Master’s Series: Part-3 “Scenario after Acceptance”

This is part-3 of the mini-series you can read the part-2

Master’s Series: Part-2 “Shortlisting and Applications”

Congratulations on your acceptance!

Now that you have got the admit and have finalized the college, you will be wondering what is next. Well, there are a few procedures you have to go through even before you land in the US.

First and foremost is to pay the deposit fees. Once you have finished it, you have to request for I20 for that, you have to show the funds mentioned by the university either in your bank account or your parent’s bank account or you can show your loan sanction letter.

After receiving your I20, you have to apply for Visa for that, you have to fill out two applications consecutively.

1. DS-160 form — https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/
2. Visa Application — https://portal.ustraveldocs.com/

Points to remember while you are filling out the application, keep your passport and I20 with you because most of the information you will be filling in is present in the I20 itself.

After you make the Visa application fee payment, you have to hop to make the SEVIS I-901 fee payment (https://fmjfee.com/i901fee/index.html).

After making the payment, you must wait for the VISA slots to open. Usually, for the fall, the first slots open around mid-may (keep a check on the US embassy’s Twitter).

you should join your university's Facebook group and unofficial WhatsApp group at the earliest (most group links can be found in yocket) so that you don’t miss out on any information or seminar/webinars conducted. you should also join the WhatsApp group for Visa slots as well.

Usually, during this time, people start searching for roommates and book flight tickets(P.S. Some book flight tickets after their visa approval).

Start searching for accommodations (off-campus/on-campus) with your roommates. Some suggested sites are

1. Apartment.com
2. Zillow

Visa Interview Prep

Before I begin, remember that it doesn’t matter which consulate you get for your interview trust me, only a good-ranking university, good English communication, and 5–6 mock interviews will get your Visa approved (an itsy bitsy luck factor as well). I got the Chennai consulate, and people started scaring the shit out of me that “Oh! Chennai, do you plan to reschedule the location”, “The interviewers are scary, and they will reject you for no reason”(unless you are going for low ranked university). So, listen to me and just follow the 3 commands. Your visa will surely get approved

3 Commands to follow: 1. Have a good-ranked university, 2. Good English Communication and 3. 5–6 mock interviews

Documents checklist

Biometric/OFC day! (chill day fr)

• Passport (carry your old passport if you have traveled before)
• Visa Appointment Page
• DS-160 Confirmation page
• I-20
• Sevis Fee Receipt
• MRV (Visa Application fee)

Interview Day!

• Passport
• Visa Appointment letter
• DS-160 Confirmation letter
• I-20
• Sevis Fee Receipt
• 10th Marksheet
• 12th Marksheet
• Transcript
• GRE/TOEFL/Duolingo/IELTS
• CA letter
• Bank Statement (6 months)
• Bank Certificate (a month before your interview is fine)

I started preparing for the interview 2 weeks before.

These are the only questions based on my current situation

1. What is your purpose for going to the US?
2. Why the US?
3. Explain two core subjects that you will be taking at the university.
4. How is your course related to your bachelor's?
5. How much does your university cost?
6. What is your university mascot?
7. Why have you chosen this University?
8. Why Master of Science in Data Science?
9. Who is funding or sponsoring you?
10. What is your long-term goal?
11. What are your plans after completing your master’s?
12. How many universities did you apply to?
13. Why do you think a visa should be granted to you?
14. Would you like to take OPT?
15. What do your parents do?
16. Can you tell me something about the university?
17. What is your undergraduate project?
18. Do you have any work experience? (Answer this only if you have filled your internship/job details in DS-160)

Please let me know through the comment section if you want to view my answers.

In the first week, work on answering the question(you can create a Word doc for the prep) and make sure to proofread your answers.

And in the second week, start sitting for mock interviews with your friend, mother, father, siblings, youtube, or a consultant.

And you are ready for the interview!

Points to note down:

1. Make sure that you meticulously review your DS-160 form before submitting it because the interviewer will scroll through your DS-160 while they question you.
2. Never do anything at the last minute
3. Answer your question in your comfortable English structure rather than making it complex.
4. Use your new passport details to fill in the information
5. There is no need to panic if you don’t get your slots you can try again in June. (unless your classes are starting in July)

Bottom Line

It is normal to feel anxious during this process. It is completely fine. If you need affirmations, talk with someone close to you or write it down in a diary (introvert's savior). Just don’t be hard on yourself.

Part-4 will focus on after your Visa approval, i.e., flight booking, accommodation situation, and packing(only the excitingly stressful part of the whole process).

Thank you for reading!

Master’s Series: Part -1 “Planning for Masters”

Master’s Series: Part-4 “Now what?”