There are various types of visas that cover the immigrant and non-immigrant types for visiting the USA. From all of those types, the non-immigrant type F1 student visa is the most talked about. F1 visa is necessary for those who wish to study in the USA. After attaining this visa, one can study at institution or school that is officially listed and accredited by the USA government. The important thing to remember is that F1 visas are granted for full-time studies and not work purposes.
Applying for F1 student visa is pretty simple process if carried out after proper understanding. The stage of the visa interview is the one where most of the candidates get nervous. Usually, most people ruin their chances of clearing the interview because of the unnecessary stress and anxiety. Candidates usually have the perspective that the USA consulates are in no mood to let you pass the interview so you will definitely fail. The scenario is not such. They want to send good and reliable students who can study well and be something worthy.
One of the ways to deal with it to know the most common questions that are asked in the interview and be prepared for it.
Few of the most common questions asked F1 student visa interview are:
Which college are you going to?
How many colleges you applied to?
How many admits did you get?
Why did you select that particular college/state to study?
Why the USA?
GRE/TOFEL/GPA scores
Answer the above question with some unique answers. Avoid going for the repetitive answers like the infrastructure, facilities or something about the abroad experience. Being unique and honest will be a good start.
Few other common questions that can interest the interviewer are
What course did you select?
Why did you select this particular course?
What are your plans after the degree completion?
When the interviewer asks you about the finance, always speak the truth. Give the information about the sponsor and the finance details very honestly and correctly. Avoid fumbling in this. Be ready for certain questions about your father’s salary, his designation, workplace etc. The interviewer might also ask for the bank statement. Give it without hesitation.
The main thing that you have to remember during the interview is that you have the funds, the admission and the means to study in the USA. If you are a good student with clear motives there is no way that you will fail your interview.
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Another important thing is to remember all questions and their answers from the DS160 form. Deny the fact confidently that you got it filled via an agent. Always say that you filled it and make sure you are through with every answer written in it.
If you have any relatives in the USA don’t lie about them. Tell about your relatives and provide true information regarding whatever is asked.
One thing you need to understand is the Interviewer knows very well that you are not going there just to get the degree and return with an “international experience”. So don’t try to sugar coat and emphasis on too much about you going there just for that higher education experience.
Instead, try and provide a rightful answer which shows that you are not just greedy about the abroad experience but you actually want to make something out of yourself and help in doing something worthy.
If you plan to aim for a scholarship or already have one let the officer know about it clearly. There is nothing about it that you need to hide.
Do not try to be very much extravagant about yourself. Be simple and answer everything in simple language. Remember you need to use correct and proper English. You don’t need to go out of your way to impress them. Just be yourself.
Avoid using too much of jargon related to your field of study. Explain in a way that the interviewer can understand. Chances are the interviewer might be from a different field of study altogether.
Practice your answers thoroughly and make sure they are valid.
Along with to do things, there are things that you should be careful and avoid at any cost. Few of the thinks to keep in mind are:
Always avoid ruining your first impression. It’s important that you mark your very first presence in a positive way. Your posture, the way you look and express will help the VO to know if you are serious enough regarding your career and that interview. There are few things in life that requires one to goal in the very first chance given. Your F1 visa is one of those things.
Remember not to babble out too much under the stress. Speak to the point. Your answer should be to a point, mostly in 2-3 sentences. Avoid speaking gibberish. Don’t ramble on and on. After you are done answering the question avoid speaking anything more. Give the interviewer time and space to process your answer and let him ask another one. Don’t confuse yourself.
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Don’t get personal at all. Think of this like a professional interview. Know your limits. Don’t ask any personal questions. Keep it strictly to a point.
Never avoid eye contact with the VO. But then, don’t keep looking at the VO like an owl. Maintain the needed eye contact when you answer the questions. It shows that you are telling the truth. When you avoid eye contact, it gives the impression that you have something to hide. So look at the VO confidently and answer.
Do not forget to take all the required documents. Make sure that for betterment, you take the necessary documents in English. Arrange your documents in perfect sync. You should know what is where. When the VO asks you for something you should not fumble between the documents. Also, be thorough with all your documents. Those documents are in a way your assessment. You should know what’s written in them. Never falsify your documents whatsoever the case be. Also, never give away documents that are not asked for. Only answer or show documents that are asked for.
Do a thorough research about the city, state, and country that you are going. Along with it know all major points about your universities and how uniquely it benefits your field of study. Go through the curriculum of your course. Know about the course names and the subject names. It will be better if you communicate with few senior students as well professors regarding your course after your admission is decided. This will show that you have actually researched your course and know what you are doing.
Don’t underdress or overdress yourself. Wear what makes you look simple and determined. It should not look like you are in for a joke or that you are mocking the process. Don’t try to be an over smart. Avoid dressing the funky hippie style at all cost. In short don’t
In case your visa gets rejected, never ever show anger or frustration in front of the VO. Walk away with dignity. There’s is always another time. Doing something in the heat of situation can worsen the situations for you.
So all in all just compose, take control and be yourself.