Applied to Canada and USA (F1 visa concerns)

[Lex Shrapnel]

I am a prospective grad-student for MS in Physics. I applied to a top Canadian University that had very good research along with the ones in the US. So there are about eight schools that I've applied to including the Canadian one. If I say this to my F1 visa interviewer, would it raise any suspicion? I didn't get an admission to this University, but I got 4 from US universities. How should I address the question "Why did you apply to Canada?"

 

There is only a few days left for my interview. I am worried about the uncertainty in these matters. I have good grades and test scores and a stable financial background, yet the outcome might vary!

 

 

[TakeruK]

It should be fine. Just wondering, why do you think this might be a problem? One of the main goals in the F-1 interview is for the officer to determine that you are eligible for F-1 status, which is mostly: 1) getting into a school, 2) meeting financial requirements and 3) demonstrate that you only intend to stay for the degree and then go home. Having applied to a Canadian school does not affect this at all. You can be honest--you were interested in that program but did not get accepted and/or you chose to go to X instead. 

[fuzzylogician]

There shouldn't be any problem. First, it's unlikely that you'll be asked where else you applied. Second, if you are asked (this is true for anything you might asked) don't panic and just answer truthfully. You applied to X, Y and Z schools because they have good programs in your area of study, and no one knows how well they will do before the apply so you were maximizing your chances of getting admitted somewhere with good funding. I assume the answer for why you applied to the Canadian school is the same as why you applied to the other US schools: because they were a good research fit. That's pretty much all anyone would expect you to say and it's a perfectly reasonable answer. Good luck with your interview; I am sure it will be just fine.

[Lex Shrapnel]

I do have a couple more doubts regarding the future-plans section.

Edited November 28, 2014 by Lex Shrapnel

[Lex Shrapnel]

There shouldn't be any problem. First, it's unlikely that you'll be asked where else you applied. Second, if you are asked (this is true for anything you might asked) don't panic and just answer truthfully. You applied to X, Y and Z schools because they have good programs in your area of study, and no one knows how well they will do before the apply so you were maximizing your chances of getting admitted somewhere with good funding. I assume the answer for why you applied to the Canadian school is the same as why you applied to the other US schools: because they were a good research fit. That's pretty much all anyone would expect you to say and it's a perfectly reasonable answer. Good luck with your interview; I am sure it will be just fine.

Thank you for the reply. If I may ask one more question - would it be a bad idea to say "Yes, I will return to my home country, but I will be joining x university in Canada for my phd soon after" if they asks "What do you plan to do after this? Will you return to your home country?"

[TakeruK]

Thank you for the reply. If I may ask one more question - would it be a bad idea to say "Yes, I will return to my home country, but I will be joining x university in Canada for my phd soon after" if they asks "What do you plan to do after this? Will you return to your home country?"

 

I would always be honest in your answers but there's no point speculating on future details. Right now, you do not have a PhD offer from a Canadian university so the honest answer is that the plan after your US program is finished, you are going to go back home. If they do ask what you plan to do afterwards, it is okay to say that you are not sure, and your options are working or going to a PhD program etc. 

[fuzzylogician]

Yeah, I would not offer speculations. After finishing this program you'll go back home and hope to apply for a PhD program later on. If they ask where, I think it's fair to say that at the moment you think that the best fitting programs are in Canada, but it's hard to know before you even start your MA program. But it's very likely that no one will ask you any of these questions, and I would advise you not to volunteer information beyond answers directly to what you are being asked.

[-hermes-]

There shouldn't be any problem. First, it's unlikely that you'll be asked where else you applied.

 

Actually, it's quite common to be asked this during an F1 interview in certain countries. It came up in my interview, and I named schools I had considered -- four in the US and one in Canada. If anything, I'd say your Canadian application reduces any "suspicion" and improve your chances of getting a US student visa. It suggests that you're genuinely interested in finding a good research fit, not moving to the US (and potentially immigrating/overstaying your visa). 

[Lex Shrapnel]

It suggests that you're genuinely interested in finding a good research fit, not moving to the US (and potentially immigrating/overstaying your visa). 

Brilliant! That's a relief actually. I am going in for the interview this Monday (8th Dec). Even though I am well aware of the department faculty, research and future plans, there is a possibility that my answers might sound a bit robotic. Is there a thing called "over-preparing"?

 

Oh, and by the way, have you guys ever got the question "Why spring instead of fall"? In my case the answer would be something like "the admits that I got during last fall were not up to my expectations." (<-- boring answer??)

Edited December 2, 2014 by Lex Shrapnel

[-hermes-]

It seems like you've prepared well for all the factors within your control, like being knowledgeable about the program and faculty. Just don't recite it as though you've memorized it when it comes up. 

 

And for the spring versus fall question, I'd probably give a reason why I didn't accept those offers -- eg no funding, and so you had to try again for spring.

[Lex Shrapnel]

Thank you for the encouraging replies, everything went well. Just a couple of very basic questions were asked, the answers to ALL of which were either yes or no. It only took about 30 seconds max!