Dhrumil Kharva rises from hardship to success at UCLA through education and community support
After graduating from high school in 2018, Dhrumil Kharva immigrated to the United States with his family from India, seeking better opportunities and stability. The early years were challenging. He worked at a car wash, handled packages at UPS, served tables at restaurants, and drove for Uber. At one point, Dhrumil was working over 100 hours a week to keep up with rent and help support his parents. “It was overwhelming, but I always remembered what my parents used to say—that one day, I’d return to school and build a future I could be proud of,” said Dhrumil. “Their hope is what pushed me forward.”
In 2021, Dhrumil enrolled at Cerritos College. He had no idea how to pick a major, sign up for classes, or apply for financial aid. However, Cerritos College provided the support he needed. The Admissions and Records and Financial Aid office staff were patient and helpful throughout the process. They assisted Dhrumil in understanding the system, showed him that college could work even with his full-time job, and reminded him that he belonged at Cerritos College. “For the first time in a long while, I felt like I had a chance to reset and rebuild,” he said.
Dhrumil’s education took a significant turn when he enrolled in Dr. Solomon Namala’s Economics 201 class during the summer session. Dr. Namala’s lectures not only covered supply and demand but also brought the subject to life in a dynamic and engaging way. Dhrumil started visiting office hours regularly to get extra help, share his story, and seek mentorship. Dr. Namala showed him the value of getting involved on campus. He encouraged Dhrumil to apply for a tutoring position, and soon, Dhrumil found himself working as an embedded tutor, assisting other students in their learning. This role instilled confidence in him in ways he hadn't anticipated. It also inspired him to double major in economics and business administration, something Dhrumil hadn’t even considered when he first enrolled.
Outside the classroom, he joined the Economics Club and served as secretary, organizing outreach events and engaging more students in the conversation. Dhrumil also joined the Falcon Leadership Institute and Adventure Club and volunteered with the LA Regional Food Bank. He regularly attended student government meetings with friends and joined Professor Peter Moloney’s Monday office hours, which became an essential space for learning and community. Dhrumil also found support through the Success Center for tutoring in English and math, and the Falcons Nest helped with essential resources like food and hygiene items. The EOPS office and Transfer Center counselors, especially Marvelina Graf and Brittany Lundeen, were always supportive. Vanessa Salas helped him fine-tune his university application essays, and he believes her feedback played a significant role in his success.
Dhrumil was accepted into seven out of the eight universities he applied to. After he committed to UCLA, Dr. Namala introduced him to Professor Humberto Merino-Hernandez from the university, who helped him explore all that the Economics Department at UCLA had to offer. Dr. Merino-Hernandez encouraged Dhrumil to apply to the Benjamin Graham Value Investing Program, of which he now feels proud to be a part. That moment felt like everything was coming full circle—from tutoring economics at Cerritos College to studying value investing at UCLA.
Transferring to UCLA was a major transition. The pace was fast, the expectations were high, and Dhrumil didn’t know anyone. But he relied on the skills he learned at Cerritos College to be proactive, show up, and ask questions. He joined the Chi Alpha Psi transfer fraternity, UCLA Bruin marching band, served as a transfer rep on the Undergraduate Students Association Council Academic Senate, and co-founded the Bruin Caregiving Scholars Club to support students like him juggling school with family responsibilities. Dhrumil also joined the UCLA cricket team, which gave him community, friendship, and a piece of home.
Dhrumil is preparing to become an investment analyst and studying for the Chartered Financial Analyst exam. “It’s not easy,” he said. “But I’ve learned how to push through challenging moments. One advice I always give other students, whether you’re just starting or transferring, is to attend your professors’ office hours. It’s one of the most underrated ways to get more out of your classes and to build real, personal connections with the people who want to help you succeed.”
“I started college after a three-year gap and transferred to the number one public university in the country. It was only possible because I held on to hope—hope to do something bigger and better, not just for myself, but for my family.”
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