Eternal Optimist

Received acceptance from Michigan State couple of weeks ago. Another acceptance from UMass Amherst today. Funding info forthcoming for both.

Boise State University. I go there and it's amazing!

^That's one amazing advice!!!

Hey y'all! My visa interview went smoothly. Its approved. Just wanted to share the happy nees with everyone here!

Hey guys! My visa is approved! I will be heading to Boise this July! So excited, wanted to share the news with y'all.

Exactly! Thank you

Yes, I think 2 months should be enough. After the International office got in touch with me, it took them just 1 week to send me the I20.

I hope my interview goes the same way too

Thank you Psych 21

Finally scheduled my Visa interview. Its on 30th May. Just 22 more days of uncertainty!!!

Its Mango season in India ♥

I was accepted on March 17th and the International office got in touch with me immediately. After I submitted my financial information, my I20 was sent to me in a week's time.

Saman, Would property deeds be enough?

Fuzzy, Thanks a lot! I am quite relieved to hear your answer. This is exactly what I was looking for, to hear from someone who had applied for F1 visa. My school replied immediately and said that its highly unlikely that the officer would demand proof for 2nd year funding. The officer might however ask me about a back-up plan. If its purely based on individual cases, I have nothing to worry about. I was just worried that it might be an absolute requirement. I am glad that I do not have to put my Visa application process on hold to arrange for funds.

Yes, I will be able to re apply for Visa with proof of more funding. But if I knew for sure whether or not the 2nd year funding proof is a requirement, I could arrange for the funds and then apply. Somehow, I am uncomfortable with the idea of getting rejected the first time. But as you had mentioned, I think there is no way of knowing what the Visa officer would expect. I have heard a lot of people saying that it depends on individual cases. So I think I will have to apply and see. I have written to the university regarding this question. Hopefully, I get a positive response. Thank you for sharing your experience.

Thank you once again

Fuzzylogician thanks for moving the topic here. Since I had posted in 'The Bank' twice earlier regarding similar questions, I thought that would be the right place.

Hello Everyone, I have posted this question on the 'Banks' thread but would still like to know what you guys think and if you have faced a similar situation. I have my I20 which shows proof for 1st year funds (assistantship + $4057 sponsored by my father). When I read the I 20, the financial section states that I need to show evidence of proof of funds for entire course of the program(2 years). My assitantship letter states that, 'Pending available funds, the assistantship is renewable for the 2nd year, provided you remain in good standing and receice positive feedback from the writing faculty'. I have read about students whose Visas have been rejected because the Visa Officer was not satisfied with the answer provided by them regarding proof of finance for the 2nd year. So I am freaking out. In case my assistantship is not renewed for the 2nd year (which I don't think will happen), my parents will be able to fund the 2nd year of study. But the problem is we do not have $36, 000 in the bank right now to show as proof for 2nd year. In 1 year getting that amount won't be a problem we have several options like selling one of the properties or taking a loan etc. Although its possible to take out a loan right now, I am afraid that it will delay my visa process plus I feel like its premature to take out a loan now when there is no reason to believe that my assistantship won't be renewed for a 2nd year. My question: Is it absolutely necessary to show the $36, 000 as proof for 2nd year when my I 20 states that I have enough funds for the 1st year? Sorry for the long post.

Hello Everyone, I am an international student (from India) and have been accepted to a 2 years Master's degree in the U.S. I have also been offered a Teaching Assistantship position which offers full tuition waver and a stipend of $10, 045 for the first year. I have shown proof of funds for the remaining amount of $4057. I have also received my I 20. My assistantship letter states that, ' Pending available funds, your assistantship is renewable for the 2nd year, provided you remain in good standing and receive positive feedback from writing faculty' My question is do I need to show proof of funds for the 2nd year in order to get the F1 Visa? I have read from several websites and forums that I need to prove that funds will likely be available for the 2nd year as well. In case my assistantship is not renewed for the 2nd year ( which I don't think will happen or at least shouldn't happen), my parents are willing to sponsor me. But it would be very difficult to show proof of $36, 000 in savings account or as fixed deposit immediately as proof of funds for the 2nd year. 1 year is a sufficient time for my family to sell properties or get a loan. I am worried about this issue because, I have read about Visas getting rejected if a student is unable to provide satisfactory answers to questions about proof of funds for the 2nd year. Please share your suggestions and experiences. Thank you

Bumping this thread! The university that I am going to enroll in doesn't have any immunization requirements. This was confirmed by the university's international admission office. My question is, as an International student entering U.S. do I need to show any immunization records at the airport or anywhere else even if my university doesn't demand it?

People moving from east coast to west coast and vice versa, consider yourselves lucky, being an international student, I will only be seeing my family after 9 or 10 months I completely understand how hard it must be for you guys to move to an entirely new state leaving behind your family and friends. I did my undergrad degree away from home (like 2 days in train away). I got to visit home every 3 to 4 months. Even then I was homesick and depressed during my final year. I missed two weeks worth of classes and got back home early before a break. So I know what y'all must be feeling. But you will be in the same country So rejoice! And I am not complaining at all. I recognize that its an amazing opportunity to move across the world, experience a new culture and learn in a completely new academic setting. I feel lucky that I will get to do this. It still hurts to think that I will not be able to spend time with my family for 9 whole months! That's too long!

You may be correct about this. I did explain to them how they were a better fit for me but it didn't seem right to turn down the offer at this point. I also mentioned that hopefully I am lucky enough to get a second chance when I apply for their PhD. The program advisor was very kind and said he wished he was able to extend an offer to me earlier to beat the competion. He added, 'I hope you consider us when it is time for your PhD.' So I am glad that I have left things on good terms with them. And I feel a LOT better after talking to you guys about it. So thank you

JLRC exactly my point. That's the reason, I did nog ask my university about it. That's one of the main reasons I let the other offer go. I didn't want to be on bad terms with the department especially after they have been so nice to me. Apixelrevolt thanks

And guys, its an M.A. program. So I did feel that it was just for 2 years and I will definitely have a chance to explore another place for my PhD. I might have acted differently if it was a question of 5 to 7 years. But even so, saying No to the one school that saw some kind of promise and potential in my application when other schools placed me on waitlists, feels wrong. And I am sure I will be happy in my program. The department has been very welcoming and I have made couple of friends who are in the 2nd year. But I would be lying if I said it doesn't sting. I will keep wondering what my life could have been in the other university. But like you guys had mentioned, with time and all the good times I will have in my program, I will probably feel this was for the best. Thank you so much for your inputs. I will definitely keep your opinions in mind while I apply for PhD.

I had accepted a funded offer at university A way back in March because that was the only funded offer I had received at that point. Yesterday, I was accepted to University B off the waitlist. University B is a better a fit for me for so many reasons. More money, friends and relatives live few hours away, professor I really wanted to work with etc. After reading online that I would need a written release from University A before I accepted the offer from B (since its past the national deadline), I decided to turn down University B. I have been upset since then. In one way, I feel relieved because it seemed unethical to me turning down the first offer that saved me after the deadline. It didn't seem fair putting them in trouble. But I also feel like I have let a great opportunity slip. Do you guys think University A would have understood my position and granted me a written release had I asked them? Has this happened to anyone else? How would you have handled this? When I turned down the offer B stating the reason honestly, the program advisor told me that I was doing that right thing at this point. So that makes me feel better. But I still can't help feeling a little crushed.