Optimizing Your Application Process for Best Chance for a US Visa
Usually one of the first questions that comes up in my initial conversations with students is their concern about getting their F-1 student visa. While there is a lot of steps between deciding to study in the United States and the visa application, it is good to keep the end goal in mind. After all, if you don’t get the visa, it doesn’t matter what university you were admitted.
Here are a few tips to think about as you go through the process.
English Proficiency
A lot of students look for universities that have low TOEFL or IELTS requirement and love options where you can just show a ‘Medium of Instruction’ certificate. I understand that it can be tough to attain a strong score for more competitive courses, but a good score will help your chances of getting a visa. So don’t take a short cut, prepare and take either test and get a solid overall score and bands.
Standardized Testing
Same logic applies to standardized testing. While most universities have made standardized test such as the SAT, ACT, GRE and GMAT optional, they are still a great benchmark that helps universities understand your academic ability. For visa officers, they like to know that students have been planning seriously and invested in the best university options possible. So it is good to take a standardized test and if you don’t do well, then you don’t have to report it, BUT the government will likely note that you gave it a shot and add that to their consideration.
Number of Applications
It is a common practice among high-volume consultancies to just have you their candidates apply to one or two universities where they get an attractive commission. A student that isn’t particular about their universities are okay with that – they just want ‘in.’ What the US embassy recommends is that student apply to at least five universities. The tried and true strategy of “dream, match, safety” is ‘tried and true’ for a reason and usually results in the best outcome for applicants. So even if you have a top pick, it’s a good idea to apply to more . Who knows, you might find a better deal with an option you hadn’t really considered before.
University Selection
Once you have all of your admits in hand, one of the factors you should take into consideration is the visa rejection rate. Sometimes universities with relaxed admissions requirements will have students enroll to get their visa and then transfer to a different program. The US government doesn’t look kindly on such transfers and will scrutinize student visa applications for such institutions in greater detail. Why put that cloud of doubt over your own application if you can avoid it. Universities are usually willing to tell you that number, and if they aren’t, it probably is an indicator that it is low.
Financials
The question that every visa officer will ask in every interview is “How do you plan to pay for your education?” The US only cares about cash. A certified accountant letter or fixed assets have no role in the calculation. There is also this misconception that all the money has to be in one account with one person. What they are looking for is money consistently in the accounts that you are showing them. They want to see that the money has been set aside. Going or a loan? They love that too but the process of getting one can take forever so try to lay the groundwork with your bank well in advance of the I-20 being in your hand.
Fit to the Program – If you are coming for a civil engineering background and now you want to do a program in data analytics, you need to make sure you narrative fits. Why do you want to pursue this totally different degree and what actions have you taken to affect that transition. Taking serious short courses, reputed online courses (perhaps that university you are attending, taking up internships and working in the sector can be very helpful in convincing a visa officer you are genuine in your desire to switch tracks. If you are in the same field you want to study, be sure you can explain what new skills and knowledge you want to learn and why they will advance your career.
Visa officers are looking for a coherent picture that shows a students consistent effort towards the advancement of the academic and future goals. For a genuine student that doesn’t start at the point of admission – it has been in the works for a long time. Make sure that shows through in your profile and your narrative and you are likely to get rewarded with a, “your visa is approved.”
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About The Author
Sheldon Wallbrown
Creative Aspirations, Head of Admissions & University Relations Sheldon have over two decades working in education in both the United States and India. He has worked with hundreds of students find the educational opportunities that are right for them.