visa questions 1

VISA FALL 2005(for the month of may and june)

From: "manishdahiya81"

VO: Which university

VO: Why this university

VO: How many universities

VO: why USA

VO: What are you doing

VO: How you will be financing your studies

VO: Who is paying for your education

VO: Show me financial statements

VO: What is he doing

VO: Why you will be returning to your business if your father is

paying for you

VO: Show me test score

VO: show me your marksheets

VO: what is your family income

VO: Show me the IT returns

VO: ok again last one who is funding you

Vo: Then could you rely on your partners for being fair with you.

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From: "hershey30781"

VO: Please pick up the phone

VO: A very good morning to you..hope you're doing good.

Me: I'm doing great..hope you are too.

VO: So..you're Miss. Shah, right?

Me: Yes, that's right.

VO: Tell me about your undergrad work..

Me: (Did so)

VO: about your masters?

Me: (Did so);

VO: Describe what you want to do at PSU

Me: (Spoke about my program and the kind of extension work i want to

do)

VO: Wow..that's impressive..Keep talking..

Me: Blabbed on...

VO: Okie..who's sponsoring you?

Me: The University

VO: cracked some funny joke about how that could be 'dangerous'

(don't ask me what he meant..i'm as clueless as you are!!)

Me: (Befuddled smile)

VO: okie..i can't issue your visa right now coz of the 90 day

rule..but i'm gonna give you a piece of paper..come anytime after

friday (that's wen i enter the 90-day period) and collect your visa.

Me: Thanks a lot!

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From: "kc_moulee"

VO: ur pink token please

me:Good mornin..how are u??(handin it)

VO: Im fine thanx....how are u doin Sir??

me: Im doin great...perfect

VO:Mechanical Engineering....

me:yes sir

VO:Oklahoma State...( almost talkin to himself)

Me:yeah

VO:wat are u doin thesedays??

me:im presently workin with my professor on a tech paper

told him in detail as if im the smartest engineer around

in India and the world needs my work to be published!!!!

(this was only chance to talk technical bullshit....i

wasnt lying abt it but only using superlative adjectives)

VO: wats the paper on??.....whers the conference?

me: told him....conf is in lausanne,switzerland

Vo:oh switzerland!!!! thats a nice place...why dont u go there??

( i thought my visa is rejected fr sure)

me: actully the college is sponsorin my prof not me....( he then gave

a big smile....(i was relieved...it was also the first time he

looked at me...i understood he was pulling my leg)....Sir when ill

come back to india ill come via switzerland

VO: (almost laughin)...have u ever travelled abroad?

me: (smiling) no sir

Vo: so its ur first trip to US??

me: yes sir ( later I realised tat if ive never gone abroad then it

must be my first trip to US!!!)

VO; sir i cant give u ur visa today but u can come anyday aftre 25th

may without an appointment and get it...congrats...

me: thank u sir...bye

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From: sourabh joshi

ME: Good afternoon

VO :What is your birth date:

ME 13 april 1983

VO: What is your age? (unexpected question?)

ME 22 years

VO: What are you doing since last year after your

graduation?

ME working ... and told details

VO: in which field you want to specialise?

ME my topic and adviser is not yet decided it will b

decide when i will go there adn meet faculty and

depeding on availabilities of projects.

VO : finacial aid?

ME yes i m having full financial aid

VO what are your parents?

ME: told the details

VO: So, you are workign in NCL, what are you working

on?

ME told the details?

VO : I m issueing you visa but u have to come again

after 15th MAY for getting it stamped.

ME Is my VISA granted? Why shud i coem after 15th?

VO due to 90 days rule

ME OK Thank you v much

This was my exp.

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From: Swetha Balla

I got into Illinois Inst of Tech (IIT) with 40% tuition waiver.

Me: Good morning sir

VO: Good morning, how are doing?

Me: I am doing fine, how are you doing?

VO: Good

VO: Okay, does IIT stand for Indian Inst of Tech (and a smile)

Me: No sir, it stands for Illinois Inst of Tech (and another smile)

VO: Just a smile

VO: You have 40% waiver, you look like a good student, but I'll have a look

at your certificates nevertheless

Me: (Hands over BTech, Inter and 10th)

VO: Hmm, where is this IIIT (I graduated from International Inst of Tech

Hyderabad)

Me: It's a relatively new inst started in 1998

(VO goes in to check if IIIT Hyderabad is a genuine inst or not!)

VO: Sorry for keeping you waiting .. new college, new degree. Wanted to

verify

Me: Not a problem sir

VO: Standardised test scores you gave to get into

Me: (hand over GMAT and TOEFL score sheets)

VO: Hmm, okay good! I can't issue your visa right nwo due to the 90 day rule

.. you'll get it once that is over by post!

Me: Thanx a lot sir and have a nice day

VO: you too have a nice day

The guy was very pleasant and shud be in his 25's probably .. a young and

mischevious guy :)

Regards,

Swetha

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From: Udai Bishnoi

1. Admits : Stanford , Columbia , Duke , CMU

2. Reject : Cornell

Aid : No Aid (except in CMU)

I20 : I didnt want to spend money getting all the i20s

so gave the admission fees only for Columbia .

Program : MSFE (1 year)

INterview time : 9:45 - 10 AM

COnsulate : Chennai .

My interview :

I : Good Morning

VO : No reply

I : Good Morning

VO : Ya good morning , How are you

I : I am great , how about U ?

VO : Fine , Where are you going

I : GOing to Columbia .

VO : (while seeing my i20) Oh Columbia ! great . Do

you know what is Ivy league .

I : Yes .

VO : And you know Columbia is one of them

I : Yes

VO : 25L fees , How are you gonna pay it .

I : My parents have been working since last 20 years

and they would be studying ..oops .. I mean funding me

ad\nd Myself .

Vo : what does your fater do .

I : he is Mangager in Finance ...(cuts me in between)

VO : and You ?

I : I have been working ofr last 3 years . I have

worked at Infosys and SAP . and ..

VO ; you will get your visa ..... and after that he

said something I couldnt hear . I was distracted by

another VO on my left side shouting on something

VO : you cant ake your i20 and enjoy .

I : Thanks a lot . It would be really a great

experience .

and I leave . I was out by 11AM .

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From: "RITESH BAFNA"

Subject: Got Visa - Univ of Iowa

Me: Good Morning Mam !

VO: Good Morning ( without any zeal). Please close the door!

Me: Sure!

VO: So, what are u gonna study in Univ of Iowa?

ME:( I heard " U r going to Univ of Iowa"). Yes Mam

VO: What are u goona study there?

Me: Othopaedic Biomechanics

VO: What???

Me: Othopaedic Biomechanics

VO: Ortho...What???

Me: Ortho....paedic.... Bio...Mechanics. ( this lady wasnt able

to get my pronunciation properly may be. SO i had to break it

properly)

VO: Ohh Orthopeeeeeedic Biomechanics

Me: Yes mam !

VO: When did u graduate?

Me: 2003

VO: What have u been doing since then??

Me: Working in ABC since then.

VO: U already have a visa !

Me: Yes mam, H1

VO: So have u traveled to US?

Me: No Mam

VO: Since when have u been working in ABC?

Me: Since 21 months.

Vo: But u said u have been working in XYZ !

Me: Mam, I said I am working with ABC.

VO: Ok

VO: What will do do after ur MS

Me: I will come back to India and start my own consultancy firm to help people suffering from orthopaedic disoorders and to hospitals as well.

VO: What are ur parents doing?

Me: Dad is ABC, Mom XYZ

VO: ( She started doing something in her PC. Before that she

Cancelled my H1 Visa with a "Cancelled" stamp on my visa. At this

point i was sure that I have got my Visa !! :-))

VO: So i am going to issue visa, u will get ur...

Me: Thanks a lot mam....

VO: ...passport in 2 days by courier

Me: Thanks a lot mam, Have a nice day !!!

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From: "itsundu"

1. Gud Morning. How do you do?

2. Why this University?

3. What were you dng since 2003?

4. Why do you want to leave your current JOB and do MS?

5. Tell me abt your family. (Even though my sis is studying on

F1, I didn¡¦t HIDE¡K I suggest you too not to HIDE any details.)

6. Show me your Bank Statements.

7. What this line means in your Bank PASSBOOK? How did you get

this X laks? ( I suggest you all to plz go thro all documents that

you carry ¡K

8. ok wait ... We can issue your VISA only b4 90 days (i.e

roughly around 25-27th it will be couriered. )

9. Have a gr8 Trip. All the Best.

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From: susmitha

vo:why do u want to go to US

me: to do my masters in compu5ter science.

VO: do u have your bachelors degree

me: I just wrote my final sem exams and I am awaitng the results

vo:Can you give me your marksheets

me:I handed over the marksheets

vo:want do you want to do after you get your degree

me: I will come back and join an MNC like Wipro.

vo: You will get your visa and passport in three days!!!!!!!!!

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From: mayuri gothe

VO: Hi where do u wan tto study in the US?

ME:Hello ma'am..in the university of Texas at Austin

VO: have you ever been to the US?

ME: no maam

VO:Have you been to any other country?

ME: No maam, this is my first chance

VO: what do your parents do?

ME: my dad is......and my mom is .....

VO: what is their annual income?

ME: .......

VO:Looking at some paper.....tell me about your previous visa

application..(guys i had a previous rejected visa in november 2004,

for tourist visa)thats why worried..

ME: maam i had applied for a tourist visa last year, i did my

Medical course here which was a five and half year long study and

hard work. so i wanted to go for a nice trip.

VO: u wanted to give some exam there?

ME: yes mam..i wanted to take the CSA as well

VO: (was lookingat my I 20)What is your UG degree here

ME: Maam i have done my MBBS ..(was still looking at I20 and reading

it) so i continued..from Seth GS medical coll and KEM hospital..its

a medical degree in india

VO: do u have any scholorship from Austin?

ME: yes maam, i have the fellowship award from the university.

VO: how will u pay the living expenses

ME: (i was really worried..coiz it was written taht all expenses are

covered) maam i have the fellowship award that covers all my exenses

VO: no. it doesnt cover all expenses. the US is very expensive to live.

ME: maam i also have a teaching assistanceship

VO: can i have your letter oif offer from the university?

ME; Yes maam..gave it quickly

VO: returned I 20 and letter of offer..your visa is approved. u will

get your pp in few days.

ME: THANK YOU MAAM! THANK YOU SO MUCH!

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From: John Daniel

Interview Date-13-May-05

Time-12.40 PM

Experience-Tough

status-Granted

ME- Good afternoon sir...How r u doing today ?

VO- Good..Thank u...how 'bout ya?

ME-I am good too...

VO-R u tensed?

ME-No sir,Do i look so?

VO- a little

ME-Looks can be deceiving sir.

VO-good

VO-so u r Mr. Jophy Jose?

ME-Yes Sir

VO-Have I pronounced ur name correctly ?

ME-Yes sir

VO-Can u pass me the red file ?(The poor quality folder which was fiven from the second window containing passport/application forms/sevis receipt and I-20) ?

ME-Sure,Here it is Sir.

VO-Where r u going to ?

ME-Rochester Institute of Technology Sir

VO-Why ?

ME- Blah Blah Blah.....

VO-whcih course do u intend to do there?

ME-Blah Blah Blah

VO-Why not in India ?

ME-Blah Blah Blah..

VO-Can u tell me about VLSI ?

ME-(By this time I had judged that he is technically poor...so I blahed blahed blahed...though i myuself dont know much about VLSI...Rememebr that confidence is what counts)Judge the person well too...I mean if he was technically sound then I was gone....

VO-Who is sponsoring u ?

ME- so and so sir

VO-what financial docs do u have ?

ME-I have the CA statement sir...

VO-Anything more solid?

ME-anything u wanna see sir....I have the affidavit fo support..I have the bank statement...passbooks...

VO-ok ok ok....thats fine....

VO-where else did u apply to?

ME-Blah blah blah

VO- Whcih compnay r u working in now ?

ME-So and so Sir

VO-Describe ur work ?

ME-Blah Blah Blah

VO-Can I see ur experience certificates?

ME-Sure sir..here they are....

(He reads them carefully and I wait outside like a Lamb taken to be slaughtered)

VO-Can u excuse me for a minute??

ME-Sure sir...

(He gulps a glass of cold water....while I stand gazing at the glass very thirstly from outside)

(He returns with a refreshed mood....and my tension burns me within)

VO-ok...tell me about ur undergraduation?

ME-told about my undergraduation and included about my project/Seminars...fav subjects and stuff...

(He listened with great interest....lots of stamina.....huh!!!!)

VO-Can i see ur Transcipts?

ME-Yes sir...here they are...

(He looks at me carefully...and I at him.....)

VO-Hey..u have a piercing?

(I have my left ear pierced....what a scrutinisation Man !!!!!)

I smile at him and he at me.....(My innerself tells me that work is done...but still lil tensed)

VO-I am sorry....(looks at me)...(I am puzzled)

and then he continues....

VO-I am sorry..as per US rules..I cannot grant u the visa right now....but..(the ground moves from beneath my feet)...as I wait for the good news he is about to blah blah....and then he continues...

VO-U will get ur passport in the first week of june as ur class starts on 26-July and u r above the 90 day period....

ME-Thank you sir...Have a great day.....

VO-Congratulations...Have a good stay in America.

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From: "m_sha742"

University: North dakota State University (90% aid )

GRE: 1120

TOEFL: 257

The interview lasted for less than a minute.

Vo: Good Morning, for r u today?

me: Fine, How r u?

Vo: Very fine, thank you for asking!

me: my pleasure!

Vo: North Dakota State, Its freezing cold man, u dont want to go

there.

me: Yes i heard -18c during winter, but i would love to go there

VO: Why?

me: Good research

VO expalin

me: Univ doing this and that etc

Vo: No. What will u do there?

me: want to continue work on my final year project

Vo: Ok sir u do that. I'll give u visa u'll receive it in a day or

two, Best of Luck!

me: thankyou.

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From: "saumyaprabhat"

me: good morning sir

v.o good morning, asked for the file (the one with passport, ds forms

i -20, sevis receipt)

v.o(looked at my passport) - you recent have got ur h1b, why do u

want an F1 visa

me: explained that i want to do my doctorate and the reason for the

same

v.o in that case i will hace to cancel ur h1b

me: that is fine sir

vo.what will you do after you doctorate

me: want to be an academics and contribute towards understanding of

research issues.

v.o sure you look like doctorate candidate, sir, you have got 4 eyes

(i was wearing glasses) - laughed

me: smiled

v.o why this univ

me blah blah

v.o your passport will reach you in 3 working days

me thank you sir

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From: "samudrala Gopikrishna" samudrala_g@yahoo.co.in

Vo: ( rejected visa to the girl standing before me.

She’s also from my home town-vijayawada)

May I have the next person please?

Me: hello officer

Vo: hello, may I have the folder.. put ur left index

finger on the red square…now the right index finger

Ok, which school ru going to?

Me: univ Alabama at Birmingham

Vo: and y is that?

Me: the research interests of the proff. Of the univ.

match with those of mine

Vo: what exactly ru going to do there?

Me: Ph.D. in physics, condensed matter physics is the

area I want to concentrate on

Vo: condensed matter physics hmmm.. what r the

applications of that field?

Me: let me give u an example-knowledge about this

field is necessary to create solids with the qualities

that we want. For example solids have been created

which are light in weight but can sustain large

amounts of stress forces. We’re using them in

aeroplane wings or for that matter in artificial limbs

as well!

Vo: what’s ur % in masters

Me: 63%

Vo: let me see ur marks sheets….and ur undergrad % is?

Me: 85%

Vo: let me see those marks sheets as well…and ur

degree certificate that’s what I want to see

Vo: where did u do ur maters degree?

Me: Bhopal

Vo: and ur undergrad ?

Me: in vijayawada, my home town

Vo: where is that?

Me: Andhra pradesh:

Vo: let me see ur gre&toefl scores……

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*From:* "manishdahiya81"

My interview:

VO: Which university

VO: Why this university

VO: How many universities

VO: why USA

VO: What are you doing

VO: How you will be financing your studies

VO: Who is paying for your education

VO: Show me financial statements

VO: What is he doing

VO: Why you will be returning to your business if your father is

paying for you

VO: Show me test score

VO: show me your marksheets

VO: what is your family income

VO: Show me the IT returns

VO: ok again last one who is funding you

Vo: Then could you rely on your partners for being fair with you.

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From: suds

Woh: Hi, Hows it going

Woh: What are you going to do in the US

Woh: Whats your age?

Woh: When did you graduate?

Woh: So what were you doing all this while

Main: Working with...blah...blah....

Woh: Who's funding your education?

Main: Family funds

Woh: Any relatives in the US?

Main: A cuz in California

Woh: Which other univs did you receive?

Main: Blah....blah....

Woh: Alrite then i'm going to issue you your visa and you will get you passport shortly

Main: WOW! Thats super cool!

Woh: Hahahaha....all the best!

From: "Arunan"

VO: Where are u going?

App1 : ..( can't remember what he said..)

VO: Hand me the file ... (the one in which the

DS forms and other things are..TT Serv. file)he guy handed over.. and

was in conversation..

The red glowing plastic matchbox like gadget

was used to get the left and right index finger imprints.

after sometime.. I hear again..

VO: When did you graduate?

App1: July 2004.

VO: asks something about his work .. and

something else...

App1: He was working in blah blah for past ten

months.. or something

VO: What is your percentage? Show me your

GRE/TOEFL and Transcripts..

App1: 56%

VO: You have backlogs?

Didn't hear what happened next.. my heart was

racing.. I had 2 backlogs but I was safe with 80% academic aggregate.

Most probably this one was rejected.. because I

don't know why.. I thought though that he stuttered while answering

and was not confident enough.

Applicant 2 was more confident and had some 67%

acads and I think better answers than his

predecessor because he got the visa.

I was most sorry for the guy in front of me.. he

was coming for the 6th time.. and I was there to witness the drama. As

before the VO asked for his academic marks.. his was also..some 57%.

And he talked quite confidently, than he must have done in his

previous interviews. He told he wanted to get into the US, where only

% is not important, since he himself had secured admissions with good

GRE, TOEFL and a nice SOP (that's what he said.) And he also said

confidently that he would study well and his parents are supportive

and all.. But, the VO

just looked at him, and said.. "5 times my colleagues have sent you

back.. and you yet came

back with the same answers.. I expect some .. blah blah (I don't

remember)" Then there was

a serious altercation.. the guy asked "please give 1 min. to hear me

out." VO replied." Sorry

your interview is over.. I advise you to apply to the UK, Australia or

New Zealand. Stop it!

Stop it.! (as the applicant kept interrupting as he was advising

him..) you can go now sir." Then after 5 minutes of serious argument

the poor guy left saying "Have a good day. Thanks for Your Advise

SIR!!" sarcastically and stomped off.

ME.. ME.. MINE.. My interview..

Then.. suddenly I realised I was on next.. He

just waves his hand at me and I go with my file. I cleverly insert

the GRE/TOEFL and transcript into the TT Services file since I am sure

by now that he is going to ask that for sure.

Started by 10:13 and ended by 10:15 :-

lasted 1 minute and 45 seconds.. approx

VO: Give me that file...

Me: Good morning!! ( insert the TT services

file in through the small gap )..

VO: Place your left index finger on the red

light.. ( I do as he says.. and see my left index finger shivering..

maybe its the cold I reassure myself.)

VO: Place the right one now.. (I place it this

time more confidently taking a deep breath.. but I suppose there was a

problem.. he asked me to place it again.)

VO: Which univ. are you going to ?

Me: University of Illinois at Chicago (Notice

that I did not use "Sir")

VO: When did you graduate?

Me: Just this year. I wrote my final exams only

last month.

VO: Which course are you going to?

Me: MS in Computer Science.

VO: Were there other universities that you

applied to?

Me: Yes.

VO: What are they?

Me: Michigan Technological University,

University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, Michigan State University,

University of Texas at Austin, University of Ut... ( he cut me short

here..)

VO: Other than UIC which univs did you get admits?

Me: Only Michigan Tech.

VO: Why did you choose UIC out of your other

admits?

Me: (thought for 2 seconds) and replied,

because of my speciality Computer Graphics.. and it has very good

research labs like the Computer Vision and Robotics Lab, Electronic

Visualization Lab and the Michigan.. sorry.. Multimedia Systems Lab.

VO: What is your percentage?

Me: 80% (strongly)

VO: You had any backlogs?

Me: Yes. 2.

VO: In which year?

Me: In my 2nd and 3rd (actually 1st yr and

2nd.. but, I said that in a hurry.. but confidently) year.

VO: Why did you have backlogs?

(This is where I DID NOT have a

prepared answer.. guys beware of this qns.. if you are my case with

backlogs.)

Me: (Out of sheer animal instinct) They were a

bit tough...

VO: (surprised..) Tough.. If you find these

tough how will you study in the US?

Me: At first they were .. I made it up for the

first time by scoring high marks the second time around (couldn't

believe I was saying this.. I had not prepared for this qns.) You can

see that is reflected in my percentage 80%.

VO: Who is financing your studies?

Me: My parents.

VO: What does your father do?

Me: They both are doctors.. (realising he

asked only father.. altered my answer) My father is a doctor.

VO: I'm sorry..

Me: Just a surprised expression and a blank

look.. at his face..

VO: I can't issue the visa RIGHT NOW.. since

lemme explain..

Me: What?

VO: hear me out..

Me: Yes..

VO: Since your classes start only on August

22nd, due to the 90 day rule, I cannot issue the VISA now, your

Passport and VISA will reach your home address in June first week.

Now, take the documents and GO!

Me: Thanks a lot. and I take all the docs

that he doesn't need (I-20 & marksheets, he kept my passport with him)

and put it back into the file and got out.. with a spring in my step..

10:20 AM: I was Out.. Out ... and had finally got the VISA

..!!! Hurray!!

From: Prahlad Vaidyanathan

1. Why do you want to go to the US?

2. What is your area of interest? Explain it.

3. Where have you studied here in India? (Masters and Bachelors)

4. What have you studied here?

5. Did you apply to other colleges? What happened to those apps?

6. Who is going to fund your studies?

From: Lipna Chowdhury

VO: Why u've chosen Binghamton?

Me: As its one of the top uni for Grid Computing and my fireld of interest is Grid Compu..

VO: Why u've become interseted in Grid?

Me: My final year thesis was on so n so.....

VO: Show me ur marksheets

Me: gave thm.

VO: Why ur certificate is provisional?

Me: As our convocation hasnt been taken place yet.

VO: U applied anywhere else?

Me: Ya 5 others in Uni name: NJIT, UTA, IIS, UTK,IIT

VO: anywhere else outside US?

ME: YA 4 in CA

VO: Nowhere in Bangladesh

Me: no

VO: did u alpply for any financial support at Binhamton?

Me: No.

VO: Show me ur father's bank statement

Me: gave the cert n transactn n employment cert. n told him my fathe hv FDR...

VO: i dnt need them

VO: Give me ur I-20(original)

Me: gave it

VO: whats ur future plan after MS?

Me: As I am a lecturer of stamford Uni n am taking leve from here now I wish to teach Grid when i come back as this subj hasnt ben introduced in our country yet n i want to make a group of it.

At that moment the VO was writting the date of taking passport in the token...I was wondering whether i really got Visa or not.

Then he told me to get passport n visa on 23rd may.

Guys, though i've got the visa i'm not 100% confirmed yet as I havn't received the passport yet. Hope it won't happen that when i go to get the passport i'm refused to givevisa :-( pray for me....

From: "Raja Sekhara Reddy Pallela"

Me: good after noon sir, tea break?

Vo :ya(with a smile on his face)

Vo: give me the file(gave him the file with the ds forms and i20)

Vo: so why suny b

Me: Watson school of engg is a old and well established school and

there r 4 professors working in my domain of interest.

Vo: what is ur area of interest

Me: networks

Vo why networks

Me: blah blah blah and in India computerization of offices has just

started and will be in an expansion phase so I fell I will have

better prospects after i come back after ms

Vo :give me ur academic certificates

Vo: so u don't have a course in India on networks and why only us?

Me: Indian system doest have practical approach and look for other

possibilities like Australia us uk, and then I decided us as my

place of interest coz the system followed offers quality education,

helps a student to have a practical approach and also I will get

familiar with global culture.

Vo :who is going to financially support u?

Me: my parents they have an income of a xyz

Vo: give me u r bank papers

Me :only the bank papers or the entire financial documents?(coz I

kept the all to a clip and its very tight to remove).

Vo: give me the entire thing I will have look

Vo: (going through the documents) what do ur parents do?

Me: told the entire thing and explained the figures as per the ca

statement?

(He returned me all the documents kept the pass port and is typing

some thing in the comp)

vo:u will get ur pass port in a couple of weeks coz of the 90 day

rule

me: thank you sir

From: pavani nettem

hai everybody.i am pavani nettem.i did B.C.A and late M.Sc(Information systems) from N.U. i am from vijayawada. i going to Louisiana at Lafayette.

for MS in CS.

thank u for u r help. my interview is on 20th may. at 8.30am.

me: hai sir, good morning.how r u?

vo:with a cute smile,hi,good morning,how r u?

me: fine, thank u.

vo: what is u r bachelor degree?

me: B.C.A.,and i did masters too.

vo: masters too--.

me:yes

vo: where?

me: here in india. from NU A.P

vo:ok.show me u r masters degree certificate?

me: i have showed.

vo: ok., why r u planning to do another masters degree?

me: here i did Msc. it is not equavalent to Ms. it is 3+2 years of education after +2. it is my ambition to do Ms. my parents encourage me a lot.

in our family none did Ms. if i can, i will be the first person.it is my parents wish too.

vo:smiled . and said ok. u will get u r visa and passport within 3 weeks.

me. thank u.

From: "sheetal"

ME: good afternoon sir

VO: good afternoon madam, can I have the folder.

I pushed in the folder containing the I20, ds forms, sevis fee and

passport.

VO: we will now start with your finger prints (smiled), Put your left

index finger on that and then the right one.

ME: did that

VO: which course are u planning to go for?

ME: masters in computer science

VO: which university?

ME: Lamar University.

VO: who suggested this university?

ME: One of the professors in my college here and I have also asked

few seniors, they advised me to opt for this university.

VO: what seniors?

ME: Seniors at Lamar University.

VO: so, have u given your exams?

ME: yes sir, one month ago

VO: can I have your bachelors mark sheets?

ME: sure sir. (Handed him the marks sheets)

Looked at few of them and returned them back to me.

VO: We cannot issue the visa (huh! I got scared like hell) until 28

th of this month (phew! Thank god!). I will keep your I20 and

passport with me and your visa will be posted after 28 th may.

ME: thanq sir. Have a nice weekend.

From: "Ravi Sekhar"

VO-So you are going to Lehigh?

Self-Yes sir.

VO-How are you going to fund yuur studies?

Self-Blah,Blah

VO-OK.You will get your Visa in couple of days.

Self-Thank you.

From: Venu G Maroju

ME: Good morning sir, How are you?

VO: Give me your documents. When did u graduate?

ME:April 2004 sir

VO:Wat hav u been soing since then?

ME: I took up a course in UNIX Administration and later worked as FACULTY.

VO:wat were ur duties?

ME: Teaching C,C++,LINUX/SOLARIS basics.

VO: Why did u quit?

ME:I wanted to go for higher studies in my field.

VO: Why this university?

ME:I wud like to be associated with the research work being done over there.

VO:give me your memos.

then she starts checking the memos and counting them too ( 6 backlogs)

then he picks up the degree certificate and observes the hologram on it.

VO:how do you explain your backlogs?

ME: I was doing projects and technical paper reviews. Wud you like to see the certificates. at this point he was seeing my scores (GRE : 500+770, TOEFL : 263)

VO: no its not necessary

...guess he was satisfied with the scores...

VO: whos is funding you

ME: my parents

VO: wat does ur father do for a living

ME: he is working as senior technical officer in ECIL

VO:how much does he earn?

ME: 3 lacs per annum.

VO: do u plan to take educational loan?

ME: no, Iam having savings in my bank.

VO:ur passport will be mailed to you in 2 days

ME: thank you sir hav a nice day.

------------------------------------

From: "Abhilash Reddy"

Me= hello, how r u

V.O= i am fine, thanx

V.O= My USA

Me= To my MS in IE form Clemson

V.O= oh! Clemson then u must hav got high scores

Me= yes i did

V.O= y tat Branch

Me= Blah--Blah

V.O= ru working, where

Me= In TATA MOTORS

V.O= its a gud company, y do ya wanna leave

Me= ( i told reason)

V.O= ok

V.O= show me ur Engg. mark sheets and GRE score report

Me= i showed.

V.O= wat was ur 3rd year and 4th year %

Me= 82% and 80% respectively.

V.O= whos sponsering u

Me= my dad, mom.

V.O= wats ur dad

Me= DGM in Andhra bank.

V.O= ok i will send ur Visa and passport in20 days (as i applied b4

90 days)

Me= thanx a lot hav a nice day.

From: srinivas chittoori

VO: Hi.

Me: Good afternoon sir.

VO: Why do u want to go to US?

Me: To do my doctorate in civil engineering at Univ. of Idaho.

VO: Doctorate! Good!

Vo: what are the other univ.’s u have applied for?

Me: I told the other univs.

VO: Why this particular univ?

Me: The research that is going on in this univ interests me. They are presently working on artificial intelligence application in geotechnical engineering.

VO: So you are interested in AI.

Me. Yes sir. (looking into his eyes).

VO: May I see your GRE and TOEFL score reports.

Me: I gave him.

VO: Who is sponsoring you?

Me: My parents.

VO: well, you can go home and you will receive your VISA and passport with in 2-3days through mail.

Me: Thanq sir, thanks a lot.

rekha reddy wrote:

ME:goodafternoon...

VO:hai..

then he checked my details and said so u r REKHA

ME:yaa...

VO:i need to take ur fingerprint scanning...

ME:yaa..i kept my index fingers for scanning...

VO:which university

ME:bowling green state university in ohio

VO:where is it located

ME:i told..

VO:what r u going to join

ME:i am going to pursue master's in computer sciences with networking as specalisation

VO:what is ur father

ME:answered...

VO:what is ur mother

ME:answered...

VO:do u have any brothers or sisters

ME:yaa..i have one elder sister..

VO:what's she doing

ME:told..

VO:u will get ur visa within 2 days...

ME:thanks...

From: arvind kumar

Subject: Visa Experience-Chennai

Dear Group,

UNIV:Univ of Hawaii at manoa

AID: full schol

PGM: Ph.D

VO:which pgm?

myself:Ph.D in the univ of hawaii at manoa

VO: y this univ?

M: The research going on in this univ is in line with wat needs to be a successful bioengineer.

VO:wat research is going on there?

M: Sir, they r generating useful products from biomass...

VO: wat? wat s this biomass?

M: Sir biomass s the waste which we dump as garbage..they have got a patented technology for the Flash carbo...(the VO cuts in here )says..OK OK..

I wait for over 2 min saying..doing nothing..while VO is busy writing something..in yellow slip and enters something in the computer..finally he said

u are going with full aid,best of luck,u wil be getting ur visa in 3 days..

I said Thank u with 1000W smile.

From: "P. Martin Samuel Rao"

Which university are you going to?

How many universities did you apply to?

Why only KSU?

Who is sponsoring your education?

What are your future plans?

From: "gautam_sb"

GRE - 2170 in July 2002

TOEFL - 273 Oct 2003

B.E: Bangalore Univ CS- 2003

Admits: 4 - UTD, VT, USC and NCSU

Rejects: Purdue, Iowa State

Awaited: TAMU

Work Ex: 1 year 7 months from Wipro.

Financial:

And 7lakhs in SB account and 12lakhs Loan

I had the following financial docs:

Bank Statement

Bank Pass book

Loan Sanction Letter

Affiavit of support from my parents and my bro

IT returns of my dad and my bro

Property Evaluation report.

CA certificate.

My brother's salary certificate.

My experience letter

My Salary Certificate.

The financial docs placed in the folder:

Bank Statement

Loan Sanction Letter

Affiavit of support from my parents and my bro

Property Evaluation report.

CA certificate.

Here goes my interview:(I was the first in the queue)

Me: Good afternoon ma'am

VO: no reply..starts looking at the folder..

VO: where is your I-20.

ME: Its on the inside.

VO: Makes grimace as if not happy with the way the docs were

arranged.

Me: Oh god help me!!!!!!!

VO: Why did u choose this school (starts looking at the comp).

Me: Want to concentrate on wireless networking during my masters.

There is lots of research going on in that....(interrrupted)

VO : I dont know about the field you are talking abt.

Me: Full technical funda on Wireless Networking.

VO: Hardly listening to me..looking at the Visa forms and all other

documents. suddenly interrupts and asks: So u are working at Wipro

Technologies???

Me: yes ma'am from the past 1.5 years

VO: Why is that you want to quit Wipro?

Me: I am not quitting Wipro.I am taking a sabbatical leave.

VO: Can i see the letter for the sabbatical.

Me: The processing will start only once i submit a copy of my Visa.

VO: How long would you get the sabbatical?

Me: Upto 2years

VO: Why is that Wipro wants to grant a sabbatical??

Me: I have been working in this field for 1.5 years and have been a

good performer and when i expressed my interest to do my MS, my

supervisor approved it.

VO: gives an expression as if not satisfied with the answer

VO: Whos is sponsoring for your studies??

Me: My family- my dad and my bro in particular

VO: wat does ur father do?

Me: working as XXX in XXX company frm past 3years. Ealier was

working in XXX as XX where he served for 28years.

VO: I have approved your case, you cannot enter the US 30days before

the beginning of the school.

Me: Thanks madam. Have a nice day.

VO: No reply.

From: "roha_0072003"

Subject: my visa expeience

ques:-1) going to arkansas?

A-yes.

2)Why arkansas?

A- my area of concentration is very strong in Ark.

3)who are your sponsors?

A-parents.

4)Their indivisual anual income?

A- bla bla bla.

5)ok. do you know Bill clinton is from Arkansas?

A- yes.

6) do you like him?

A- yes. i like his views

7) how do you know?

A- just a small reference on Univ. of ARK. he is associated in Univ.

committee.

8)where are you working currently?

A- Mukand Ltd. thane.

9) do you like the job?

A- yes.

from: Siddharth Gudal

VO: What is the field of your MS?

Me: Industrial Engg. (Georgia Tech)

VO: Your I20 has a figure of $45,000 (actually it is $46,000). How are you going to pay for your education?

Me: I have the necessary finances for supporting my education. (Show her a summary of my financial assets)

VO: I want to see all your Savings bank accounts.

Me: There are quite a few of them (hand over approx 8 passbooks and 3 IDBI bank statements)

VO: (without looking at the passbooks or statements) What does your Dad do?

Me: Said

VO: (half opens one of the passbooks and then closes it and stares back at me) Ok Sir...Your Visa will be couriered to you and you will receive it in 2-3 days.

Me: Thanks

From: "Deepthi"

Subject: hi my visa experience....

vo: good evening

ME: good evening maam, how r u doing?

VO: So u r going to pursue ur masters in univ of nebraska-omaha

ME: yes maam

VO: U have to pay $17600 for ur masters....wht does ur dad do to

sponsor u so much money?

ME: blah blah...

VO: oh professor which coll

ME: blah blah...

VO: how many univ did u apply?

ME: blah

VO: list them

ME: blah blah

VO: did u finish ur bachelors?

ME: no i just wrote my 4-2 exams results are yet to be out

VO: so why r u going so fast for ur masters?

ME: so that i can complete it fast and work

VO: wht will u do after masters?

ME: I will come back to india

VO: why will u come back to india.

ME: i have many obligations towards my family and there is

globalization in india which can pay me the same pay packet so i need

not stay in US.

VO: ok....ur visa will be issued..

ME: thank you maam...

Message: 2

Date: Thu, 26 May 2005 12:43:06 -0000

From: "Rakesh Gupta"

Subject: my visa experience at Delhi consulate

well the interview lasted just 2 minutes

like this

VO: have you ever been to the US before?

me: No

vo: so you are goin to the OU norman:

me: yes mam, for MS comoputer science specializing in Artificial

intelligence

Vo: how come did u choose AI?

me: mam i had AI in my last semester so i felt interested in it .

VO: who is gonna fund u?

me: my parents, i have 16 lacs in saving accounts, 10lacs in fixed

deposits, will u like to see the docs?

VO: no no, i dont wanna.

VO: so you ver workin in CADDsoft technologies?

me:yes mam.

vO: u joined since u did your bachelors?

me:No mam, i joined it in the month of feb 2005. (/* She asked this

in order to Cross check me as i had written that i joined CADDsoft

tech on 0-7-02-2005 on the DS form , so please be careful to whatever

u have written on the DS forms cos they definitely cross check it/*)

okay

VO: what did i do ther?

me: i had the duty of maintaining the networks and installing the

required software.

VO:okay your visa is approved. have a nice day.

me: thank you mam, you have a nice day too

Date: Thu, 26 May 2005 21:10:15 -0700 (PDT)

From: neelima narla

Subject: hi, i got my visa on may 23rd

me: good morning

vo: hi good morning how is ur day

me : fine sir( after long time saying this he asked me below question)

vo: why usa....?

me: most of the recent arch aurveys reveals that teh best architecture schools are from unitedstatesand even top more architects and frankly speaking the arch scenario in unitedstates is many a times a head than in india.....

( by that tiem he was seeing my ds forms still then he did not see my face)

vo: where did u do your undergraduation?

me: told

vo:when did u undergraduate ..?

me: july 2004

( then he started seeing my i20 form by keeping his finger on the figures and details)

vo:what were u doing from then....?

me: told working so and so firm......blah blah

( and by the time i was finishing my answer he gave my docus back with my passport and said ok byee and u will get ur passport in 2 days)

From: Nikhil Gokhale

Good Morning Officer, How are you today?

The interview went like this at 9.15 am

VO: Good morning, I am fine, thank you,how are you Nikhil?

Me: I am fine thank you, officer

He opened my passport, took out my I-20.Around 3-4 minutes he was busy typing something, and I was holding thetelephone as confidently as I could. Finally#8230; he spoke a few words like,#8220;My PC seems to have crashed!!!

Me: Ohh!!! Officer, is it?

He wrote F1 on one of the receipts and apaper#8230;Till that time things starting working well on PC and theconversation continued as follows

VO: Where did you get to know about USC?

Me: Told him#8230;.

VO: Did you apply to any other schools?

Me: Yes officer, in total, #8220;7#8221;I applied to these schools

VO: Who is your sponsor?

Me: My father is my sponsor.

VO what does he do?

Me: Told him#8230;and probed him abouttaking a look at my financial documents, on which he simply smiled and said noneed!!!

He then inspected my passport for a whileas my old passport was attached to the newer one. He spotted a visit visa forSultanate of Oman and instantly inquired about the visa stamp

VO: You seem to have traveled abroad?

Me: Yes sir, it was a very casual trip toSultanate of Oman

VO: Was your family accompanying you?

Me: Yes sir, me, mother and mysister#8230;My father worked there for past #8220;x#8221; years with NRIstatus#8230;

VO: He interrupted, in construction field

Me: Yes sir#8230;

He then smiled at me and paraphrased theanswer I told him for the first question about USC..and then came the goldenwords

VO: Alright, Nikhil#8230;I am issuing youa visa#8230;You will get your passport in 2 days time#8230;

Me: Thank you very much Officer#8230;Havea nice day sir#8230;

VO: You too#8230;

Me: Out with a big smile on myface#8230;Gathered the original documents from the officer and kept them backin the folder. Sat on a chair for a while took a few deep breadths and vacatedthe Consulate coolly at 9.20 am

From: "tinku_hot2005"

Subject: GOT VISA YESTERDAY(MAY 25) AT CHENNAI

me:Good afternoon.

VO:good afternoon.

me:how r u?

VO:how r u?

both at the same time!

me:fine

VO:fine

again both at the same time!!

VO took my file and examined the documents and my I-20.

VO:why US?

me: US is the international learing center..(interrupted by VO)

VO:sir plzzzz i don't want to listen to ur long speeches(smiling)

me:Sorry sir

Vo:its ok. I'll ask u few questions and i need exact answers

me:OK

Vo:for what u r going to US?

me:to do my Masters in CS.

VO:wat univ?

me:cleveland state univ@ ohio

Vo: who recommended that univ?

me: my seniors and my prof.s

VO: how many schools did u apply?

me:4

VO:wat r they?

me:......

vo:any admits?

me:yes sir

when i was about to open my file to show the other i 20's he

said, "its ok".

vo: can i have ur bachelors certificate?

me: sorry sir. still i havn't received my final semester marks.

VO: its ok. show me ur individual mark sheets along with course

comletion letter.

I gave him those certificates.

he observed them keenly( i'ave got one backlog, that is of Electrical

subject ET)

Vo: sir becoz of 90 day rule i can't issue right now.ur VISA along

with pass port will be mailed to you in a short while

me:Thanks a lot sir

VO:thank you

From: mansi trivedi

VO officer: Hello Ms. Trivedi (he pronounced it in such a funny way that I giggled, something I was not supposed to do)

VO: is that correct, Ms. Trivedi right

Me: Yes, sir that’s right.

VO: How are you?

Me: I am fine, thankyou for asking. How are you?

VO: I am fine. Could you pick up that phone so I can hear you correctly?

Me (pick up the phone): Yes. Sure.

VO: So, Virginia commonwealth uni, is it?

Me: Yes, Sir. Virginia commonwealth uni, ad center

VO: Why this uni?

Me: Sir, VCU Adcenter is ranked no.1 ad school in USA and they have a specialization in Account Planning. Also the professors teaching there like Mr.Jon Steel and Mr.Rick Boyko are eminent people from the industry who have written various books on advertising….

VO: Okay, So you have done your bachelors in Marketing, is it?

Me: I have done my Bachelors in Mass Media, specialized in advertising where I brushed upon subjects in advertising, subjects like client servicing, copywriting, account planning etc. where I got interested in account planning.

VO: Uhum, so when did u finish your bachelors?

Me: Last year, 2004

VO: What have you been doing since then?

Me: I am doing my MA in English ,part 1 for the 16th year as suggested by the University and I have worked with Rediffusion DYR for 3 months and Concept for 3 months.

VO: Tell me about that.

So I told him bout my stint at rediffusion, so he sounded pretty impressed.

VO: How are you going to finance your education?

Me: My family is sponsoring me.

VO: what does your dad do?

Me: He is a businessman. He is a wholesaler for ________company and he is into the business of electrical measuring units.

VO: What is your family’s annual income?

Me: around Rs._____.

VO: But that’s not sufficient for your course!!

Me: My family has a lot of savings and consolidated money for my education.

VO: Show me evidence.

I showed my summary statement, FDs

VO: but this only takes care of ur first yr, what about your second year?

Me: Sir, My father is working and he has a constant inflow of income. Plus, since he is into business he also gets commission. And he also has savings in the form of shares. So that’s no problem at all.

VO: Okay, Ms. Trivedi (smiles, types something in the computer, matched something from my passport to the comp, keeps them aside along with yellow envelope) You will get your VISA in 2 days …(then he mumbled something but I just was too excited and thrilled to hear it)…Travel carefully. J J J

From: kalyan vanam

me:gud morning officer

vo: gud morning can i c ur documents.

me: sure,i gav him the doc...( mean while i gav my

finger prints)

vo: which univ?

me :\so n so

vo:do u hav baclogs?

me: so n so

vo: wats ur father?

mew: he is ....

vo:he threw my passport in to a basket....(i knew i am

given the visa...)

vo: can i c ur memos..

i was abt to giv him ..then he asked for course

completion certificate...he dint chk any of those ....

vo: congracts .let me c if i can giv u ur passport

noe..

me: i dint understand..

vo: best of luc...v will send ur passport through

courier..

me: thank u ,hav a nic day.

From: pravin

My profile :

GRE : 1050

Toefl : 230

Academics percentage : 85.8 %

Louisiana state university

Appointment time : 10.00 to 10.15 am

me : very good moring sir

vo : ya good moring, how r u doing..?

me : Doing well sir..

vo : let us start with finger print scan now..

me : ok sir.... scanned..

vo : plz give me the file

me : gave

vo : (looked thro the i-20) it seems that u r going for us to do ur graduate studies in Electrical engineering program..

me : s sir

vo : why do u personally feel to choose the electrical engineering program?

me : sir, it was started from my childhood stage...Right from basic calculator to computer, every technological appliance is applications of electronics.... the field is very big one...

vo : show me ur degree certificate

me : given ( i think he might be satisfied with my degree ceritificate since there it was written First class with Distinction in Block letters )

vo : i am going to issue the visa, ur visa will reach u in courier in two days... have a nice day..

me : thank u sir..

From: mukul patwardhan

VO: goodmorning.how are u?

me: i am fine sir.how are u doing?

VO: fine.

VO:which university and course?

me: Oklahoma state university for MS in INdustrial engg with

specialization in

Manufacturing systems.

VO: why OSU?

me: sir OSU offers a very good course in IE and the contents of the

course match my requirements.it has some emminent profs working in the

field of man systems.besides its 1 of the most affordable

universities.

VO: name some profs

me: prof.......

VO: who's sponsering u?

me: my parents.

VO: whats their annual income.

me: sir their fixed income is more than 5 lac per annum and my dads

buisness income is 2.5 lacs/annum.

VO: what does ur father and mother do.

me: father is investment consultant and mom retired recently from RBI.

VO: i dont think they can pay so much money for ur education.

me: sir i'll show u their asset summary.

as i started taking it out he said

VO: no dont show explain how much they have

me: sir they have over 21 lac in liquid assets (is more than the 2 yr

fees) and their net asset worth is more than 200 thousand

dollars.besides i am the only dependant child. so they can easily

invest in my education.

VO:ok

VO:what after MS.

me: i have to take of my parents.so i'll come back here.i want to work

with some reputed companies like L&T, tata, bajaj etc.my international

degree will help me get a better remuneration than my indian degree.

VO: when is ur college starting

me: 22 august sir

VO: have u ever travelled abroad?

me: no sir this will be my first oppotunity.

he then returned me my i20. i got the indication i 'll get the visa.

VO:u'll get ur passport by courier in 1-2 days.(he said this so fast i

didn't understatd what he said)

me:sorry sir i didn't get u.

VO told the same thing again.i jumped up in joy and thanked him and

left the counter.

From: Neha Khedekar

VO: Hello Ma'am, Good Mornin,How are u doing today?

ME: Fine, Thank you officer, What abt u?

VO: So u are....(Said something a started laughing..I cud not hear what he said)

Me: Didnt know what to say(guesed that he must habve asked whether I m going to US for my

MS). So i said "YES"

VO: What yes? U shud say Thank you(pata nahi kya bol raha tha..again strated laughing...

Pata nati ..shayad I was looking funny that he was laughing so much!!)

Me: Well Thank you Officer(kya karti, bolna pada...pura confusion)

VO: How old are u?(HE was asking thsi question to most of the people)

Me: told him

VO: So are u working somwhere?

Me: Yes, told him Company name

Vo how long are u are u working there?

Me: told him

Vo: What are u working as?

Me: told him

Vo: Where have u undergraduated from?

Me: told him

Vo: (Impresed)What stream?

Me: Told him

Vo: Oh!!Were u a first class holder?

Me: Yes, First class with distinction

Vo: (Impressed)thats gr8!

Vo: Is your Dad paying for ur education?]

Me: yes

Vo: How much does he earn?

Me: told him

At this time he started putting my passport in the yellow envelop and was abt to give me

my I-20 back(indication that i have got the visa!!!)

Vo: So tell me, whar are ur plans after MS?

This entire moment was very hilarious!!!

Me: (I had prepared a very long speech for this question, but I was so excited that I

forgot everything and I just spat out involuntarily)I WANT TO COMEBACK TO

INDIA!!!!!!!

vO: started laughing like mad

Me: I too started laughing but was somewhat embarrassed too

Vo: why do want to come back to India?

Me: I want to come back since I want to join an IT giant like Oracle, SISL, Wipro, TCS

... blah blah

Vo: But u are already in the IT industry

Me: Yes, but I want to work in my field of interest in which i am going to do my MS.

Vo: OK, ma'am, am going to issue u your visa. HAve a nice day..and ALL THE BEST!!!

Me: Thank you so much officer!!

From: "msapplicant5"

me: good morning officer, how are u doing today…

vo: ………

( while he was commenting this there was an announcement for some

Patel family..and I missed what he said. I thought he has asked me

some question…so asked him to repeat..

vo ( with a smile ) I said …fine…thank u so much for asking me how

I am doing today.. u seem to be very polite. Your parents must be

proud to have u as their daughter

(I wonder why he said that…)

me:: thanku for the compliment..

then he sees something on his computer according the the token no

which he has fed in ..taken out my passport, I-20... and his smile

vanishes away.. and he has become serious now.… …. the moniter was

aligned in a slant position .. I could see my details…this is the

sevis part.. every thing about ur university , ur profile ( which u

had sent to the university..ofcourse not the sop and recos..)

vo:( loudly ) are u a gujarati?

Me: yes sir..

Vo:(even more loudly) are u a Patel??

Me :: my heart had stooped beating now.. what all is he asking…..ask

me something about my university…. How I choose my university……I have

such good answers for all common questions…

why strange questions for me…

he never asked any such things to others…why only me…))

Yes I am

Vo: u kno miss patel ..there are so many patels in the US… .they have

started their own community there.. what do u have to say about that??

Me: they are not anyhow related to me..

Vo:: ( I don't kno what he said at this moment .. becos there was

again the same announcement for one family on the mic…( I think he

asked .. are u going to immigrate there???/ or it was are u going to

take up work there..)

Me:: ( now at this time I did not want him to repeat the question…I

thought it may count against me, he may think I was not attentive.

but those announcements are really bugging, especially when it is the

VO's turn to speak..………..)no sir

Vo:: u are going to immigrate??

Me :: No sir…..( now I wanted to give him a justifying

answer.. , but he cuts me here.. and throws the next question

at me)

VO::I am worried that u will be also one of them who will settle

there..

Me:::: ( I had started losing my confidence now…but then I thought ,

it is now or never..)

I understand this sir, there are so many ppl immigrating there…but I

am not related to them.. I even know this that in the consulate

office every applicant is considered as an individual case. and

I will not be associated with or linked to other ppl immigrating

there .. And I kno that this is not going to affect my visa .Because

I am going for my studies purpose…( I wanted to say something more…

again he cuts me short here…)

VO:: do u have any relatives there??

Me :: no sir??

Vo:: are u sure no body is there??

Me :: no body is there sir, we are all settled here( I thought he is

going to reject me now)

Vo:ok tell me are u a first class or a second class

Me : first class

Vo:: why not distinction???

Me .sir my percentage is 64%, and in my university distinction

starts from 65.6%, also I was amongst the top 2% students in my class

for the engg. Mathematics university exams..

Vo::( now he starts smiling).. yes miss patel.. but why not

distinction..

Me:: I will be performing even more better in my M.S

Vo:: sho me ur marksheets and ur certificate ..

Me .. gave it to him

( he was scanning them carefully)

Vo:: (now he laughs)..so how much GPA will u get in ur masters. will

u get a gpa of 4.2

Me:: ( I was just wondering .. gpa is out of 4.. why is he telling

4.2….. I think he is in a mood to crack jokes now…wasn't sure what to

say. Whether to tell him about the gpa = 4 fact.. or not??)

May be…sir .. I will work for a good gpa..

Vo: still smiling…. What does your father do???

Told him

Vo: what is his annual salary…

Me:: told him

Vo:: ok ma'm are u sure that u are not going to immigrate there

after M.S

ME:: yes sir( by now he had started writing something on the

photocopy of my I-20..

Took the passport .. and kept the papers in it…)

Vo: Ok ma'm Iam giving u ur visa.. and do come back to India…

Me:; thank u so much sir.... JJ

Vo:: Oh! U r welcome// J J

From: "mithildeshmukh"

Me: Good Morning Mam.

VO: Good Morning

Me: How r u?

VO: fine

VO: why r u going to US

Me: for higher education

VO: what higher education

Me: for my Masters in CS

VO: How do u came to know abt UMKC

Me: thru seniors,internet

VO: Which seniors

Me: those who were with me at my college during my BE

VO: what ar their names

Me: Mr.X and Mr. Y

VO: who is going to sponser ur eduaction

Me: Father

VO: what is he doing

Me: He is( Blah Blah)

Vo:How many bro and sister u have

Me: Blah Blah

Vo: there was another guy who is also going to UMKC who appeard for

the interview earlier do u know him?

Me: no

Vo how come u have got the scholarship

Me:I had applied for it during the application process

VO: OK Mithil I am giving u the Visa,Best of Luck

From: anusha_2k5

ME: HI,GOOD MORNING

VO: HI ,PLEASE PUT UR LEFTINDEX FINGER AND THENTHE RIGHT.

ME: IS IT FINE?

VO: YEAH U CAN REMOVE NOW.

VO: PLEASE PASS ON UR FILE

ME: I DID

VO:WHICH UNIVERSITY?

ME: CLEMSON UNIVERSITY,SOUTH CAROLINA

VO: OH!

(HE STARTED PROCESSING THE PAPERS.WROTE F1 ON THE TOKEN,STARTED

PUSHING AWAY ALL THE

DOCUEMENTS TOWARDS ME).

VO: WHY CLEMSON?

ME: I STARTED ANWERING BUT HE CUT ME AND SAID ITSOK.

VO: U HAV ANY SIBLINGS?

ME: NO

VO:WAT R UR PARENTS?

ME: I TOLD (HE CUT ME AGAIN AND SAID OK)

ME: YOU WILL GET UR PASSPORT IN 2-3 DAYS.ALL THE BEST ,STUDY WELL

AND COME BACK TO INDIA(HE

WAS WINKING WHEN HE SAID THE LAST WORDS):)

THATS IT I SAID THANK U AND RUSHED OUT TO MY PARENTS.

I GOT MY PASSPORT ON 27 MORNING WITH THE VISA STAMPING WITH 5 EAR

MULTIPLE ENTRY.

From: Gautam Kalita

Univ: Tulane Univ's Freeman School of Business

Schol: Tuition waiver + Assistantship

My appointment was at 8:15 and in the appointment letter it

was strictly mentioned that I should not be there 15 mins before the

interview. Accordingly I reached at 8, only to find a very big Q. I

had my interview at 12 instead of 8:15.

Lesson: Go atleast an hour before your interview.

The VO asked for my GMAT and TOEFL score reports and my UG transcripts.

I was asked why Tulane.

That was all. I got my stamped Passport yesterday.

Good luck to everyone.

From: Harish Naga

me: Good afternoon,

VO : Give the file [I gave him]

vo: put ur left index finger ( I did so )

O.K now ur right one ( again I did it)

VO: which university

me: University of Kenucky, lexington

vo: ur other admits.

me : uni of dayton, wichita, wayne, tulsa.........[he cut me short]

Vo: what r u going to do there?

me : good research by well experienced

faculty................................................

Vo: give ur GRE, TOEFL scorereports

[ I slid them thru the gap provided]

vo: what is ur percentage in India?

me :74

vo: give me ur acads sheets

I gave him the memos of B.E

vo: which university?

me : OSMANIA UNIVERSITY [lil bit louder]

vo : when did u pass out?

me : 2004

vo: Sir, U shud have come then , why u came after one year?-----(Hey ppl

just now I got my passsport thru courier for 5 years.)ok come to the point

me: Sir, I didnt apply to unis last year, and didnt wrote GRE, Toefl,

vo: then what u did for one year

me : I took course in CAD/CAM , so I took gre and toefl in december, and

applied to unis, thats the reason I came now.

VO: ok, sir,I dont need all these documents take them. You can go to home

now, we will send ur passport in courier, Have a safe trip.

me: Thank you.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: manoj kumar

me: good morning vo how r u felling today

vo : good n u.....

me fine

vo : why r u going 2 usa

me : blah blah

vo : why bradley

me : blah blah

vo: wht does u r father do

me : blah blah

vo : whtz his annual income

me: blah blah

vo : how many siblings do u have

me :blah blah

vo: can u give me u r orginal marksheets

me : sure officer (n submitted)

vo: u r granted

me: thank u officer

thtz it

From: Nitin

ME: Gud Afternoon Sir

VO: he didnt even look at me. He was pointing towards my documents. Gave the folder to him

VO: So u r a student!

ME: YES sir.

VO: Why do u want to be a Student!

ME: Sir, i want to persue Masters in EE at UMR. I want to explore more things abt my area of interest which is DSP.So, i am here for that.

VO: What do u want to do after being a student?

ME: Sir, I want to come back, Join some reputed college as an assistant professor and impart my knowledge to them.

VO: Oh,ok

Me: Yes air.

VO: Ok, Can u tell me abt DSP?

ME: Processuing a asignal by digital means is digital signal processing. blah blah blah...

VO: ok

VO: so u use DSP in Satellite Comunications?

ME: Yes sir. These techniques can be used anywhere, where communications are involved.

VO: ok, are they used in "OCTRASOUNDS"??

ME: I didnt get u sir. Could u please repeat it for me.

VO: OCTRA SOUNDS??

ME: Sorry sir, I am not sure. I have no idea.

VO: ok, yeah yeah, are they used in SONOGRAM?

ME: hhmmmm....

VO: If u know wat it is say "yes" if u dont say I dont know

ME: ( before he completed the sentence) I DONT KNOW

VO: ok, ask ur mom abt it

ME: Sure sir.(with a big smile)

VO: ok, But why do u want to be a teacher?

ME: Sir, Teaching is my passion. and my father is a teacher by profession. HE is my inspiration sir.

VO: where does he teach?

ME: Sir, he is a lecturer in One of the primeier institutes which trains students for the IITs

VO: where?

ME: in Hyd sir

VO: R there any good colleges here?

ME: Yes sir

VO: then dont u study here and why only in US?

ME: The exposure we get in US is more than what we have here amd Sir, I have an option to go for the best.

VO: ok

VO: Why Missouri ,Rolla

ME: SIr, this college is the best out of my admits

VO: How many colleges did u apply to?

ME: 6 sir

VO: What are they?

ME: UMR, GMU, NYIT, SIUE, OSU and UMKC

VO: How many admits?

ME: 3 sir. UMR, GMU and NYIT and 2 rejects from SIUE And OSU.

VO: Pls give me ur other i20s

ME: Sure sir.

VO: one second

ME: sure sir

( tooks the i20s inside and came back after 4-5 mins. i thot he was checking the SEVIS database)

VO: So, these are geniune

ME: Ofcourse sir,

VO: Give me ur Mark sheets?

ME: yes sir.

VO: where is ur degree certificate?

ME: sir, i finished my final sem exams last month sir.

( gave him my course completion)

VO: ok.,

VO: are u a second class student??

ME: NOOO Sir

( asshole, he took my 3-1 memo and was looking at it. 3-1 i got 50% :D)

VO: but i see all 50 and 60s here.

ME: Sir, in that sem i scored less. But one sem doesnt matter for all sir.

VO: So, u say u are a first class student

ME: Sir, i am yet to get my final sem marks. I'll be a first class student then for sure

VO: So, U r confident?

ME: 100% sir.

VO: Do u wish to do ur Ph.d?

ME: No sir. Only MS

VO: So, u dont want to work after ur Masters?

ME: NO SIR

VO:ok, Go to counter 1.

ME: Thanks Sir.

( i have been observing that ppl who got visas where asked to go to counter 1, so i my visa is approved.)

ME:Sir, I think that looks better down there

( He put his pen in his ear. i have being seeing that since 10. so when i saw him for the first time in the counter,i thot i'll say this if he interviews me.I said that pointing my fingers towards the pen.)

VO: smiles.

From: quadir amaan

Vo: give me ur folder.

Vo: how many hours do u study in a day??

me:(wow, wat a question) 3-4 hrs. he smiles lookin at

me.

Vo: tell me ur name. ur record should be here(checkin

his system).

me: told my full name. (thoufght he wud grill me as i

was MOHD.)

Vo: when did u graduate?

me: 2004.

Vo: wat did u do till now?

me: told(gre prep., courses..oracle etc.)

Vo: whats ur brother?

me: studyin

Vo:wats ur sis?

me: married

Vo;wats ur father?

me:doctor

Vo:medical doctor?

me:yes,medical doctor

Vo:ur mother at hom?

me:yes, she is a housewife.

Vo:show me ur degree. gave

Vo: show me ur individual marksheets.

Vo: show me ur test scores.

gave all

now he was checkin all, and i was tryin to read his

name but it was long and got disturbed as he asked:

Vo:y r u goin to UNC?

me:(now he started scribbling which i didnt

notice)told abt research options and area of interest.

Vo: take ur docs. u will get vis ain 3 days!

me: couldnt beliueve it.) thanku sir.

(i didnt see him keepin my PP , was checkin again and

asked him when i wud get my Visa?

Vo: in 3 days (showin his 3 fingers)

From: "pawarsaurabh"

pawarsaurabh: "hello sir"

VO "Hello good morning"

pawarsaurabh: keep the index finger on scanner for fingerprints

pawarsaurabh: first left

pawarsaurabh: then right

pawarsaurabh: then he ashed me to press right finger against the

window

pawarsaurabh: to see the prints if the are ok

pawarsaurabh: then i asked him do i need to press once more

VO :na

VO : ok sir when did you grad

pawarsaurabh: in 2004 july

VO :what do you do now

pawarsaurabh: I work in a small firm in my home town

VO :how much do they pay you there

pawarsaurabh: 5000 rs

VO: show me your marks cards and deg certificate

pawarsaurabh: i showed him he verified and checked the deg

certificate for authenticity

VO : why ind engg

pawarsaurabh: i want to set up an industry and so I want to learn the

management part of it and in ind engg i would learn the various

factor that affect human performance, suppy chain management and some

tech stuff

* hey this is where i gave him an idea that i would return but it

was done indirectly

VO :who would sponsor your trip

pawarsaurabh: sir my dad

VO what does your dad do

pawarsaurabh: we own a large groceries store

* thix is the turning point.

VO: why dont you assist your dad instead of working in a small firm

pawarsaurabh: i said " I want to set up my own ind and stand on my

own feet and so i was working in a small firm to get a good exp and

learn many things about how an industry works.

VO why oklahoma st univ

pawarsaurabh: it rank 30th in us for ind engg and offers me

spelization in sub which interest me

VO: ok unfortunately i cant issue you a visa right now but would give

you after 25th may as per the 90 day rule as your prog starts on 25th

of aug

pawarsaurabh: ok sir

pawarsaurabh: how can i get my passport back sir

pawarsaurabh: VO it would be courriered to you by TTS as you have

paid for their services

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Ace Eca

Me: A very gud morn 2 u officer. (handig over my I-20 and sevis

receipt)

VO: gud morn 2 u too, welcome to the consulate

Me: thnx officer, ow r u?

VO: I'm very fine thnk u.

VO: ok, so ur name is Seedart

Me: (yucks!!) still smiliing ..yes sir.

VO: so whose sponsoring ur education?

Me: My parents

VO: wat do ur parents do?

Me: they r in d business of construction and providing telecom

solutions.

VO: Construction?? hmm..ow much do they earn?

Me: annually their salary is arnd 5:3 lacs

Vo: do u have any family in the US?

ME: No sir!!

Vo: smiles..ok Seedart, i'm gonna issue u the visa, u shall get it in 2 days.(n gave me back my I-20 n sevis receipt)

Me: (all smiles), thnx officer, have a nice day