Student Visa

What does typical Career Services Office do in a US University?

(What kind of US University / Colleges give service once you Get admission there)

If you do not know, as the name say they focus on doing many things related to career advancement. This is not universal, but here are typical functions of Career Services:

Help with Resume Preparation
Interview preparation help
One-on-one career advice and resume building
Mock interviews
Internship postings
Job search help
Workshops related to Job search, Networking, Resume preparation, Internships, Interviews, etc
Organizing Job Fairs
Provide Job postings in local area companies to students
Work with companies for campus recruitment of students
Help with access to paid Job databases, Job search information.
Help students with the career prospects related to their major.

Below is some good conversion / Faq.

Is MS/MBA in US one year or Two years or more? Can you graduate early?

How long is MS or MBA program in US ? How many Classes or Years ?

Just to clarify, it is not the length(i.e., how long you study) of the program that determines the degree, it is the number of classes that you take in the program that determines the completion of program to graduate. It is up to you how long you take to graduate. Schools in US let you graduate anywhere from 1 year to 8 years. Some students just do classes part time one class a semester.  Some students are aggressive and they take 12 credits a semester and take all 3 semesters to complete 36 credits and graduate exactly in a year. In fact, for my MBA program, I followed the same strategy and am graduating in one year.  Typically, full time students take anywhere from 1 and half years to 2 years to complete coursework. They do not take summer classes, so it will be two falls and two spring terms.

Is the degree valid if you graduate early ? OPT Validity ?  H1B quota ?

Yes, the degree is valid as long as you graduated from an accredited US University. Yes, you will get OPT even if you complete your degree  in One year. Also, Yes you will be counted towards the advanced degree cap if you apply for H1B visa. Also, you can do CPT too when you are studying. The reality is, it would be way too much work load to study 12 credits a semester and can be hard to balance everything. Remember, as an international student you have to maintain GPA of 3.0 to be in status.

What’s the best duration to study and graduate?

There is nothing set on stone. It depends on your goals and capacity. I know students who have taken 12 credits and did very well in Masters, also I know students who could not handle the work load and went out of status as their GPA dropped to below 3.0. If you are coming from other country and it is your first semester, I would not recommend you to hastily take more classes to graduate. Take the minimum number of credits to be enrolled full time and just understand how system works. Once you are comfortable then you can take the call and take extra classes.  Most of the students take anywhere from 1.5 years to 2 years.

TOP best  6 (six)  Reasons Why Studying in the USA is so popular. (Before get admission in USA Colleges / Universities consider this ) On student visa : F1 Visa

Are you looking to aggressively boost your career with a star-studded foreign degree? The number one destination for international students seeking to get a top-notch career edge is currently the United States of America. Do you dream of being a part of this international clan of expert and qualified professionals, who are well respected worldwide? If yes, then here’s something that you might want to consider. What are the factors that make the US, the number one educational hub for international students? #1. Commitment to Excellence -- One of the highest selling points of American education is perhaps its worldwide reputation of commitment to excellence. Only the best students around the world are admitted to the top schools in the US, where quality education is imparted to them by an expertly trained faculty. This quality education is thereby upheld year after year and the degrees that students attained in the US are not just widely recognized and accepted, but also widely respected around the world. #2. Brilliant Scope for Research -- If you are inclined toward academic research, the US is your perfect choice for higher education. You can get the opportunity o earn while you learn, when you enroll into an MS/PhD program. Your research grant will help support your personal needs by waiving your tuition and providing you with a stipend, while the intellectual challenges that you will overcome academically will certainly help satisfy your professional appetite. Funding and grants for most research projects at the university are obtained from either the federal government or reputed multinational corporations in the industry. #3. Academic Flexibility – You will soon discover that the education system in the US is a lot different from your home country. The US education system offers a kind of flexibility in terms of the courses that are offered, which enables you select your choice of subject from a variety of topics. You can now specialize in the area of your choice without having to take any unnecessary classes. You also have the flexibility to choose a class at any time during the academic year, since the some courses are offered multiple times during the academic year. The quarterly or semester system gives you a flexibility to complete your academic program at your own pace and take additional time on a research project if required. For instance, if you can complete the total number of courses required for you to graduate, you can finish up your master’s degree within a year.  You can also spread out your course completion schedule in such a manner as to devote more time for research and complete your course in a couple of years. #4. Financial Support – Availability of financial aid is another major incentive for international students to opt for higher education in the US.  Most universities offer its students grants, loans and stipends to cover their daily expenses as well as tuition in some cases. University assistantship is provided on the basis of merit rather than financial need.  If you can prove your excellence in academics, then your US education may even turn out to be free.  Otherwise, obtaining grants and loans from banks is also easy if you can provide proof of your admission. On-campus work programs are also available for students who qualify for a specific kind of job. For instance, if you have a humanities major, you can seek employment at the library. If you are certified lifeguard, you can work at the Aquatic Center. #5. Lucrative Job Opportunities –  On completion of your degree, you are legally authorized to work in the US in your related field for about a year. You need to apply for Optional Practical Training Employment Authorization (OPT). Most international students get inducted into the company that hires them during their OPT period, by sponsoring their H1-B or work visa. The H1-B work visa is usually granted by employers if they are hiring international students in specialty areas such as software, engineering, accountancy, teaching or marketing. Once your employer grants your H1-B, you are allowed to work in the US without returning to your home country. #6. Value Addition and Cultural Enhancement – Around 30 percent of all international students in the world study in the US. So, as an international student, you will have the unique privilege to interact with a lot of people from a lot of different nationalities. This exposure will not only enhance your cultural and artistic faculties, but will also help you learn a lot more about the world. The exciting cultural exchange and international diversity will certainly enrich your life both personally and academically. Your new friends will be your new family.

USA: STUDENT VISA (F-1)

To enter the United States as a student, you must apply at a US Embassy or Consulate for a student visa. You are  required to make an appointment in India to apply for a visa. You can apply for a visa only after you receive the requisite I-20 or IAP-66 form from the institution you have been accepted to. The information outlined below is designed to help you understand the visa process.

Types of Visa ( For students )

There are mainly two types of student visas:

F-1 (Student Visa). The F-1 visa is for full-time students enrolled in an academic or language program. F-1 students may stay in the US for the full length of their academic program plus 60 days. F-1 students must maintain a full-time course load and complete their studies by the expiration date listed on the I-20 form.

J-1 (Exchange Visitor Visa). The J-1 visa is issued for students needing practical training that is not available in their home country to complete their academic program. The training must be directly related to the academic program. The J-1 visa obligates the student to return to their home country for a minimum of two years after the end of their studies in the US before being eligible to apply for an immigrant (permanent residence) visa.

The rules and regulations governing the entrance of all international students into the United States are complicated and should be properly looked into before applying for a visa.

Visa Application Procedure

Applicants should apply at the consular section of the American Embassy any working day, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8:30 and 10:00 AM.

Documents required are :

• Valid Passport
• One Passport size photograph (Black and White or Color)
• A Non-immigrant Visa Application (Form 156) available from the Consular section.
• Form I-20 executed by the authorizing official of institution concerned, signed by the applicant.
• Evidence of financial ability to cover the costs of the education and maintenance involved
• Visa fee to be paid in Indian Rupees by Bank Draft      

 When to apply:

An applicant may apply for a student Visa not earlier than 90 days before the registration date specified on the FORM I-20. If the registration date is already passed or the applicant cannot reasonably expect to arrive at the school by the registration date, the applicant should obtain an amended I-20 or a letter of extension from the issuing institution stating by what date the applicant may arrive.

After the Completed application forms along with the documents are submitted;

In most cases, the visa will be issued within a few hours or days of the submission of the application. In some instances, the process may take longer depending on the time of year, consular caseload or other factors.

If your application is denied, you should ask the Consular Officer for a "written denial decision." This will provide you with the official reason for your visa denial.

• Your total personal annual income
• Total annual income of your Parents
• Your average annual living expenses
• Some details of you and your parents' assets
• Sources of funding for your education other than from the University