F1 Student Visa Interview – “Why This University”
By HSB
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
Related posts:
- F1 Student Visa Interview Questions
- Large Bank Deposits Before F1 Student Visa Interview?
- F-1 Student Visa Interview Tips
- F-1 Student Visa Tips For Fall 2009 Students
- What to Expect During H1B Visa Interview
From my personal experience and that of friends who’ve applied for MS in Biotechnology or related courses, I would suggest that you do not mention anything about your research experience(s) and not show any inclination towards pursuimg research in the US when you answer the VO’s questions. As soon as the VO hears the word ‘research’ alarm bells ring in his ears. In my case he wanted to see my resume and acceptance letter from the university as soon as he heard me say biotechnology. A friend of mine going for the same course was put on some kind of waitlist for the visa. So guys keep mum on the research bit, be confident and relaxed.
@PNM:
I agree with you. The VO doesn’t have any technical idea about the “research” that we would mention. Just on the basis of a few terminologies and our expressions, he/she decides whether or not to send one for the additional check that results in the delay.
I have posted detailed comment regarding the same in http://www.happyschoolsblog.com/f1-student-visa-delayed-security-chec/comment-page-1/#comment-16407
Warm Regards,
Tanushree
@Sazal : Thanks a lot for your response. I feel much. Just hope that my visa arrives in time. Thanks once again!!
@Tanushree:
Usually students who had their visa approved but delayed for some reasons, get their visa BEFORE the class start time(according to I-20). So you dont need to be much worried. Hopefully you shall get visa before your class start date.
Best of luck.
Hey!!
I was asked the same question on 15th of July and I had gone all prepared for my interview. My true reason for having chosen University of Houston was that my sister was there but since I was asked by one and all not to mention that as my reason, at that point, I did hesitate a little. I told her that it was because of their research facilities and some of the professors have the same research interests as mine.
Now, this lead to the 2nd question which was “what are your research interests?” and that was another thing that I was uncertain of answering as I had moved from Metallurgical Engineering to Software Engineering during my professional life and then I wished to get back to Materials Engineering. I faltered with the answer but did mention a few areas as my interests.
At this point I noticed her writing my name on some green-form. Along with that she started asking me other straightforward questions as “Who will be funding?”, “What does your father/sister do?”, “Where does your father/sister work?”, “How long has your father been with the company?”. I was confident about these answers but the green-form was already on its way.
At the end of the interview she asked me to wait saying that some more information would be required for the processing of my visa. I thanked her and waited till my name was called from the first counter that had verified my visa forms earlier. Here, I was told that my ‘visa was APPROVED but was DELAYED’ and it can take a MAXIMUM period of 2 months for its processing. They needed details regarding my research/work experience, my areas of interests, my past projects and publication details, plan of research I wish to pursue in US.
I submitted the documents over email on that every evening. I have my classes beginning on 24th of August and if I do not get my visa by 21st of August, I would have to get my admission deferred. I have no clue as to how to expedite the process(as there is no option for that). Only thing that I can do is to check my visa’s status online. I had inquired at the visa collection center the following day and one of them informed me that it can take a week or 15 days but the exact time cannot be said. When I mentioned about the maximum period of 2 months that was told to me, he said that generally for student’s visa it happens faster. Things are so very uncertain right now for me and I feel more and more anxious everyday.
I just wished to share this experience with Happy Schools Blog so, that other students can learn from it and avoid making the same mistake. If any of you have had a similar situation, kindly tell me how long had the visa processing taken in your case.
Kind Regards,
Tanushree
Hi all,
I remembered my situation when I applied for F1 Visa last week.The VO should make sure that you are applying for a certain University for something you need.So, you should act like one has constantly have chosen this University for a purpose .Therefore,I urge you to answer with confident and eye to eye contact because most of lairs emotionally/unintentionally will make a certain move or eye glance that would send a lie message to the VO and you will be denied right away.
I understand these fairs and I answered these questions accordingly with straight and honest answers.If you are serious student that would give you a bonus and don’t worry you will give the right answers with a convincing point of view.
Good look