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POST - ADMISSION
Now that you have got the admissions from one or more universities and the long wait seems to be over, what are the next steps?
- Determine which of the offers you will accept.
If you have admission form one university only, then this is a none-issue. However, you may be surprised by the number of admissions you may get like many Edulix community members; some with financial aid package some with out. So which one do you accept and which ones do you decline?
Edulix Expert Team's rule-of-thumb advice is to think in terms of your long-term interests. If Purdue offers you admission for MS program with no aid and an un-ranked small college offers you a complete tuition waiver with TA (teaching assistantship), we think you should probably take Purdue's offer. Your long-term interests are better served by going to a highly ranked school. If the rank between the programs is not that different, then accept the offer from the program that offered you some kind of financial package.
- Campus visit
If you live within a reasonable distance from the university you were accepted from, then it will help if you pay the campus a visit for a day or two. Look at the dormitories or rental apartments. You may also send out e-mails to faculty members and ask them if you can stop by their offices when you visit their campuses. Generally, faculty members are expected to honor your request.
- Visa issues
Although the general requirements for obtaining student visa are the same for all countries, some special issues may apply for specific countries. The best way to obtain current requirements is to check with the US Consulate in your area.
- Which visa should you apply for?
Types of Student Visas are:
The F-1 student visa is for academic and language programs. To be eligible for this temporary, non-immigrant visa, you must be accepted to an accredited college or university that awards bachelor's, master's, doctorate or professional degrees; an accredited community or junior college that provides instruction in the liberal arts or the professions, and awards associate degrees; a seminary; a conservatory; or an institution that provides language training, instruction in the liberal arts, the fine arts or the professions, or instruction in one or more of these disciplines. Except in few cases, the vast majority of visa students apply for what is called F-1 visa. Such students receive I-20 form from the institution that offered them admission.
The M-1 student visa is for vocational students (in non-academic programs). To be eligible for this temporary, non-immigrant visa, you must be accepted to a community college or junior college that provides vocational or technical training and awards associate degrees, a trade school, or a school of nonacademic training other than language training. Although almost none of Edulix members are interested in this type of visa, it is included just for your information.
The J-1 educational and cultural exchange visa is designed to promote the interchange of people, knowledge and skills in the fields of education, sciences and the arts. Participants include students at all academic levels; people coming to on-the-job training with firms, institutions and agencies; teachers of primary, secondary and specialized schools; professors coming to teach or do research at a college or university; research scholars; professional trainees in the medical and allied fields; and international visitors coming for the purpose of travel, observation, consultation, research, training, sharing or demonstrating specialized knowledge and skills, or participating in organized people-to-people programs. Students sponsored by their employers or under scholarship from their own government or US government generally are required to apply to J1 visa. Such students receive Form IAP-66 form from the institution that offered them admission. J-1 visa holders are required to have a mandatory return
to their country of origin and work there for 2 years before they could come back to the US on another visa.
Spouses of F1, J1 and M1 holders are granted F2, J2 and M2 visa categories respectively.
- Which consulate office should I apply?
You should apply in your country of origin. If you can help it, never apply for F1 visa from a third-country because doing so will prejudice the visa official to thinking that you do not possess enough attachment to your country of origin and hence highly likely candidate to staying in the US. There are of course exceptions; but if you can help it, make sure you apply from your own country.
- How about Dress Code?
No need to over-dress; but look sharp and professional.
- How about general Dos and Don'ts?
- Answer only what is asked.
- Be courteous but confident.
- Drop-box Option
This is becoming an increasingly popular way of applying for visa in some countries like India. If yours is an obviously good visa case and you don't want to wait in the line, you can use the Drop Box.
If you meet the requirements below, then prepare your papers as instructed and drop the whole package in the drop box (usually before 10:30 AM). You can pick up your visa the next visa processing day at the main gate (usually between 4:00 and 5:00 PM).
- You have traveled to the USA in the last five years and are applying for the same type of visa again
- You have made multiple trips to Western Europe or Canada in the past five years.
- You are the husband, wife, or child (before 16th birthday) of a current U.S. visa holder of the following Classes: B1, B2, CI/D, F1, H1, J1, L1, MI, O1, P3 (Include a photocopy of the visa, original I-20 (F1, M1), IAP-66 (J1) or I-797 (H1, L1, O1, P3) and proof of the relationships. Proof of a family relationship is demonstrated by supplying an original marriage certificate, marriage card, photos and/or an original birth certificate).
- You are a returning student, exchange visitor, temporary worker, or transferee
- You are 55 years or older and have a son or daughter living in the USA (submit a signed I-134 Affidavit of Support from your son/daughter)
- You are an H1B, J, L visa applicant who can present an original notice of approval and required supporting documentation.
- You are a government employee traveling on official government business, suitably documented.
- You are an employee of one of our Business Express Program Companies.
- What to Include in Your Drop Box Package?
See What do you need to apply for F1 visa?
- Who is NOT Eligible to Use the Drop Box?
Anyone who:
- does not clearly fit into one of the categories described above; or
- has previously been found ineligible for a US visa
- What do you need to apply for F1 visa?
- Your passport, valid for at least another six months beyond the date of applying for a visa.
- A completed and signed application form (Form OF-156)
- 2 passport sized color photograph (1 and 1/2 inches square, 37x37mm, for each applicant, showing full face, without head covering, against a light background)
- For the "F" applicant, a Form I-20A-B. For the "M" applicant, a Form I-20M-N.
- Evidence of sufficient funds, Financial Support Affidavit including bank account statements of sponsor or self.
- Nonrefundable application fee bank draft (US$45 as of July 2001)
- TOEFL scores. It does not hurt to carry GRE/GMAT scores.
- Proof of Intent to Return Back (family business, property, employer letter, bank account).
- If your previous US visa was in an old passport, please include the old passport as well as your current passport.
- Any specific papers requested above
Of all the above, the proof of intent to return may be the most important and difficult document. The legal premises under which US consular officers work is that any visa-seeking person is ineligible to obtain a visa unless he/she proves to the officer that he/she has no intention of staying in the US. This is purely subjective and puts the pressure on the applicant to demonstrate, through proper documents, that he/she intends to return to their country after completion of study.
We feel this is an outdated and archaic law that was written long time ago and is inconsistent with the rapid globalization of education and economy. However, until it is changed, it is still the law and applicants should prepare to address it.
- Financial Resources
Applicants must also prove that sufficient funds are or will be available from an identified and reliable financial source, either in your own bank account or from another source that you identify and that is reliable, to defray all living and school expenses during the entire period of anticipated study in the United States. Specifically, applicants must prove they have enough readily available funds to meet all expenses for the first year of study, and that adequate funds will be available for each subsequent year of study.
- Acceptance Form
An applicant coming to the United States to study must be accepted for a full course of study by an educational institution approved by the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). The institution must send to the applicant a Form I-20A-B, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status for Academic and Language Students. The nonacademic or vocational institution must send to the student a Form I-20M-N, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (M-1) Student Status For Vocational Students. Educational institutions obtain Forms I-20A-B and I-20M-N from the INS.
- Interview
If you are invited for interview to consulate, the documents you are expected to provide are:
- Financial statement that shows you have enough money to pay for your education, and
- Proofs that you're not planning to immigrate to the United States. It is impossible to specify the exact form the evidence that you should take because applicants' circumstances vary greatly. These documents may include but not limited to papers showing your family have their own business that you'll come back and manage/work for, some sponsorship that requires you to go back.
The questions asked in general are which university you'll be attending, your major, your sponsor, may be about your family and their jobs etc. Keep in mind that you're applying for a temporary, non-immigrant visa, and if the officer has any reason to believe that you intend to stay in the country permanently (i.e., that you're being dishonest in your application), you won't get a student visa. You therefore must prove that you have binding ties to your home country that you have no intention of abandoning, and that you will leave the United States when you've completed your studies. So at some point, it all depends on the officer to grant or deny your visa application.
- U.S. Port of Entry
Applicants should be aware that a visa does not guarantee entry into the United States. The INS has authority to deny admission. Also, the INS, not the consular officer, determines the period for which the bearer of a student visa is authorized to remain in the United States. At the port of entry, an INS official validates Form I-94, Record of Arrival-Departure, which notes the length of stay permitted.
- Employment
An F-1 student may not accept off-campus employment at any time during the first year of study; however, the INS may grant permission to accept off-campus employment after one year. F-1 students may accept on-campus employment from the school without INS permission.
- Family Members
A spouse and unmarried, minor children may also be classified for a nonimmigrant visa to accompany or follow the student. Family members must meet all visa eligibility requirements, including evidence that they will have sufficient funds for their support, and that they will depart the U.S. when the student's program ends. Spouses and children of students may not accept employment at any time.
Foreign students favor the F-1 visa category because as long as the student is enrolled in a qualified academic program the student remains in lawful status. This may include periods of practical training and a 60-day grace period during which the student must depart the United States or obtain relevant visa.
For more information visit U.S. Department of State, The Bureau of Consular Affairs.
- Travel arrangements
This is the first experience to your new life. Take your time to plan it. Check airfares because it'll be you biggest expense at the beginning. The airfares differ from your country to US and vice versa but it'll be a good reference to check fares with either airline web pages (e.g. Delta Airlines, American Airlines, Lufthansa, Air France, etc.) or some well known travel portals like Expedia, Travelocity. If you do not like long flights, make transfers in Europe rather than flying directly to major US airport for over 10 hours. Try to find a friend who'll be coming to the same college or even same state so you'll be helping each other. Try to find a person to meet you at the US airport. Some colleges provide such services but if they don't, try to contact student group in your destination college from your own country. Since they had similar experience, probably one will be happy to meet you at the airport and fill you in with all kinds of "survival" information.
- Culture shock
This term expresses the lack of direction, the feeling of not knowing what to do or how to do things in a new environment, and not knowing what is appropriate or inappropriate. The feeling of culture shock generally sets in after the first few weeks of coming to a new place.
We can describe culture shock as the physical and emotional discomfort one suffers when coming to live in another country or a place different from the place of origin. Often, the way that we lived before is not accepted as or considered as normal in the new place. Everything is different, for example, not speaking the language, not knowing how to use banking machines, not knowing how to use the telephone and so forth.
More by Dr. Carmen Guanipa...
- What to bring?
Although this issue is considered all the way at the end of all procedures, it is important to spare some extra time to get organized. You may never prepare all the things that you may need in your "new life". However you have a limit to take two luggages not exceeding 70 pounds (approximately 45 kilograms). So you need to be very careful and selective. Edulix Team advises the following list of items to be considered:
- Clothes/Shoes: Give priority to seasonal clothes that you may need soon after your arrival. Check the weather conditions, season at the place you are going (you may use Yahoo, Netscape, AltaVista or similar web sites' weather pages). There are all kinds of clothing with very wide price range in the US so do NOT over pack your luggage.
- Books: Don't take so many. In fact don't take any unless you believe it's a valuable resource that you are used to use. Plus they are HEAVY! You do not want to waste that limited weight with books that probably you don't need. You can find all kinds of books and other resources at the university's library.
- Documents: Do NOT forget to take all your documents related with your college, acceptance, visa, etc. Place these in you carry on luggage not suitcase. You may need them at the customs.
- Misc.: Of course your razor, shaving cream, electric shaver, hygienic materials, towels, toothpaste and toothbrush, soap, if you are using contacts, do not forget your solutions, if you are wearing eyeglasses, bring one extra (it is expensive in US)... But don't take for months' supply, just take small amount that will take care of your needs may be couple weeks until you get used to life in the US.
- Room and Boarding
You may start advertising or look for networking. Edulix is a good place to start. Many universities have web pages for room and boarding advertisements in their neighborhood. You may also want check local newspaper classifieds sections.
- Miscellaneous
- Carry some cash on you when you arrive in the US.
- As soon as you can, buy medical insurance if you have not done so yet.
- Upon arrival, work on money transfer and opening bank accounts.
Back to Application Assist...
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