F1 Student Visa Interview – “Why This University”

Number of  students visiting Happy Schools Blog in recent days who are appearing for US Visa Interview (Student F1 Visa) for Fall 2009 semester is increasing.   There are over 50 articles that are specific to US F1 Student Visa interview and Bank Statements for Visa Interview.

Most of you preparing for F1 Visa interview will have some amount of tension. Some amount of tension is good, but too much tension will affect your performance during Visa Interview at US Consulate. There was an interesting comment from Akshay

Akshay @ F1 Student Visa Interview Tips

hi friends,
This is akshay n my visa date is 29th july. I’ve got i20 from Fairleigh Dickinson University only. I’ve applied for MS in Biology. So what should i do if VO asks me why only this university? Pls reply quick i m really tensed…

Note – While writing a letter or question introduction should be like Hi Friends, not hi friends. If you happen to write an email to Professor or during job search to HR, they are not going to consider replying to you. Hope you take this suggestion in nice tone.

VO – “Why this University”

It not just you, every student in your situation will have to to find answers to this question. But I know exactly why it is so hard to answer that question.

You didn’t do much research while selecting the university. Mostly a consultant could have picked up Farleigh Dickinson University along with few other universities. If you have applied to US Universities for Grad School admission by yourself, then your friend could have had admission from FDU for similar score. So, you applied and got admission.

Now you are finding it tough to answer the question “Why you selected Farleigh Dickinson University”.  If you have done your proper research about the University before applying for grad school, it will be much easier to answer this question. By now, you will know the name of the few Professors, their research areas, student contacts and should have exchanged few email with Professors with University.

Without all the above, its hard to give the true answer to the question during US student visa interview. [ Sample US Student Visa Interview Questions ]

Visa Interview Question and Answers

You can answer this question in multiple ways, but any answer you provide will not be true answer right? Because you are going to come up with made  up answer.

But, if you lie during US Visa interview, they can find out from the way you answer the question. So, never try to make up an answer while attending US Visa interview. If you were caught lying, your entry to US can be banned for lifetime.

Since you don’t have much time, try to find more information about FDU from their website and try to answer the question. If you have other admits, try to compare both the schools and say FDU is better than other admission. In this way you will not give false answers.

I’m Really Tensed for US Visa Interview

There has to be certain level of tension, else there will be overconfidence. So, some amount of tension is good.

• Prepare to face all possible scenarios
• Answer with smile
• Be confident and look confident.
• Read the visa experiences posted by other students. If you read 5 to 10 Student Visa interview experiences, you can see a pattern of what kind of questions VO asks and why do that ask.  So, understand the pattern and expect to face the questions.
• Remember – Always smile and answer the questions with confidence.
• If you don’t understand their question, ask them to repeat it again.

Image Credit – Stephen Poff

Large Bank Deposits Before F1 Student Visa Interview?

I saw comments asking me to write about documents required for student visa stamping. I guess many are getting ready for Spring 2009 visa stamping. I have written few articles about student visa stamping and documents required for student visa. I came across couple of questions that were interesting. Read more

Bank Balance of $37,100 Without Student Loan?

Universities require bank statement to send I-20. Some Universities accept bank statement when sent along other Graduate School Admission documents. Some schools like North Carolina State University, students are required to send bank statement only after they receive college acceptance letter. Read more

Bank Statement For Graduate School Admissions in U.S.

Last couple of days, there been lots of comments requesting to select universities, H1B Visa status and admission related questions. Since some comments require lengthy response. I’m posting the answer as an article in response to the comment from Indu for the Bank Statement for F-1 Student Visa,

I am applying for fall 2009, for Graduate program (PhD) in Biological Sciences.
I would like to know about the Bank Statements as i need to show loans as my source of Finance.
As Banks say they cant give a statement till the University confirms the admission,how can i send my Application to the University without the Bank Statements,as it is one of the requirement of the Application Kit that needs to be sent.
Please advise me for both UK and US Universities.

Please also tell me what other Financial statement can be presented.
1.Does property papers can be shown.
2.Can my Brother who is in US,show his savings as Financial statement for my studies

Thanks and Regards

Indu

Bank Balance Statement – Funding Source

Bank statement and Bank loan are different. Bank statement [sample bank statement] will show current bank balance, name of the account holder, when bank account was opened and other such details.

Bank is right, they don’t give bank loan before Universities issues I-20. But, universities in U.S. will ask International students to send financial affidavit form along with bank statement.

Usually, amount of bank balance universities expect will be displayed in admission requirements page or within the financial affidavit form. If that information is not displayed, the rough estimate is the total expenses for 1 year, that includes tuition fees and living expenses.

For instance, University of Texas at Dallas requires $25,000 for first year, then bank balance should be more than $25,000. Only then I-20 [sample I-20] will be issued to the student.

Property papers as proof for University admission

Nope, I don’t think so, you will need to show cash. From the sample bank statements in above links, you will see USD equivalent of Indian Rupees. Property can be used for immovable property during student visa interview.

Brother sponsoring education

Yes, brother and relatives can be sponsors.He has to fill financial affidavit form that university provides or send bank statement saying he’s your brother. When I-20 is issued, his name will be listed as the sponsor.  When appearing for visa, your brother has to send one more bank statement and affidavit form. You can read more information about borrowing money from relatives for student visa.

Can I say my brother lives in U.S.?

I have seen few students who try not to disclose relatives who live in U.S. because it might lower the chances to get visa. If you are not disclosing the information, you are lying in the visa application, it doesn’t take long for U.S. consulate to find out that you haven’t disclosed the right information. For siblings, same last name, address will same on the passport.

Do, you want to take that risk of lying in Visa application. I wouldn’t and I didn’t. When my brother applied for student F1 visa, we didn’t even think about hiding any facts. If they find it, then that person cannot enter U.S. for lifetime.

How to get bank statement

Usually, students when applying for Graduate School admission in U.S. Universities they will collect money from relatives, friends and deposit in bank account for 1 or 2 days, then get bank statement from the manager, and re-distribute the money back.

Hope the suggestions and answers will help you with your questions. Good luck, let me know if you have any further questions.