04/12/2024
Visa Type: F1
Visa Priority: Emergency
Interview Date: 3rd December
Visa Status: Refused
Scheduled Time: 9:30 AM (interview started at 10:30 AM)
Intended University: A mid/low-tier Liberal Arts College
Intended Major: Bachelors of Science in Applied Economics (minor in Data Science)
Scholarship: $53,000
Deficit: $17,000, including indirect costs of $4,000 (if I cut indirect costs, I only need to pay $13,000 to the college)
Documents Checked: Appointment confirmation, passport, and I-20
Documents Carried: Appointment confirmation, DS-160 confirmation, I-20, passport, EBL payment slip, bank statement & solvency, all academic transcripts, expedited letter, offer letter, NID, and four 2x2 photos
Interview Duration: 3–4 minutes (conversation lasted 40–50 seconds)
Conversation with the VO
Me: Good morning, Officer. How are you doing today?
VO: (Didn’t look at me) Pass me your I-20 and passport.
Me: Sure, here you go. (I then asked) Can I put my file here?
VO: Sure.
Me: Thank you.
VO: So, why this college?
Me: I chose *** College for their Economics faculty, led by Professor *****, who is well-known for his work in Development Economics. I have also been awarded their prestigious $53,000 scholarship, which covers almost all my tuition. Additionally, their club activities align well with my previous work.
VO: How many colleges did you apply to?
Me: I applied to 10 colleges through the Common App and got accepted into 8 of them.
VO: Who will pay for the rest of the deficit?
Me: Alongside my scholarship, both my parents will sponsor my education. They have already saved $90,000 for my higher studies.
VO: What do they do?
Me: Explained my parents’ professions.
VO: Do you have any relatives in the US?
Me: Yes, Officer. My grandmother and aunt on my father’s side live there.
VO: His tone changed. He went to another employee and returned after 1–2 minutes. What were your top three colleges?
Me: (I made a mistake here and mentioned three colleges, excluding the one I’m planning to attend.)
VO: Stared at me for 10 seconds- Sorry, I can’t approve your visa this time. (He handed me the 214B refusal leaflet.)
Me: Okay, Officer.