Shared by a reader who would like to remain anonymous about Most Bizarre and Nerve-Racking First Semester in USA.
I would start off by saying that I’m a meticulous person, I plan and organize and do my homework and think a 100 times before committing to anything.
Planning for MS in USA
I had Started my planning,preparation and processing for MS in September 2010 (after reading through every single post on HSB ).
Ii wrote my GRE and TOEFL, started applying in November and got an admit to UXX (please keep my university name anonymous) on December 14th 2010 (according to my Facebook time-line no less) and it was exactly like everyone describes (hard, challenging etc.,).
I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in May 2011 from one of the many engineering colleges in Hyderabad (also my hometown, I’m a very proud Hyderabadi) and arrived in the United States on August 15th 2011 (Independence day day for both India and me).
Enrolled for classes, attended orientation, paid my tuition.
Graduate Research Assistant position
On December 14th 2011 i interviewed for a Graduate Research Assistant position on-campus and I got the job.
I had never worked before (not even an internship) it was extremely challenging.
I learned and re-learned and learned even more.
SSN and Problem Starts
I went to the social security office to apply for my SSN and that was where things got weird. I was issued a denial letter from the social security administration explaining to me that i do not qualify for a social security number as they were unable to verify my status on the DHS (Department of Homeland Security ) database.
I took the letter and went back to the office of international education and asked for an explanation.
To date I don’t know exactly why it happened but my SEVIS was terminated (even-though I was enrolled full-time).
I had never seen any reference to any such thing before in my life.
The DSO put in an re-instatement request but nobody had any clue when things will get corrected.
I panicked.
I freaked out majorly because of my ignorance about the importance of SEVIS or about what it meant in relation to my F1 visa “status”.
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About Raghuram Sukumar
When I was same as you as foreign student many years ago, my school advisor told me he overlooked at my school credits and i still need 20+ semester credits in order to graduate right before my graduation. Wrote to the Dean, Advisor admit his fault, and the 20+ was waived. What a freak out experience!!
How about finding a good girl in the US? So she is there to consolidate when you are down. How does that sound?
I somehow feel that this post belongs to a girl, Trollol
Did you read the title?
Hey Man! That was close!!! Qudos to u for emerging out unscathed through the difficulties. One thing that everyone should keep in mind while dealing with things in US (or any other country) is that u are in a foreign country and things dont always act as perceived. But the plus point for US is that, people and officials here are generally cooperative, understanding, and act fast..hence that are supposed to get resolved, get resolved very fast.
Nice experience dude…
all the newbies, do not forget to relax and rethink your strategy, be very aware of how INS works, attend the workshops International center arranges all the time to be aware of the rules and regulations.
Do not work Illegally, couple of people from my uni got deported and they are not ever coming back to the US, Unless your are getting paid in millions, don’t bother, Try to find a job on campus, they are out there, you have to go and inquire about them, dont be shy about it.
and try to mingle with people with other cultures if your plan to work in the US, which many of you want because US workforce is very diverse. Make friends, talk to people, and party often, it helps relax your mind.
Cheers!!
You just mentioned Dallas and thus the a small set of unis you might be attending.
Awesome post..! Keep up dude..!!!
Proud to be a Hyderabadi …:)
Awesome.. ..thanks for sharing.
Great Post!