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Hello guys, I have been reading the grade cafe since long time . It's been so much of help to me at so many difficulties from GRE,TOEFL test through University applications, waiting and tracking for decisions... I would like you all to put your suggestions about "what should I do now". my F1 VISA got rejected at Mumbai consulate. It was my 1st attempt. Here is the VI experience.... Me: Good Morning Sir. VO: Good Morning. Which University you are applying to? Me: University of Maryland College Park. VO: Which other Universities did you apply to? Me: NCSU, USC, UTD, UMD (all full forms) VO: How many admits? Me: Only University of Maryland College Park. VO: What is your undergrad aggregate percentage? Me: 69% VO: What is your GRE score? Me: 1180. VO: Who is funding you? Me: My father is funding. VO: What does he do? Me: He provides financial and insurance consultation and he also retired… VO: (Interrupts me) what is his income? Me: 2 Lacks. VO: What 2 Lack? Me: 2 Lacks Indian Rupees. VO: According to immigration rules you are disqualified for VISA...blah blah... Me: Thank you sir. I personally think that he ruled me out because of less annual income. (Actually he didn't gave chance to describe his savings which 3 to 4 times the 1st year total expense and immovable asset of 20 times the 1st year expense , he didn't listened to me that he is Retired Govt. servant and even after retirement he drives his own consultancy) Request you to correct me where i missed during my interview. It lasted for merely 35 to 40 seconds only... Now I am confused, should I apply again for VISA for University of Maryland College Park and take a chance or should not? Will my second rejection make a bad impression for future VISA applications(any type)? I believe in practical solutions of the problem ....no doubt that Hope, Luck also takes part , but I wanna be sure for sure. Help me. Its Urgent. Thanking you for your patients to read my long thread.

@ghanada & collegebum1989: Firstly, Thank you both for putting your invaluable suggestions. I chose UMD's professional master of engineering program because of its course content and quality of education I am expecting. UMD is offering me Electrical Engineering with specialization in Communication and Signal Processing. However my future goal is to pursue Doctoral studies, now the situation is that I don't have any admits for Fall 2012 semester, so I think I should join this program without wasting time. If you have any suggestions, you are welcome to put it in front. I would be much obliged. Moreover, I have asked my program coordinator about the same query, he replies "If I perform well during this program, I shall even improve my chances of getting into Doctoral program.” This positive connotation had poured confidence in me (Still I don't take future Doctoral admit as grated with this comment of my coordinator). Since I am new in USA and coming as an international student, can you suggest me, possible ways of doing independent research work in U.S.A. during the program? I've already contacted with Research Laboratories at UMD but they denied me to give a research work authorization because of professional program I am enrolled. My undergrad GPA is 3.96, GRE 1200 (will retake GRE to score >1500) and I have 1 international research publication till date (as 1st author) and one more publication (as 1st author) is under review. What do think guys, how should I move forward and utilize my energy and time during Master of Engineering studies? I would really appreciate if you could give suggestions in this scenario of mine.

Hi, I have been admitted into Professional Master of Engineering - Electrical Engineering from University of Maryland College Park which doesn't comprise of any research or thesis work. It is fully 30 credit course work based program. I would like to apply for Doctoral Program in top graduate schools after the compltion of Masters program. What should I do to improve my admission chances ? Any suggestions will be appreciated. Thanks!!