Fall 2018- F1 Student Visa Experience: (Chennai Consulate | University of Colorado at Boulder | Computer Science- Approved)

Applicant Profile:

University: University of Colorado at BoulderCourse: MS in Computer Science.

Chennai ConsulateDate: May 2018Status: Approved

Visa Interview Transcript:

VO: Hi, how are you? Passport please.ME: I'm good. (Handed over the passport, feeling too anxious to ask how he was doing)VO: Why are you heading to the US?ME: To pursue my Master's in Computer Science.VO: Ah, a Master's program. Your I20 please.(I handed it over as he continued typing)VO: Have you paid your SEVIS fee?ME: Yes, I have.

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VO: Are you sure?(Just as I began to answer affirmatively) No, I'm just joking (Laughs)I smiled back, which helped ease my tension.VO: Why this specific university? Is it because of the skiing in Boulder? (He joked while imitating skiing movements with a grin)ME: I smiled at his gesture and replied that skiing wasn't the motivation. Instead, it was because CU Boulder offers coursework that matches my goals and features a more concise breadth requirement.

VO: What are your plans after completing your MS?ME: I plan to return here and work for an IT firm, specifically in a position that matches the academic interests I mentioned.VO: How many universities did you apply to?ME: 10 universities.VO: (Smiling) Wow, that is a significant number!ME: (Smiling) Yes, I know.VO: And how many offers of admission did you receive?ME: I informed him I received 3, listed them, and noted that 1 application was still pending a decision.

VO: How do you plan to finance your studies?ME: My parents will be sponsoring my education.VO: What do your parents do for a living?ME: My father is currently retired, though until 10 months ago he was employed at XX as AA. My mother is employed with an NGO.

VO: Could you share your GRE score?ME: 330VO: Whoa! Is that right? (He smiled and shook his head in disbelief)ME: (Grinning) Yes, absolutely.VO: (Continuing to smile and shake his head as if amazed by the high score)ME: (Still grinning) Thank you.VO: So, I assume you have no backlogs?ME: No, none.VO: Right, why did I even ask?

VO: (Returning the I20) Enjoy your studies and have a wonderful day.ME: Thank you, you as well!VO: My wife is from Boulder, and we visit every year.....(he continued sharing a bit more)

I stopped paying attention at that point, overwhelmed with relief. I simply responded with polite remarks like "Oh really? Oh yeah?" until he finished speaking.

The interview lasted roughly 3 minutes.Everything prior to that took about 45 minutes, starting from when I joined the line outside the consulate.