?
Graham: The largest number of Indian students are in the School of Engineering, particularly in the Viterbi School of Engineering. The Marshall School of Business also attracts many students from India, along with the School of Pharmacy. Most Indian students in my department, the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, are enrolled in master’s programs, with a few in our PhD programs and a small number in the PharmD program, which is a post-bachelor’s professional degree. We only started offering undergraduate programs in the last seven years, so we’re seeing more Indian students enrolling in those programs as well. USC has around 19,000 undergraduates and 25,000 professional graduate students.
FPJ: How does USC support Indian students?
Graham: Indian students feel safe, comfortable, and respected in our programs. At the graduate level, we provide pre-arrival orientation, helping students prepare for their journey, including guidance on airport arrival, transportation, accommodation, and advice on housing and budgeting in LA. Present student and alumni stories have much that they can bequeath, by which they find themselves better set.
After joining, we have an orientation for a full week. That covers all formalities: paperwork, of course, but also introduces them to academic life, meeting with advisors and faculty members, exploring labs, and connecting with continuing students. We recently initiated a peer mentoring program for our master’s and PhD students where senior students mentor a small group. They meet with their mentees at least twice each semester, providing a structured way to connect and check in.
FPJ: How are Indian students contributing to the U.S. economy?
Graham: Indian students are work-orientated and seek opportunities. So, as I am overseeing Graduate Affairs and Global Initiatives Offices, I hire proctors for the exams. Many of them happen to be Indians. It’s an on-campus job, which means they are paid on an hourly basis, and they also get a social security number. Most Indian students take these up very seriously just to gain some experience at work. We also have a summer program for international students, and last summer we had about 100 students from 13 countries, including India. I hire course assistants, similar to teaching assistants, to support the program. This role provides both work experience and professional development, as they mentor other international students.
FPJ: What does USC look for in Indian students applying to your university?
Graham: We look at their academic background and scores. One recent change at USC is that effective summer 2025, we will accept three-year Indian bachelor’s degrees as equivalent to a four-year U.S. bachelor’s degree, provided the student earned their degree with a grade of A or above from an accredited Indian institution. In the process of reviewing applicants, we also factor in the background institution they hail from and academic performance. We see over 200 applications competing for 15 available spots within our lab-based PhD programs. We look for research experience, preferably in terms of a few publications through posters or manuscripts, and can add to the scientific community from the word go.
FPJ: What opportunities are available for Indian students at USC?
Graham: Initially, due to visa restrictions, international students can only work on campus during their first year, but there are plenty of opportunities across our two campuses. With 44,000 students, USC offers jobs in libraries, fitness centres, advising, proctoring, and as laboratory assistants, where students can work up to 20 hours per week. Our master’s programs prepare students with laboratory and research experience, and many of our Indian students move on to top-tier PhD programs or industry roles in pharmaceutical or biotech companies. California, especially Los Angeles and San Diego, has a rich concentration of such companies, providing excellent networking and career opportunities for our students.
We host career fairs, panel discussions, and field trips. For instance, we take groups of students to Amgen’s Thousand Oaks campus regularly so that they can experience a day in the life of a scientist. These connections help facilitate placements in both academia and industry for our master’s and PhD graduates.
FPJ: What medical care and safety facilities are available for students?
Graham: Regarding medical care, all our students are covered under student health insurance, and they have access to our Student Health Center and fitness facilities. We also have top-of-the-line medical facilities on our Health Sciences campus, including hospitals, that students can access if needed. We have several initiatives for safety. For instance, USC offers shuttle services between our campuses. We also offer a rideshare program in which students can use Lyft free of charge within a certain radius of the campus. This is particularly helpful for students working late in the lab because they can use the service to get home safely.
FPJ: Can the US benefit from Indian students’ concerns over study abroad restrictions?
Graham: Yes, I have seen some students who were considering Canada before are now focusing on US universities. I do hope our policies will remain quite favourable for international students because it’s a global competition for the best students around the world. Top destinations like the US, Canada, the UK, and Australia are all competing for these students, and we try to make the US an attractive option.
FPJ: Advice for Indian students applying to USC?
Graham: My first piece of advice is to study hard! But beyond that, it’s crucial to do your research. Understand why you want to study in California and, more specifically, at USC. California is unique, and so is USC. It’s important that you can articulate why our university is the right fit for you, both in your application essay and in any interviews. We want to know that you’ve thought about this decision carefully and that you’re making a conscious choice to apply to USC. It’s great if you’re considering other universities, but be able to tell us why USC is the best place for you.
FPJ: What are the major challenges Indian students face coming to the US?
Graham: It can be very challenging, especially for graduate students. The expectations are very high. Graduate programs, in our master’s and PhD programs, require long hours and an enormous amount of hard work. One of the biggest challenges is how to manage the workload and adjust to the level of expectation. The students need to really top their material, form study groups, and build good relationships with their professors and mentors. Consistent attendance is something that research students tend to need for their work. The first month or two can be a wake-up call, so a peer mentoring system helps students adjust. It is essential not to get far behind because two years is hard to catch up on.
Practical challenges of staying in a city like Los Angeles include socio-economic issues. It’s diverse but also has safety concerns among students. The transportation is not as strong, so the buddy system is encouraged for safety, especially at night. High cost of living with rent and day-to-day expenses that add strain. Students have to learn how to manage finances and cook, assuming more independence at home, where they may rely less on their parents.
