Getting through the whole US college admission process is pretty daunting. It starts from the commitment of starting the journey and ends upon receipt of the visa. Even after a student goes through the rigorous process and manages to get the admission and funding, the anxiety of obtaining the visa can be ominous. It’s as if all the hard work can go to waste in the few minutes that a student spends with the visa officer if the visa is rejected. This mere though can send shivers down the spine.
Owing to the importance of the US visa for students, I have compiled a short list of some dos and don’ts when applying for the US visa. This is certainly not an exhaustive list but contains some important things to keep in mind.
Dos
- Make sure your I20 has all the correct information.
- Pay your SEVIS fee before filling up the DS 160 form.
- While filling the DS 160, make sure you have your picture ready to be uploaded.
- The picture should be according to the criteria laid out on the US Government website.
- Take all important documents when you go for the visa interview.
- Keep composure during the interview and be yourself.
- Know all the important details such as how you will be funding your studies, where you will be living once in the US and what your plans are after completing your studies.
Don’ts
- Do not delay applying for US visa as sometimes you may not get an immediate date for interview.
- Never miss your visa appointment. You can get the interview rescheduled if you really can’t go on the scheduled date.
- Never lie during the interview.
- Do not go for interview without having researched the university/program you got admission in, the city/state you are going in and the reason why you selected this particular college.
- Do not panic if the visa officer asks for additional documents through email. Sometimes it’s just a matter of a few days when you get the visa after providing the additional documents.
- Never lose temper and seem annoyed at the questions of the visa officer.
