1. How to select a university ?
1.1 Getting scholarship
1.2 How to deal with consultants
1.1 Getting scholarship
1.2 How to deal with consultants
2. Financial documents for visa interview.
3. Bank statements and bank loan.
4. Genuine documents.
5. How to prepare for student visa interview.
6. Port of entry questions and universities to avoid.
1. How to select a university ?
1. Please make sure, you give first preference to Public schools(In USA even universities are referred as School sometimes). Public schools are operated or funded by state and local governments. Private schools are not affiliated with a government organization. They may be nonprofit colleges, such as those run by private foundations or religious denominations. Or, they may be for-profit businesses, such as many career, online, or technical schools.
I will say, good university selection always matters. Kindly dont go to university that are outside your scope of academics that is the trend I am observing now a days. GOOD selection of university is key.
1.1 Scholarship:
Should I talk to dean once I get admission ?
5. How to prepare for student visa interview.
6. Port of entry questions and universities to avoid.
1. How to select a university ?
Students how do you shortlist any university ? Suggested by consultants or suggested by current enrolled students or relatives,friends?
If suggested by consultancy,why don't you ask them right away if there are any recent visas issued to these universities?
Because I see a trend of 3 universities being applied by all without much knowledge of university. I don't want to name them but yeah why apply when you uncertain they are good universities ?
And to be honest, no good reputed universities provide admissions 3,4 months before school start.
Fellow students these are the guidelines you need to follow before applying for masters program in USA.
1. Please make sure, you give first preference to Public schools(In USA even universities are referred as School sometimes). Public schools are operated or funded by state and local governments. Private schools are not affiliated with a government organization. They may be nonprofit colleges, such as those run by private foundations or religious denominations. Or, they may be for-profit businesses, such as many career, online, or technical schools.
* NOTE : You can also prefer private universities but before you prefer them please kindly read the section 4.2 of this post. It clearly explains the actual difference between so called low fee offering private universities that are getting students in to trouble and the ones that have been established over ages and have the sound reputation. *
2. Do not fall trap for local consultancies/brokers in your city that give false advertisements like
->this school admission is guaranteed even if you have backlogs.
->Do not worry if you Gre score is low or IELETS/TOEFEL score is low.
Do not fall in to such traps. Ask them one question to the nose --> ARE THOSE UNIVERSITIES PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES ?
Please make sure you have minimum GRE score of 295. If you low score than 295 dont get discouraged, it happens sometimes. But still prefer public universities rather than low fees offering private universities. Or give a try at gre again.
->this school admission is guaranteed even if you have backlogs.
->Do not worry if you Gre score is low or IELETS/TOEFEL score is low.
Do not fall in to such traps. Ask them one question to the nose --> ARE THOSE UNIVERSITIES PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES ?
Please make sure you have minimum GRE score of 295. If you low score than 295 dont get discouraged, it happens sometimes. But still prefer public universities rather than low fees offering private universities. Or give a try at gre again.
3.If you are joining the masters program in Engineering, make sure college has Engineering Accrediting Commission of the American Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) (or)
If it is a business school Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). There are multiple accreditation available but make sure that university has proper accreditation for the program it is offering. Remember it is not enough that they have accreditation to open a university, it should also have accreditation to each individual program they offer. In the future your degree should stand strong for applying H1b!!!
If it is a business school Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). There are multiple accreditation available but make sure that university has proper accreditation for the program it is offering. Remember it is not enough that they have accreditation to open a university, it should also have accreditation to each individual program they offer. In the future your degree should stand strong for applying H1b!!!
4. Research the university you are joining ! Go to the Wikipedia page of the university (not just the university website). If you dont find Wikipedia page of particular university, take it as a alarm.
Below are the things you should research for
4.1. When is university founded ?
The old the university is, better it is !
4.2. Type of university : Public or private ?
Make sure it is public. It can be a private university and a good university at same time, but what makes a private university a better university ?
4.3. Endowment:A financial endowment is a donation of money or property to a nonprofit organization for the ongoing support of that organization.
You need money to run state universities. Funds come in different ways. Make sure univeristy or your program of course (engineering or MBA business school) recieves proper endowment. Good universities receive no less than 10 million$ annually in endowments.
4.4 Academic staff: Good universites need more staff to run the unviersity. Below average universities that recieves poor endowment will have staff of at least 800.
Average universties that have many programs will have 1500 full time staff.
Top 150 ranks universities will average from 1500 to 3,000 full time staff.
Below are the things you should research for
4.1. When is university founded ?
The old the university is, better it is !
4.2. Type of university : Public or private ?
Make sure it is public. It can be a private university and a good university at same time, but what makes a private university a better university ?
4.3. Endowment:A financial endowment is a donation of money or property to a nonprofit organization for the ongoing support of that organization.
You need money to run state universities. Funds come in different ways. Make sure univeristy or your program of course (engineering or MBA business school) recieves proper endowment. Good universities receive no less than 10 million$ annually in endowments.
4.4 Academic staff: Good universites need more staff to run the unviersity. Below average universities that recieves poor endowment will have staff of at least 800.
Average universties that have many programs will have 1500 full time staff.
Top 150 ranks universities will average from 1500 to 3,000 full time staff.
5. Above all USA have 55 different public bodies running the state public unviersties. Lets forget about virign islands and Mariana islands. Still you have 52 states that run Public universities.
On an average each state run 5 to 10 public universities. That makes a plenty of public universities with around 280 of them offering fully accredited engineering
programs.
Then why my dear friends you are going for recently established schools that are run by private bodies, who dont even have a complete campus for students or even a separate building for engineering school ??
Make sure you do enough research. Dont fall in trap of road side brokers, especially I see them many in Hyderabad who offer low fee universities, that are not public and dont run full time staff and many lackluster facts that account them as poor universities.
As a last word of advice:
-> do not join private universities until it is heavily endowed or funded (at least 15 million dollars). 15 million dollars might sound high, but it is minimum required for any state university. Go to Wikipedia page and see if it is funded properly. If no endowment details are provided and it is a private university, then omit it from your list!!
-> do not go through consultancies in getting admission and everything (you know when I say everything!!). Please spend your time at home, research universities that are public, go to admissions page and research the admission procedure.
There are around renowned 280 public universities you can research from. Road side brokers/consultancies might false advertise to join the private universities that are cheap or affordable. Do not fell in to trap.
Good Luck.
On an average each state run 5 to 10 public universities. That makes a plenty of public universities with around 280 of them offering fully accredited engineering
programs.
Then why my dear friends you are going for recently established schools that are run by private bodies, who dont even have a complete campus for students or even a separate building for engineering school ??
Make sure you do enough research. Dont fall in trap of road side brokers, especially I see them many in Hyderabad who offer low fee universities, that are not public and dont run full time staff and many lackluster facts that account them as poor universities.
As a last word of advice:
-> do not join private universities until it is heavily endowed or funded (at least 15 million dollars). 15 million dollars might sound high, but it is minimum required for any state university. Go to Wikipedia page and see if it is funded properly. If no endowment details are provided and it is a private university, then omit it from your list!!
-> do not go through consultancies in getting admission and everything (you know when I say everything!!). Please spend your time at home, research universities that are public, go to admissions page and research the admission procedure.
There are around renowned 280 public universities you can research from. Road side brokers/consultancies might false advertise to join the private universities that are cheap or affordable. Do not fell in to trap.
Good Luck.
Note: There are many typos and bad grammar since I didn't review this notes over and over again.
EDIT: Dear friends, I would like to emphasize again that private funded universities are not poor choice for Masters. This advice is written considering the students who are falsely advised to opt for cheap/affordable private universities that are academically underfunded. Private universities like Stanford, Harvard, Princeton, Yale, Cornell or Duke are not our discussion for today. Universities that students have considered joining without analyzing crucial terms like accreditation, curriculum and infrastructure but a low fee structure.
EDIT 2: Search for your university name listed in this url http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/…/eng-ran…
I will say, good university selection always matters. Kindly dont go to university that are outside your scope of academics that is the trend I am observing now a days. GOOD selection of university is key.
Do you know most universities have special funding programs for students with work experience in their field of study etc. I wonder if the consultants guide the students in taking an opportunity this way ?
Most of the notable universities conduct interviews ahead of time for Research assitantship opportunities. A good university program will have ample Teaching assitantship and Graduate assitantship opportunities. Without applying you will not be provided assistantship and fee waiver. Do consultants or brokers who get you and suggest admission discuss these factors while guiding you in applying for one ? It is relatively hard to score them in first semester but it is not impossible and worth a try.
without talking to Dean of the graduation program and professor who is currently running the research program in your interested field of study, how will you be able to take decision ? Remember you college or university selection should be purely academic !! I am not sure what do you mean by very strict ! you can always be formal and put your answers short. Do you know the fact most standard universities admissions require approval from department Deans and those are the ones who review your recommendation letters from the current UG professors. Once you get addmission, you will have a professor assigned to you from your department who can be either your own RA provider or the proffessor assigned by the department to give guidance on your course work. Every semester he will guide you with improving grades and also which course to take and get specialized. All the best.
1.2 When Going to consultants for applying universities:
Many students ask this question very frequently when they get admission from private university !
Is this a good unviersity ?
Private universities that offer you an i20 with GRE scores below 290 and Ielts below 6.5 with academics below 68% are not worthy and are for sure a low profile universities.
Answer is give GRE and TOEFL again while trying to get admission from public universities.
A high profile private university will not offer you admission with that scores.
Then why students apply ?
Some consultancies , road-side brokers get their commission getting you i20 from low profile private universities. They advertise you stating I20 in 5 days. No application fee required, just 100$ for two i20s etc. They dont even bother to ask your scores, they will say admission guaranteed.
There are Good consultants who actually guide the student and warn them when asking to apply for low profile private universities, but some do not and take some application fee for applying to that universities.
but what about VISA ?
They can suggest to warn you saying the same but why do they not suggest the same about low profile private universities ????
--> because all it matters to them is commission for each i20.
--> because all it matters to them is commission for each i20.
JUST ASK ONE QUESTION ON THE FACE ?
Are there any visas to this private university who got i20 from your consultancy, if yes give his email id and contact number.
Are there any visas to this private university who got i20 from your consultancy, if yes give his email id and contact number.
If he gives just one or two numbers and if students are not recent, dont it sound like an alarm friends ? Why waste time and money and visa opportunity, instead give gre and toefl again while staying away from brokers who say we can get you i20 in 5 days.
Below is a list of institutions that we have learned do not meet the criteria of United States institution of higher education as defined in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965:
Stratford University
University of Northern Virginia
Sullivan University
Herguan University
University of Northern Virginia
Sullivan University
Herguan University
Dear future students, I see many advertisements mentioning " i20 in 5 days", admission granted even low scores etc. Most of them can get you i20, but what after having i20 ? Is your future in safe hands ? Will you be able to get visa in first place ? Even if you lucky enough to get Visa, will you be trouble free ? For all these questions there is only one answer. Answer is "there are no short cuts to USA".
Work hard, be genuine, put your efforts at right place. To all these so called consultants put one question straight on face -
is this university safe to apply for OPT program after graduation, if yes how many months ?
Is it accredited to apply H1b under students cap and EAD under Eb2 category, just in case you end up in a good career in USA ?
Can we have testimonials from the students you have placed there earlier ?
All these questions can give you answers that can save your lifetime efforts.
EDIT: The reason I have pasted this because many of the consultants who posted here suggested the students to join one of the for profit university stratford in the past. Students who applied and lucky enough to get visa are now facing lot of issues while coming to legal employmentetc.
2. Financial Documents for visa interview :
There is a lot of difference in statements " how much should I show and how much should I save " How much should I show is outcome of poor planning, late awareness to the requirement that you need to save money for your masters education, whether it to be living expenses or part of term Fee.
How much should I save is outcome of better planning and early start to prepare for your masters degree. An average student will be ready with GRE and toefl scores ahead of year before university semester starts, while still in final year of engineering course or BSc to start ready with shortlisting universities and start warming up his savings account by liquidating the funds from the hard properties their sponsors invested.
So an average student who is preparing for fall 2017 will start GRE and toefel preparation beggening this summer of may 2016 and finish taking the exams by August. So when he applies for universities in month of late September and early October 2016, he will have an estimate amount to prepare and save beggening the month of November or December 2016 until the time he appears on month of May or June 2017 for visa interviews.
And these saving funds will further help you survive during first semester while your bank loan funds the semester fee. This is how we used to plan back in time and most of my friends and their cousins and next stream of students followed. I am amazed to see soo many students asking two weeks before interview on how much amount to save and asking to apply for schools four months before school starts !!!!
The intention of x lakh rupees savings is for your living expense and since you dont have on-campus job or GA positions available yet at time of interview you need to pay from your pocket. So showing land and property documents will not help covering the payment. You can show your sponsors income or his savings which can cover. Even though you dont have 10 lakhs in pocket you should be able to convince visa officer using long bank statements where he saved money in the past that can emphasize that you are regular saver of money and you can afford it. This is the reason admissions close 8 months prior to school starts, mean while you can apply for on campus jobs and GA positions.
3. Bank Statements and Bank Loan:
For any interview whether it is US consulate or any country consulate or any country visa,
Bank statements are the statements issued by the bank at end of every month closure. These banks statements show the transactions since you will use your bank debit card for transactions like movie tickets or electricity bill/phone bill etc. Technically we have to carry at least 6 month bank statements before attending interview. The bank account can be joint account between you and your parent or care taker. So these 6 months bank statements are the statements that reflect your actual funds in your account at the end of every month end. If not for 6 months at least 3 months. Please do not reply saying "my friend carried only 1 month statement and there where no questions asked or I have funds to my account added last month and I think that should stand good etc" Well please make sure you make job of visa officer easy by passing him enough bank statements, that will save his time to validate your bank funds right away, instead of wasting his time to verify with bank. So summary is always carry bank statements for at least 3 months to save your efforts.
Bank statements are the statements issued by the bank at end of every month closure. These banks statements show the transactions since you will use your bank debit card for transactions like movie tickets or electricity bill/phone bill etc. Technically we have to carry at least 6 month bank statements before attending interview. The bank account can be joint account between you and your parent or care taker. So these 6 months bank statements are the statements that reflect your actual funds in your account at the end of every month end. If not for 6 months at least 3 months. Please do not reply saying "my friend carried only 1 month statement and there where no questions asked or I have funds to my account added last month and I think that should stand good etc" Well please make sure you make job of visa officer easy by passing him enough bank statements, that will save his time to validate your bank funds right away, instead of wasting his time to verify with bank. So summary is always carry bank statements for at least 3 months to save your efforts.
Sample bank statement is as below. Download them in Pdf form or request Bank to postal mail or printout them for you at their customer service desk.
http://www.consumercourt.in/…/4715d1331178510-bsnl-poor-cus…
http://www.consumercourt.in/…/4715d1331178510-bsnl-poor-cus…
Regarding income proof of sponsors:
Highlight the pay cheques deposited in to account every month.
Form 16.
If business / enterpreanuers carry the income tax return documents.
Thanks for reading.
Bank loan:
Many banks encourage students with bank loan offers. Check with your nearest bank.
Most popular is synd vidya from syndicate bank.
Thanks for reading.
Bank loan:
Many banks encourage students with bank loan offers. Check with your nearest bank.
Most popular is synd vidya from syndicate bank.
4.What are genuine documents ?
For the amount shown in your savings account, you should have the savings statements/transaction reflect the duration of your funds stay. You cannot carry a savings account that was empty for the past three months and all of a sudden there is a sudden deposit of huge income just before interview. This income might be genuine but in such case you should be able to show the proof of transaction. For example if a property is sold you cn present the documents as proof. It is healthy to carry checking account transactions / statements as well for the past 3 months. Healthy Checking accounts will reflect the monthly salary deposit of your sponsors. Though checking account won't reflect high balance of amount like savings, number of transactions and deposits of the monthly income can stand supportive to saving account in terms of funds rotation.
What are genuine documents (employment proof):
If your sponsors are Employed.
Highlight the pay cheques/slips deposited in to account every month.
Highlight the pay cheques/slips deposited in to account every month.
If you have rental income, show the proof of monthly rental income deposited in checking account.
Form 16.
If business / enterpreanuers carry the income tax return documents.
If business / enterpreanuers carry the income tax return documents.
It is better if you carry the original and one photocopy of all documents.
For every single rupee you show in savings account you should carry document proof. Now a days it is mandatory and must.
How to prepare for student visa interview:
What will be your best answer for "why this university , why not other ?"
Well of course they suit your profile and that is why you have applied. Be more specific and what is the program in this university that actually suits your interest?
VO knows that your profile and university do match. But he/ she is actually looking for the details of the program which is currently being offered in the university and matches your interest.
For ex: Dr.David is currently running a research program in t-ray development for abberation detection of structure and he is interested to continue this research for next semester and interviewed me for a position to offer RA. You can share the email conversation etc.
Or alternatively you can answer, I am academically strong in data integration, this university is offering two 500 level courses in data integration. I have presented various technical papers in this stream and I find this university course work can help me extended those technical work I done in ug to further develop my master thesis.
Be genuine and show how academically enthusiast you are for pursuing program.
Carry the documents that are mentioned in the section genuine documents. Please always carry bank statements for past 6 months. And genuine proof for original source of savings in your bank account.
If you have 15 lakhs of savings in rupees in bank saving deposit, you should be able to show genuine documents that show how those funds came/deposited in to your account.
If you have 15 lakhs of savings in rupees in bank saving deposit, you should be able to show genuine documents that show how those funds came/deposited in to your account.
For example say savings amount of 15 lakhs = 5 lakhs of gold loan + 3 lakhs of PF liquidated funds + 7 lakhs of sold property.
Carry the document that proves 7 lakhs of sold property and liquidated funds and gold loan all together. Present them to visa officer.
Unless you present those funds your savings wont be considered genuine. In most cases they are taking the verification further by verifying the authenticity of the documents submitted for two, three days
Profile: Student 1
GRE Score: 310
TOEFL: 98
Academics – 70% (No Backlogs)
GRE Score: 310
TOEFL: 98
Academics – 70% (No Backlogs)
Profile: Student 2
GRE Score: 281
TOEFL: 65
Academics: 51% ( 16 backlogs)
We tend to prefer the term blacklisted universities to universities that accept Student 2.
Universities like NPU, Herguan, Tri-Valley University, Silicon Valley University, ITU, etc.
I highly doubt if the Student 1 will even consider such schools.
What happens with student 2 is desperate to go to USA ( and settle down in America)?
They are going to find schools that are ready to give admission with their low academic profiles. Believe it or not, education is also run as a business. Universities need students who can pay higher fees. They want to make money from your fees
PORT of entry:
Students who are worried about port of entry immigration questions.
1. PLEASE make sure what are the courses you are registering.
1. PLEASE make sure what are the courses you are registering.
2. What is the course fee for each credit.
3. Carry DD in name of university or any name mentioned by admission department. Double check the name before you take the DD. Take the DD in the amount mentioned by the university. Inquire the course fee and make sure you are covering that entire fee in form of DD.
Apart from this you can carry travels cheq etc fr first 3 months personal expenses.
Immigration interview example:
iO: show me the documents which u have produced at ur tym of visa interview.
me: gave.
iO reviewed each and every document asked about my job experience also called to the company and cross checked. Also checked my bank loan details.
IO:- how much is your bank loan value? If you have a travel card how much u r carrying in it?
me:- everything explained in detailed
after 3 hrs IO came and said
ok gentleman you records looks genuine and said welcome to US.
---
Suggestions from web (not mine)
Immigration interview example:
iO: show me the documents which u have produced at ur tym of visa interview.
me: gave.
iO reviewed each and every document asked about my job experience also called to the company and cross checked. Also checked my bank loan details.
IO:- how much is your bank loan value? If you have a travel card how much u r carrying in it?
me:- everything explained in detailed
after 3 hrs IO came and said
ok gentleman you records looks genuine and said welcome to US.
---
Suggestions from web (not mine)
Port of entry for F1 visa Students
1) Why are you coming to USA?
2) Which University?
3) Do you have any address over here?
4) If you are travelling to a city where the university is not located(travelling to city where friends or relatives reside) immigration officer may ask you why you are heading to a new destination instead of the university location.
5) How long you are going to stay in the USA?
6) How much money you are carrying? - you are expected to carry few thousands of dollars for immediate expenses.
7) Are you carrying debit card or travel card? how are you going to pay college fee. - Better to have first sem tuition fee in travelers checks or debit cards.
8) Are you going to work in USA? - you are not allowed to work outside campus. And 20 hrs week allowed on campus.
9) how much each course cost at your university. Know the fundamentals of semester fees/tuition.
10) Are you going to earn extra income by working in gas stations, motels,restaurents? - You should not.
11) What is living cost in your city? For CA, NY, NJ it would be $1000+ a month. other places 750-1000$
12) How many are going to live in the apartment? Do you have accomodation? - 10 or 12 in single apartment is not allowed. Usually max of 2 in single bed, 4 in 2 bed.
13) In what city are you planning to apply for part-time jobs? - you should not do this on F1 visa.
14) How many courses are you enrolling in first sem? What are they?
2) Which University?
3) Do you have any address over here?
4) If you are travelling to a city where the university is not located(travelling to city where friends or relatives reside) immigration officer may ask you why you are heading to a new destination instead of the university location.
5) How long you are going to stay in the USA?
6) How much money you are carrying? - you are expected to carry few thousands of dollars for immediate expenses.
7) Are you carrying debit card or travel card? how are you going to pay college fee. - Better to have first sem tuition fee in travelers checks or debit cards.
8) Are you going to work in USA? - you are not allowed to work outside campus. And 20 hrs week allowed on campus.
9) how much each course cost at your university. Know the fundamentals of semester fees/tuition.
10) Are you going to earn extra income by working in gas stations, motels,restaurents? - You should not.
11) What is living cost in your city? For CA, NY, NJ it would be $1000+ a month. other places 750-1000$
12) How many are going to live in the apartment? Do you have accomodation? - 10 or 12 in single apartment is not allowed. Usually max of 2 in single bed, 4 in 2 bed.
13) In what city are you planning to apply for part-time jobs? - you should not do this on F1 visa.
14) How many courses are you enrolling in first sem? What are they?
SEVP check of University: Immigration officer will check whether your school is SEVP accredited or not. If you school is not in the SEVP database visa officer may reject your entry into USA.
Recommendations to Travel on F1 Visa
Don't travel in bigger groups.
Carry atleast 1000+ USD.
Know about university, tuition/fee, subjects, courses.
You should not work outside the university campus.
Carry financial support documents, debit cards loaded with money for alteast 1st sem tuition fee.
Don't apply to JUNK UNIVERSITIES - Especially the ones paying money to Consultancies.
Don't give STUPID answers.
You should remember that Port of Entry officer has the right to revoke your visa and send you back to home country.
-----
Below are some popular suggestions to avoid certain universities. Remember the fact that accreditation update time to time. In the end always prefer public university or high profile private university.
Carry atleast 1000+ USD.
Know about university, tuition/fee, subjects, courses.
You should not work outside the university campus.
Carry financial support documents, debit cards loaded with money for alteast 1st sem tuition fee.
Don't apply to JUNK UNIVERSITIES - Especially the ones paying money to Consultancies.
Don't give STUPID answers.
You should remember that Port of Entry officer has the right to revoke your visa and send you back to home country.
-----
Below are some popular suggestions to avoid certain universities. Remember the fact that accreditation update time to time. In the end always prefer public university or high profile private university.
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