Getting F1 Visa is Directly Proportional to Your Passion and Hard Work
Following F1 Visa interview experience was shared by Sharad. He will be receiving $5 Gift Card from Amazon.
SO HERE IS MY VISA INTERVIEW.
- DATE: 11/5/2012
- CONSULATE: NEW DELHI
- TIME: 10:30 A.M
- UNIVERSITY: San Diego State University, California.
MY BRIEF PROFILE:
- GRE 1130/1600
- TOEFL 100/120
- B.Tech 63 percent(Kurukshetra university).
Loopholes in my Profile:
- I should have completed my B.tech in 2010 but unfortunately had a health problem so was not able to appear in 7th semester exams and thus due to this i completed B.tech after attending 7th semester again and cleared degree in 2011. ” SINCE THEN I AM NOT WORKING“
- My sister lives in US and is a legal permanent resident(green card holder). She did not studied in US and her Husband is also there(He also studied in India). “I DID MENTIONED ABOUT HER IN MY DS 160“
SO THESE WERE TWO MAJOR PROBLEMS IN MY PROFILE ACCORDING TO ME AND WAS EXPECTING THAT THINGS MAY GO WRONG DUE TO THIS.
F1 Visa Interview Experience – Approved in Dhaka – (you spoiled child)
US Embassy in New Delhi
I Reached New Delhi Consulate At 9 A.m(Which was a mistake and i Do not Recommend reaching so early). Because at that time they were calling Applicants for 9:15 A.M Slot. So i had to wait in Scorching Heat till 10:15 A.M and was almost drenched in sweat.
ATTIRE:
I heard a lot about what to wear and one should go in formals and all those things. “I was wearing a black jeans, casual t-shirt and sports shoes”.
Suddenly i Realized that students and other applicants are staring me that he is in casuals as all of them were in formals and shining leather shoes.
“I did not feel awkward, in fact i was confident throughout and was humming my favorite track from houseful 2(wanna love me :p)”
Time :10:15 and i just was waiting for this time.
I was very excited and went for initial document checks and was the first person in the line for that slot(10:30).
Well then went inside, security check, documents and file passed through X-RAY Machine.
Went to a Counter, my Passport, I 20, DS 160 Confirmation page, and SEVIS fee Receipt were taken and stapled to my passport.
Then got a Token Number Attached to the same documents. it Read “P199”. Waited in a not so good waiting hall. No A.c, Only LCD Screens and chairs.
Then went to main Hall where interview was taking place.
Here Was a bit of Shock for me. My token number was flashed and i was asked to proceed to counter number 4. Rest What followed Can be considered as my UNAWARENESS or change in RULES!!
I was not aware of the fact that there is a short interview taken before actual interview where they confirm your identity and stuff. SO i took it as my VISA INTERVIEW.
An Indian Girl in her mid 20’s was sitting and taking interviews.She gave passport back to Uncle standing ahead of me. I assumed he has been rejected.
LVO : Lady Visa Interview.
MY FIRST VISA INTERVIEW :p (I call it first interview)
ME:Good morning mam 🙂 How are you 🙂 (HAD A GOOD SMILE, IT HELPS)
LVO: I am Fine, Please step forward (I did and passed my passport)
LVO: Why you going to US?
ME: To pursue my Higher Education, I.e MS in Electrical Engineering.LVO:So what have you been doing in this time? (My Heart Sank! First major question and she asked nothing else, But My weakest point)
ME: Mam, I had been doing Courses in computer hardware and networking which helped me learn practical aspects of networking and implement what i learned in my College. I learned to configure different devices in a network…(She did not stopped me and continued to stare in my eyes, this meant i have to continue)…I also learned about various Routing Protocols and techniques to troubleshoot network problems. I Also Appeared for my CCNA exam in December 2011 Along with my GRE and TOEFL.
(She Started Typing)LVO: Any Relative in US? (Second question and it is again my second weak point{I dnt consider it weak point now} )
ME: Yes, my sister lives in US.LVO: What is she doing there?
ME: Senior development Engineer at AT&T.LVO: Is she married?
ME: yes.LVO: TAKE YOUR PASSPORT AND GO TO THE NEXT LOBBY OR HALL, I DO NOT REMEMBER WHAT SHE SAID. I WAS SAD THINKING I HAVE BEEN REJECTED AS MY PASSPORT IS RETURNED(BUT THERE WAS NO REASON OR DOCUMENT RELATED TO REJECTION).
NEXT LOBBY
Was asked to give finger prints and that Chinese American lady told me to wait and i will be called for my VI.. I was like what was that then?
I was interviewed earlier and again? whats going on?
Confused and out of senses, i was sitting and waiting for my token. Tokens started to appear and they were very fast.”I said to myself sharad, just go and answer what he wants to know, Suddenly there was an urge and a flow of positive Energy, i felt my Visa has been approved and i have to just meet someone. ”
P199, proceed to counter 15.
- F1 Visa Approved after 221(g) – Virginia Tech
3 people were standing before me ” AND I WAS SMILING”. There was no stress in my mind and i was looking at VO when he was interviewing others as well. I was relaxed at that time.
MY TURN! MY SECOND VI! (I CALL IT :p)
ME: Good afternoon Sir, How are you 🙂 (With a big smile on my face)
VO: (Smiled and reciprocated) hello, I am fine 🙂 pass me your Docs.VO: You going for studies?
ME: Yes Sir, For MS in Electrical Engineering.VO: Which School?
Me: San Diego State university.VO: Why SDSU?
Me: Sir i want to specialize in Wireless communications and networking and SDSU has a very good curriculum which will help me gain Expertise in the field in Which i did my Bachelors. (He also wanted to hear more)
Sir, SDSU has very good research opportunities in the field of mobile computing and wireless sensor networks. i found it rather interesting and related to my Bachelors coursework where i had subjects like Wireless mobile communications.VO: Typing for a while…how many schools u applied to?
me: seven.VO: Name them.
Me: IIT Chicago, George Mason University, San Jose State Univ, Univ Of Texas Arlington, Univ Of North Carolina, Charlotte(His Eyebrow Lifted There), California State Univ, Long Beach And San Diego State Univ.VO: admits?
ME: 4VO: Name
Me: IIT Chicago, San Diego State Univ, George mason univ, UNCCVO: Ok, Sharad..tell me why not IIT Chicago.?
Me: Sir, IIT Chicago is a good school but it was not a good choice compared to SDSU as i have more Research options and good coursework For my specialization at SDSU.VO: Ok, And why not GMU?
Me: Sir, I got admit in MS in Telecommunication and its only course based and there is no research or thesis involved in That course. I am interested in Research so Did not choose GMU.VO: (A little Weird Expression and loud..) U choose SDSU over UNCC? Uncc is a good school..
ME: By this i was sure he is checking my patience and Confidence, If i am sure about my aim. UNCC is a renowned school for Embedded Systems But SDSU has a “” DEDICATED Research group for wireless and communications research called: WIRELESS NETWORK RESEARCH GROUP where a lot of research is being conducted in the domain of mobile computing. So SDSU was a good choice.I Knew I Had Hit Bulls Eye. And I Had Kept This Point For Such A Crucial Point, To Convince Him About My Plans.He started to smile and started working on his computer. Suddenly his eyes were Wide open.(I was thinking what you want now :P)
VO: Your sister is in US?
ME: Completely confident and not showing any sign of nervousness, YES SIR!VO: I think you are a potential immigrant and you want to settle there after studies. (i just wanted to kill him, why are you screwing me so much man?)
ME: Again with confidence and with a face expression that m least bothered with his remark,
Sir, My sister lives in US but i am not going to US Due to this Reason, I am going for my higher education and i am very much focused about my specialization, i.e Wireless communications and networking.VO: Realy? Do you have background with that specialization?
Me: Again holding my nerve, Yes sir I did My B.tech in Electronics and Communications and i had subjects like computer networks, digital communication and wireless mobile communications which are related to my masters study. Also i presented various seminars on upcoming technologies like ZIGBEE and my major project was ‘Bluetooth based Smart Home’ which is also related to my Specialization i have opted for.Phew. I was tired by then.
I think he was also tired and convinced :P.
VO: Who is sponsoring you?
ME: My Father is sponsoring me.VO: His Occupation?
ME: He is a Chief Manager in a Public Sector bank.Again typing and after few seconds.
OK Sharad, I am happy to Approve Your Visa. Have a good stay in US. Study Well. Good Luck 🙂
I learned the meaning of the phrase: ‘I WAS SMILING INSIDE’ at that time! I was so emotional when he was saying all that. I thanked him and just went out. I sat for a while and realized that I have something to Cheer After two years.
My Conclusion About US education application and chances of getting Admits and Visa.
It’s directly proportional to your passion for higher education in us and hard work.
I can say with confidence now that whenever i thought about going to US, it was for my Higher Studies.
So I was confident and never Assumed myself as potential immigrant. That is why even after being asked so much about my sister and her living in US, I got My Visa.
I Hope it Helps other Students.
P.S: I a late in posting because i was improving My post and did not Wanted to Commit obvious Errors like improper English and Other things! 😛 I hope i have succeeded in minimizing errors. 🙂
Hey dude i got an admit from sdsu for MS in wireless communication..Your interview is simply amazing.. I get to know some good reasons for the Question Y SDSU.. thanks… Also I have got another thing to ask u … I have score of 154 in Quants and 138 in verbal.. its quit low score and if they ask me why Y low score wat to do?? I ma a 2009 passed out student and currently working at CSC. Pelase let me know the answers for my questions… Hope i ll meet u soon at SDSU 🙂
i am applying for undergraduate program at mississippi university fdor women .and my scholarship is of 9668 and if v.O ask me why Physics than what i am supposed to answer?plzz help me asap..
i have a BA degree in Linguistics and communication studies and am going for another bachelors degree in communication studies in Northern Arizona University for fall. Please i need your advice. I dont have SAT or TOEFL
congratulations to the guy whos gng to us for studies..
yash- go for another trial, definitely u l succeed, B+
Well Sharad congrats for the Visa.
I am reallly sorry to say that but If i had taken your visa interview you wouldnot have got your visa. You gave so dumb answers . Why the hell you applied for UNCC (didnt u know at the time of application that it is a good school for embedded system) or you just came to know it after getting admits. You were greately interested in wireless comm research but u still applied for GMUs theoretical Telecom program? Whom are u fooling dude?
By the way well prepared interview
Thanks a lot for your comments 🙂
M glad you were not the one who was taking my interview. 😛
If you will go for your VI, You will come to know that they do not want An EXACT OR PERFECT Answer for there Questions. There is no RIGHT or WRONG answer in a VI as far as my mind goes. It all goes down on your confidence. Seriously i do not consider them as Dumb answers. If you consider that, you are considering the VO as a dumb who gave me VI. he checked my patience and my Intent and i Proved that. Its That Simple. 🙂
Thanks for your comments and i did not intended to fool anyone.
haha 🙂
anyways best of luck for ur masters. I chkd ur VI in fall worm too.
really your interview was nerve shooting.
congrats sharad and thanks for ur post. Even my brother is staying in US who went 4 his masters and is staying for since last 5 years. I am planning to have my visa interview in june 2nd week . What should i say if he asks about my brother? should i say the truth? In case if I lie that my brother is not currently in US, will he get to know about it? Is there any problem? plz suggest me……
They Can Catch your Lie Easily. its recommended to say the Truth.
hi .
guys.. i have a doubt. i had completed my M.Sc Pharmaceutical Chemistry in 2010, from VIT University , Presently i am planning to pursue my doctoral degree in US. Nw i got admit in 2 universities till now.. NJIT (new jersy institute of technology), University of puerto rico fot this fall. If the VO asks me wht i was doing mean while. wht should i answer.. actually i was doing nothing , soon after i passed out, due to passport problem i could give my gre n toefl exams. i got my passport in march 2011. latter only i gave my gre, toefl n ielts exams n applied to universities… will the VO’s will be convience if i say the same in the interview. plz provide me the suggestion on the same. i am much tensed only regarding this.. plz guysss
Yash:
I Just want to say few things.
First of all, if you don’t have passion for what you do, you won’t enjoy that and probability is that u won’t succeed. M not talking personally about you but just answering to the point you made that every moron gets a Visa.
Secondly, Admission to US universities is erratic sonetimes, but this post was regarding Visa and in Visa you need to have confidence and confidence comes when you have genuine reasons for going to study.
Your attitude seems to a be a little negative, and I would advice to do some analysis of your strengths and weaknesses. It will help you in long run.
Lastly, IT’S ALL ABOU YOUR ATTITUDE DUDE. Learn to appreciate anything that is good and helpful. I will be happy if my post helps others. 🙂
Dude,
Sorry I chose your post to comment.
I did not even read your post before commenting.. You had a great interview and All the best for your MS..
I was frustated reading posts in HSB about how you guys are making it to Universities with Flying colours.. I sometimes get jealous . All this is because,
I am equally passionate and I could not figure out why I failed to get an admission.. I am sorry for blaming all those blokes who got hurt by my comments.. Everyone is unique in their talent.. Thanks for all your supportive comments..
No Problems .
All The Best for your Future Plans and hopefully you will analyse your profile and get to know where you went wrong. All the best again .
🙂
u r really eligible for this dude congrats and happy stay in US.
Congratulations Sharad.
Done well.
Best of luck for your future.
Great !! I like your attitude. All the best !!
Sharad can u please tell me that if one gets backlog in his last sem of last year 2012 ,and he has admit form a university for spring 2013,then as he can appear for his back log paper in november 2012 and he has to leave for the university in december 2012 ,can the student attend the college in spring 2013 ? . The problem is that the results would be out till feb 2013 end so is it possible to attend university in spring 2013 ?
hey dude all the best for your further studies and what a plus this interview acts who are thinking of duping the VO about their contacts in the US ………well i like ur positive attitude……so i ask you my curious question : i and my wife are both planning to do our post grad in SJSU….the great barrier is the disclosure of our marriage….she is not coming as a dependent ………so how do you think should i answer my potential immigrant question ……..well I get a lot of answers in my mind ….but would like a response from a confident guy like u………….
First – schedule group interview so you both can attend interview at same time.
Hello all,
I wanted ask you one thing, I have a small error in my mother’s name in my passport, it is written in my passport as “Bharmila” whereas it is actually “Sharmila”. I am confused about which name to write in the DS 160 form, the correct one or the wrong one. Can anyone please suggest here about what should I do, I can’t go for a passport renewal as it will be in the normal process not the tatkaal one and it will take a lot of time. Please help me out with this, I am really confused!
Write the correct name.
U lost my attention at the mention of your favorite song.
Superb VI!! Thanks for sharing your experience.
first of all getting admission for higher education is flawed.. Getting a visa might have some dependency on your commitment towards studies but, it also depends on how you manage the VO.
Coming to the latter comment i made, I did my undergrad in BITS Pilani with a decent yet not so high CGPA. I work in ST Microelectronics . I applied for MS Comp Eng in some univs. I had utmost respect on them till they rejected my application and offered admission to guys from not so reputed engineering colleges with a high percentage in their undergrads.. Everyone knows how they score good marks.. Those guys could not get secure a good job in India.. They work in IT companies like infosys and tcs..
But, these blind univs just consider their ”percentage.” What a disaster ?? I see many of my friends who scored more than 90% in B,E getting admission in Stanford, CMU, UCSD etc..
I could not understand the procedure followed by any university in giving admission.
I got a feeling that these guys who are in the selection panel are so stupid.. This selection system is FLAWED..
No one gets their visa denied unless they were so bad in their acads .. And Here you are with a big essay on how PASSION plays a role in getting visa.. ?? Grow up… EVERY moron gets a visa if he had a decent score in all exams…
LOL
I can understand that you are frustrated, sometimes universities are erratic, and you might have been a victim!! but none of those are a good reason to abuse/belittle the one who posted this interview. Its very hard to get an F1 visa for SDSU, aside from that fact Sharad had many major flaws in his application which he has clearly pointed out in his post!! but the point is how he prepared himself to cover those flaws and turned it to his advantage, you can consider this post as a guidance to other visa applicants in a similar situation.
Dear Yash.
Dont be a stupid to post this kind of comments in website like this.I am following this blog from last 1 year.This site is very much helpful for motivating the students.So pls try to change your attitude towards the guys who are trying to help others.(dont ever post such stupid comments.)
Also I know a student whose Visa appln has been rejected even after very good scores.(7.8 GPA frm IITM(I think its better than Bits pilani). GRE 319 Toefl 108.
So try to understand things b4 giving any comment on it.
What you have said is nothing new.
If you had the admit and visa you will posting nothing but all the praise on how for admit and visa.
Infact ones real character is visible how you hold and respond when faced with adversity and your response shows you got long ways to learn.
+ you being from BITS doesn’t mean you SHOULD be given admit in all the schools you apply. Everyone, even with low or high acids and from lower class school is unique.
I am not so lame.. I would really appreciate if the admission has been given to a guy who deserves it more than me.. But on the contrary, I have seen people who could not secure any job in India, who could not live up to the competition in India are given admits in USA..
Im not saying everyone who got admission is a worthless candidate. But, I lament about the few undeserving candidates who got admission just because they mugged their textbooks and scored marks in their undergrad.. Getting a Admission in MS is no real measure of the creativity of a person..
I recently read about hiring process for professors in MIT.
Professor who wrote that is from MIT. He interviewed in Stanford but they didn’t hire him but MIT did.
Why do you think someone who don’t deserve a job in Stanford was able to find a job in MIT?
So according to u getting job is a sign of TALENT. What a joke!!! Cmon boy! These are small impediments and you should not be this distraught. GEAR UP FOR THE FULL CUP OF LIFE, YOU JUST GOT A SIP OF IT.
What do you mean?? How do they score marks? I am from a “NOT SO FAMOUS COLLEGE” but trust me I dont know how to score marks other than by sheer hard work!! My CGPA till 7th sem is 8.687. Think before you speak!!!
which college you are from ?
I am talking about colleges in AP where students score marks by mugging the textbooks and boot licking the teachers who correct their answer sheets.
The standard of a question paper depends on the average IQ level of the students in that collge.
Hi Yash,
Could you please tell me the list of universities you have applied.
Rather than being a pessimist, I would advice you to give a second trial.
Please do not degrade your hope. Think positive.
Forget about others. Even I know people with vacuum brain admitted into reputed universities. So, focus only on yourself. Just dont find any time thinking about others.
🙂
Granted you got into BITS which is one of the better schools in the country. But, for graduate studies what you do in undergrad holds a lot of importance, low GPA hurts your chances. Also, if you couldn’t judge your profile and aimed at schools which were ambitious for you, seeing how all your other BITS Pilani friends were applying to only high ranking schools (being from BITS, Pilani), then it’s your fault to have misjudged your position not that admission process in US universities is flawed. Apart from academics there are SOP, LOR and research experience which hold significance. So, this is an ADMISSION PROCESS which includes much more than just your undergrad university or your GPA unlike Indian schools where entrance test is the sole criteria.
So, quit being a stubborn, arrogant, snobbish douche and suck up that you just weren’t good enough for your targeted universities. You are no one to demean or belittle guys who come from nondescript universities. It just shows how bitterly disgusted you are at yourself for not making it to your dream university while your other more qualified friends did. Don’t brood, SUCK IT UP and learn a lesson from it.
FYI: ST Microelectronics isn’t that great a company. It offered jobs to 12 guys in our college but only 5 joined.. just saying..
Dont be so hard on him!! Yash better luck next time, if you are applying again!!! if you havent done it already, join edulix!!!
I rest my Case… This is not going anywhere..
I know what to do now..
Peace.. I know that there are some meritorious candidates in local engineering colleges.
But, i am sure you are not that guy..
Cheers
I am not that guy? Do you even know my college or my profile?
I read your comment above and would like to believe you understood what guys here are getting at. Hope we learn and improve.
Sorry for assuming certain things in the above post but that was because I found your post very distasteful.
You’re taking this “number” game way too seriously. You were not rejected because of your poor grades, but guess they got hint of your attitude towards things? Yes, grades matter a lot, and I know their importance, being in situations where just these numbers have cost me dearly. However BITS Pilani is reputed enough and I know of a few people who got into reputed universities (i.e. CMU, Cornell, GaTech, Columbia among others), with an average or lower than average GPA. Scoring 90% in any university in any state of India ain’t easy. If you think getting 80% is very easy, you’re seriously mistaken. Besides, US universities consider your university name as well as the grades in general they give.
Scoring just 70% in Mumbai/Pune University is lot tougher than scoring 80% in VTU. Compete, and improve but whining and trying to degrade others by illogical statements is not going to do any good for you.
Thnx Sharad.