DV2014 Selectee - Student, please help

[piotr95]

Hello everyone,

So I'm gonna try and keep this as short as I can and get straight to it:

I am 18 right now (19 in February), I completed my secondary education here in Jersey (UK) so I meet the high school requirement criterion, I also completed a 1 year course at college in 2012 (BTEC ICT Level 2) and am currently on my final year of a 2 year course, due to finish in June 2014 (BTEC ICT Level 3).

So basically, my problem is:
On the forms that we have sent off, it asks for all schools attended and all certificates/diplomas received, since I haven't finished this course yet and haven't received anything, I didn't put anything down in the forms, please note that this is the same college, it is another course but it's a continuation from the one in 2012.
Will me not putting it down on the forms, even though I haven't finished yet, be a problem? If so, what can I do about this?

Also, my other question is - am I more likely to be considered under a public charge due to my situation?
Like I already said, I will be 19 in February, am in perfect health, you know about my education already, I don't have any proper work experience (other than the one people in the UK do during their GCSE studies, for 3 weeks, which wasn't enough for me to put down in the forms anyway), also I'm going to have around £4000 - £5000 in my bank account from my family who are willing to help, so I would be able to show this in the interview.
How likely is it that they would ask me about this or refuse me on these grounds?
Is there anything else I can do to minimize my chances of being considered as a public charge?

That's it for now, thanks for hearing me out, appreciate any answers.

 

[s.brody]

Hi. I'm also a student(final year though) with minimal work experience, and was wondering the same thing

 

[c1984]

Hello everyone,

So I'm gonna try and keep this as short as I can and get straight to it:

I am 18 right now (19 in February), I completed my secondary education here in Jersey (UK) so I meet the high school requirement criterion, I also completed a 1 year course at college in 2012 (BTEC ICT Level 2) and am currently on my final year of a 2 year course, due to finish in June 2014 (BTEC ICT Level 3).

So basically, my problem is:
On the forms that we have sent off, it asks for all schools attended and all certificates/diplomas received, since I haven't finished this course yet and haven't received anything, I didn't put anything down in the forms, please note that this is the same college, it is another course but it's a continuation from the one in 2012.
Will me not putting it down on the forms, even though I haven't finished yet, be a problem? If so, what can I do about this?

Also, my other question is - am I more likely to be considered under a public charge due to my situation?
Like I already said, I will be 19 in February, am in perfect health, you know about my education already, I don't have any proper work experience (other than the one people in the UK do during their GCSE studies, for 3 weeks, which wasn't enough for me to put down in the forms anyway), also I'm going to have around £4000 - £5000 in my bank account from my family who are willing to help, so I would be able to show this in the interview.
How likely is it that they would ask me about this or refuse me on these grounds?
Is there anything else I can do to minimize my chances of being considered as a public charge?

That's it for now, thanks for hearing me out, appreciate any answers.

Where are you from? UK?

What are your plans for when arrive in the US?

 

[Britsimon]

Hello everyone,

So I'm gonna try and keep this as short as I can and get straight to it:

I am 18 right now (19 in February), I completed my secondary education here in Jersey (UK) so I meet the high school requirement criterion, I also completed a 1 year course at college in 2012 (BTEC ICT Level 2) and am currently on my final year of a 2 year course, due to finish in June 2014 (BTEC ICT Level 3).

So basically, my problem is:
On the forms that we have sent off, it asks for all schools attended and all certificates/diplomas received, since I haven't finished this course yet and haven't received anything, I didn't put anything down in the forms, please note that this is the same college, it is another course but it's a continuation from the one in 2012.
Will me not putting it down on the forms, even though I haven't finished yet, be a problem? If so, what can I do about this?

Also, my other question is - am I more likely to be considered under a public charge due to my situation?
Like I already said, I will be 19 in February, am in perfect health, you know about my education already, I don't have any proper work experience (other than the one people in the UK do during their GCSE studies, for 3 weeks, which wasn't enough for me to put down in the forms anyway), also I'm going to have around £4000 - £5000 in my bank account from my family who are willing to help, so I would be able to show this in the interview.
How likely is it that they would ask me about this or refuse me on these grounds?
Is there anything else I can do to minimize my chances of being considered as a public charge?

That's it for now, thanks for hearing me out, appreciate any answers.

Piotr95, I'm sorry to say this but you do not currently meet the minimum education requirement.

The requirement for the DV lottery is an education equivalent to a US High school education. For an American, that means someone who is 18/19 and it is the point at which an American can enter University. So in the UK system, our High school is NOT at the right level. What they actually need is two full years of college and passes at A levels (and I'm not sure but I think you would have to have 3 A levels based on requirements for similar systems).

Your only option is to complete your BTEC course (level 3) and attend an interview after that point. I am NOT sure they would take the BTEC as an equivalent to 3 A levels (because strictly speaking, it isn't), but I can imagine they might accept it. If you attend the interview right now, you would most certainly be denied. Your age is about the minimum possible for DV so they are bound to be careful about what education you have. So, my advice is to delay your appointment until after you get your completion results in July - but be aware that because there is going to be a cutoff this year that will put you dangerously close to the cutoff point, so you could miss out anyway.

On to your other points, assuming you can overcome the education thing, there is no doubt that they will be wary of your ability to support yourself. £5k will go very quickly on travel, fees, and living expenses for the first few weeks, so it is below the "standard" of $10k per person, but it is also not a lot of money to get a start out there. It would help a lot if you have friends etc that can accommodate you to start with.

One last thing, you don't mention your chargeability. Are you British or were you born somewhere else? Have you claimed chargeability to some other country?

 

[franko]

Piotr95, I'm sorry to say this but you do not currently meet the minimum education requirement.

The requirement for the DV lottery is an education equivalent to a US High school education. For an American, that means someone who is 18/19 and it is the point at which an American can enter University. So in the UK system, our High school is NOT at the right level. What they actually need is two full years of college and passes at A levels (and I'm not sure but I think you would have to have 3 A levels based on requirements for similar systems).

Your only option is to complete your BTEC course (level 3) and attend an interview after that point. I am NOT sure they would take the BTEC as an equivalent to 3 A levels (because strictly speaking, it isn't), but I can imagine they might accept it. If you attend the interview right now, you would most certainly be denied. Your age is about the minimum possible for DV so they are bound to be careful about what education you have. So, my advice is to delay your appointment until after you get your completion results in July - but be aware that because there is going to be a cutoff this year that will put you dangerously close to the cutoff point, so you could miss out anyway.

On to your other points, assuming you can overcome the education thing, there is no doubt that they will be wary of your ability to support yourself. £5k will go very quickly on travel, fees, and living expenses for the first few weeks, so it is below the "standard" of $10k per person, but it is also not a lot of money to get a start out there. It would help a lot if you have friends etc that can accommodate you to start with.

One last thing, you don't mention your chargeability. Are you British or were you born somewhere else? Have you claimed chargeability to some other country?

Judging by his name, his country of chargebility is Poland. And I agree with you Simon, he might have a chance to get away with BTEC but it is a slim one.

 

[piotr95]

Piotr95, I'm sorry to say this but you do not currently meet the minimum education requirement.

The requirement for the DV lottery is an education equivalent to a US High school education. For an American, that means someone who is 18/19 and it is the point at which an American can enter University. So in the UK system, our High school is NOT at the right level. What they actually need is two full years of college and passes at A levels (and I'm not sure but I think you would have to have 3 A levels based on requirements for similar systems).

Your only option is to complete your BTEC course (level 3) and attend an interview after that point. I am NOT sure they would take the BTEC as an equivalent to 3 A levels (because strictly speaking, it isn't), but I can imagine they might accept it. If you attend the interview right now, you would most certainly be denied. Your age is about the minimum possible for DV so they are bound to be careful about what education you have. So, my advice is to delay your appointment until after you get your completion results in July - but be aware that because there is going to be a cutoff this year that will put you dangerously close to the cutoff point, so you could miss out anyway.

On to your other points, assuming you can overcome the education thing, there is no doubt that they will be wary of your ability to support yourself. £5k will go very quickly on travel, fees, and living expenses for the first few weeks, so it is below the "standard" of $10k per person, but it is also not a lot of money to get a start out there. It would help a lot if you have friends etc that can accommodate you to start with.

One last thing, you don't mention your chargeability. Are you British or were you born somewhere else? Have you claimed chargeability to some other country?

Hello, thank you for your answer, it definitely clears a lot of things up...

Noo way though, I was totally convinced that completing Level 2 would have been enough for university entry and thus meet the high school requirement ... it looks that, had I started Level 3 a year earlier there would have been no problem ... my college website puts BTEC Level 3 at an equivalent to 3 A levels and qualifies for UCAS points, and I know of people who went to US universities after graduating from this college, so I think they would have accepted it... damn. Do I definitely stand no chance in this siatuation?

I am a bit gobsmacked at the moment, because all the effort put into this turns out to have been a bit of a waste of time... maybe. :/ My case number is 14XXX so it seems like interviews around this number should be scheduled between Jan - March, would it make sense to attend my interviews original date, present all the documentation and then have them delay it? If not, how do I go about delaying my interview? I'm glad I posted on here because I was just about ready to get my police check and medicals done in December as I am in London then. Feeling a bit hopeless at the moment not gonna lie.

What is the cut off month for Europe normally?

I was born in Poland, I've lived in Jersey for 8 years now, that's why my post is in London.

Feeling a bit stupid now, don't really know how to handle this situation atm. :/
Either way, thank you for helping me out.

 

[Britsimon]

Hello, thank you for your answer, it definitely clears a lot of things up...

Noo way though, I was totally convinced that completing Level 2 would have been enough for university entry and thus meet the high school requirement ... it looks that, had I started Level 3 a year earlier there would have been no problem ... my college website puts BTEC Level 3 at an equivalent to 3 A levels and qualifies for UCAS points, and I know of people who went to US universities after graduating from this college, so I think they would have accepted it... damn. Do I definitely stand no chance in this siatuation?

I am a bit gobsmacked at the moment, because all the effort put into this turns out to have been a bit of a waste of time... maybe. :/ My case number is 14XXX so it seems like interviews around this number should be scheduled between Jan - March, would it make sense to attend my interviews original date, present all the documentation and then have them delay it? If not, how do I go about delaying my interview? I'm glad I posted on here because I was just about ready to get my police check and medicals done in December as I am in London then. Feeling a bit hopeless at the moment not gonna lie.

What is the cut off month for Europe normally?

I was born in Poland, I've lived in Jersey for 8 years now, that's why my post is in London.

Feeling a bit stupid now, don't really know how to handle this situation atm. :/
Either way, thank you for helping me out.

OK so it isn't hopeless but it isn't a slam dunk either.

First of all about timing. For many things, when you attend the interview if you are missing a document then yes you will be on Administrative Processing" (AP) while you then have time to get your document (be that weeks or days). So, you could attend the interview when scheduled and hope they put you on AP. However, this is such a fundamental issue, AND additionally there is a chance that you fail your BTEC level 3. So, on that basis they may just issue the denial straight away (because they sum up the whole scenario, including your lack of funds, and just decide not to give you a break. Personally I wouldn't risk that - but it is your choice.

I would check with the college when is the date that you would have your BTEC diploma in hand - once you know that, delay the interview until the soonest possible date after that date. Then you are presenting a stronger case. By the way - that gives you some time to get more money in your bank account which might help with the public charge aspect also.

Since you have to do police checks and medicals first, you will at least be risking those costs on the basis that they agree with your college that BTEC level 3 = 3 A levels.

By the way, I did BTEC. Level 1 is the same O level (high grade GCSEs) , Level 2 is AS level (and not good enough for UNi entry), level 3 should be enough, as long as the CO reads the right sources.

Regarding the cutoff - the one that worries me is the global cutoff - 50k visas. They have selected a lot of extra winners and this delay will mean you are competing with the higher case numbers. No one can predict yet when the cutoff will hit, but I think July will still be ok, and even August. But do things as fast as can be done.

You might want to discuss the delay with KCC. At the same time you could ask about the strategy of turning up in Feb. Perhaps others here have an opinion on that too. My ONLY concern about that is if you don't get AP. If you could be sure not to get an immediate denial, then that would indeed be the best idea...

 

[piotr95]

OK so it isn't hopeless but it isn't a slam dunk either.

First of all about timing. For many things, when you attend the interview if you are missing a document then yes you will be on Administrative Processing" (AP) while you then have time to get your document (be that weeks or days). So, you could attend the interview when scheduled and hope they put you on AP. However, this is such a fundamental issue, AND additionally there is a chance that you fail your BTEC level 3. So, on that basis they may just issue the denial straight away (because they sum up the whole scenario, including your lack of funds, and just decide not to give you a break. Personally I wouldn't risk that - but it is your choice.

I would check with the college when is the date that you would have your BTEC diploma in hand - once you know that, delay the interview until the soonest possible date after that date. Then you are presenting a stronger case. By the way - that gives you some time to get more money in your bank account which might help with the public charge aspect also.

Since you have to do police checks and medicals first, you will at least be risking those costs on the basis that they agree with your college that BTEC level 3 = 3 A levels.

By the way, I did BTEC. Level 1 is the same O level (high grade GCSEs) , Level 2 is AS level (and not good enough for UNi entry), level 3 should be enough, as long as the CO reads the right sources.

Regarding the cutoff - the one that worries me is the global cutoff - 50k visas. They have selected a lot of extra winners and this delay will mean you are competing with the higher case numbers. No one can predict yet when the cutoff will hit, but I think July will still be ok, and even August. But do things as fast as can be done.

You might want to discuss the delay with KCC. At the same time you could ask about the strategy of turning up in Feb. Perhaps others here have an opinion on that too. My ONLY concern about that is if you don't get AP. If you could be sure not to get an immediate denial, then that would indeed be the best idea...

Okay, so let me make sure I understand correctly

The best option would be to find out when I will be getting my diploma, then delay until as soon as possible after that date. But how exactly do I ask them to delay it? Is that still AP? I'm not quite sure if you mean that I can only delay by attending and then trying to get them to put me on AP or if I can simply contact them about it.

If you mean the former, then I have to get my police check and medical done, and then attend on the original date as normal, am I following right? Then I present my case and situation and hope they put me on AP? If I get put on AP, then it will probably be around a couple of months to finish college and get my diploma, when normally they only give you days/weeks? Which means I would have to go back and present the new documents? Correct me if I'm wrong, just a bit of an annoying/confusing situation :/ It would be a right shame to lose my fairly low case number and get put at the back of the queue.

I should also inquire KCC about my situation, and what do you mean by the strategy of turning up in February?
If I get an immediate denial, are there other consequences other than obviously not getting the GC?

Sorry for the question overload, just an unusual situation :/ Thanks so much for helping me out though.

 

[Lyxie]

On to your other points, assuming you can overcome the education thing, there is no doubt that they will be wary of your ability to support yourself. £5k will go very quickly on travel, fees, and living expenses for the first few weeks, so it is below the "standard" of $10k per person, but it is also not a lot of money to get a start out there. It would help a lot if you have friends etc that can accommodate you to start with.

You scared me too. I am in my finale year too (master degree) and I never thought they could ask us for more than 8000 euros per person. I do have some friends in the US but I really don't want to ask them to go through the affidavit of support thing which is a LOT to ask. They could maybe write a letter where they can certify they will like host me at the beginning but that's it...
I also plan to send some resumes to try to get a job offer or at least emails exchanged which can prove that people are interested in my profile.
What do you think ?
(I am 26, I traveled a lot and did some interns and volunteer staff.)

Is there anyone else in the same situation than me / us ?

Why should it be a problem to be a student .... That means we have potential, doesn't it ?!

 

[Britsimon]

You scared me too. I am in my finale year too (master degree) and I never thought they could ask us for more than 8000 euros per person. I do have some friends in the US but I really don't want to ask them to go through the affidavit of support thing which is a LOT to ask. They could maybe write a letter where they can certify they will like host me at the beginning but that's it...
I also plan to send some resumes to try to get a job offer or at least emails exchanged which can prove that people are interested in my profile.
What do you think ?
(I am 26, I traveled a lot and did some interns and volunteer staff.)

Is there anyone else in the same situation than me / us ?

Why should it be a problem to be a student .... That means we have potential, doesn't it ?!

8000 Euros is more than $10k so that would be enough - and it isn't a concrete sum anyway. Also, many times they don't even ask, BUT if asked you need to have the documentation...

 

[SusieQQQ]

Okay, so let me make sure I understand correctly

The best option would be to find out when I will be getting my diploma, then delay until as soon as possible after that date. But how exactly do I ask them to delay it? Is that still AP? I'm not quite sure if you mean that I can only delay by attending and then trying to get them to put me on AP or if I can simply contact them about it.

If you mean the former, then I have to get my police check and medical done, and then attend on the original date as normal, am I following right? Then I present my case and situation and hope they put me on AP? If I get put on AP, then it will probably be around a couple of months to finish college and get my diploma, when normally they only give you days/weeks? Which means I would have to go back and present the new documents? Correct me if I'm wrong, just a bit of an annoying/confusing situation :/ It would be a right shame to lose my fairly low case number and get put at the back of the queue.

I should also inquire KCC about my situation, and what do you mean by the strategy of turning up in February?
If I get an immediate denial, are there other consequences other than obviously not getting the GC?

Sorry for the question overload, just an unusual situation :/ Thanks so much for helping me out though.

Might I suggest that the first thing you do is contact the London embassy to get them to clarify whether or not they would accept your qualifications (at present or when you graduate)? Once you have that answer you can start with thinking about Plan B.

 

[piotr95]

Might I suggest that the first thing you do is contact the London embassy to get them to clarify whether or not they would accept your qualifications (at present or when you graduate)? Once you have that answer you can start with thinking about Plan B.

Yes, that sounds like the best thing to do first, actually. Thank you for that

I'm guessing the best way to go about this would be to explain that I completed BTEC Level 2 and am working on Level 3, and the complications with the dates of the interview and when I actually receive my diploma etc... and what they think about this, if there is even any point in attempting the interview, both before and after.

Each new complication like this means another trip to London for me, as Jersey is only a small island, so of course I'd like to keep that to the minimum, but am willing to try my best. Thanks SusieQQQ

 

[Britsimon]

I checked on the UCLA website and their admission standard is 5 GCSEs plus 3 A levels (at high grades). That is pretty much the norm for UK Universities also - so I am 99% sure that the US Embassy should treat that as their standard, but they might accept 2 A levels. Worth calling though to confirm as Susie suggested.

Then I looked at the BTEC rating. UCAS will take it as equivalent to 3 A levels IF you achieve a BTEC national diploma. This document has a fairly nice ranking (on page 6). Page 8 shows the UCAS points values for various passes on the national diploma/certificate etc.

http://www.edexcel.com/quals/introd/Documents/BTEC_Parents_Guide.pdf

This site describes entry requirements

Also this is the UCAS tariff for University entry requirements.
http://www.ucas.com/how-it-all-works/explore-your-options/entry-requirements/tariff-tables

 

[SusieQQQ]

Yes, that sounds like the best thing to do first, actually. Thank you for that

I'm guessing the best way to go about this would be to explain that I completed BTEC Level 2 and am working on Level 3, and the complications with the dates of the interview and when I actually receive my diploma etc... and what they think about this, if there is even any point in attempting the interview, both before and after.

Each new complication like this means another trip to London for me, as Jersey is only a small island, so of course I'd like to keep that to the minimum, but am willing to try my best. Thanks SusieQQQ

You certainly don't need to travel there just to ask - call or email. If they won't accept your current education and you can't postpone the interview, then there is no point going - they have no leeway on the education requirement, if it's not met they have to deny you the visa.

 

[piotr95]

I checked on the UCLA website and their admission standard is 5 GCSEs plus 3 A levels (at high grades). That is pretty much the norm for UK Universities also - so I am 99% sure that the US Embassy should treat that as their standard, but they might accept 2 A levels. Worth calling though to confirm as Susie suggested.

Then I looked at the BTEC rating. UCAS will take it as equivalent to 3 A levels IF you achieve a BTEC national diploma. This document has a fairly nice ranking (on page 6). Page 8 shows the UCAS points values for various passes on the national diploma/certificate etc.

http://www.edexcel.com/quals/introd/Documents/BTEC_Parents_Guide.pdf

This site describes entry requirements

Also this is the UCAS tariff for University entry requirements.
http://www.ucas.com/how-it-all-works/explore-your-options/entry-requirements/tariff-tables

Sorry for the late reply.
Thank you, I found this very useful. I will be contacting the US Embassy London today and see what they say.

I am on a BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma.
(BTEC National Diploma= 18 units covered over 2 years under the old specification
BTEC Extended Diploma= 18 units covered over 2 yrs under the new specification)

 

[piotr95]

You certainly don't need to travel there just to ask - call or email. If they won't accept your current education and you can't postpone the interview, then there is no point going - they have no leeway on the education requirement, if it's not met they have to deny you the visa.

I know I know, I meant travelling for interviews and medicals
I will be contacting them today and see what happens. Thanks for your help

 

[Britsimon]

Sorry for the late reply.
Thank you, I found this very useful. I will be contacting the US Embassy London today and see what they say.

I am on a BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma.
(BTEC National Diploma= 18 units covered over 2 years under the old specification
BTEC Extended Diploma= 18 units under covered over 2 yrs under the specification)

So you are doing the right course, it is probably just a matter of timing - and you do have options to control the timing if the Embassy confirm the shortfall in the education.

 

[cto]

Education

Hi dear,
I have a certificate from the ministry of higher education in my country 'two years in computer programming' from a college after high school. So, what should I check as the highest level of education completed on the DSP-122 form:

high school, no degree
high school diploma
vocational school
college, no degree
university degree
advanced degree
other

regards,

 

[samolaniyi]

Hi dear,
I have a certificate from the ministry of higher education in my country 'two years in computer programming' from a college after high school. So, what should I check as the highest level of education completed on the DSP-122 form:

high school, no degree
high school diploma
vocational school
college, no degree
university degree
advanced degree
other

regards,

Your highest qualification is high school certificate.