Help!! Unplesent International Advisor

[Kapil101]

Hi Guys - UNPLESENT INTERNATIONAL ADVISOR

had a question in regards to my brother who is doing his MS and is on an F1 visa.

He is completing his course work this dec (dec 6) and is planning to leave for India in mid dec for vacation. Although he will be completing all his couse work this dec, he was under the impression that he could register for 3 more couses(to be full time) for next semister and then go to India for vacation. He was then thinking of completing these thee additional courses after he gets back from India and apply for graduation and then PT.

Unfortunately, his foreign student advisor is not listning to this and has asked him to apply for a PT right away. She says he is ineligable to take more course as he will be completing his cousework this dec. She has asked him to apply for a PT right away and then leave for India, if he likes. Another option is to apply for a second major and then go to india. but then she says, if he does apply a second major, he will be ineligable to apply for PT for the first major that he will complete this dec , and will have to wait till he graduates from his second major befor he can apply for PT.

I am really concerned as all travel plans are made. I have few questions, can anyone please suggest ?? Jaxon, Anna, any of your thoughts???

1. Under these circumstances, what will be the best thing for him to do in order to travel to India and apply for PT?

2. should he apply for second major? if so. then can he just take 3 courses for next sem and them drop this major and then apply for his pt for the 1st major that he will completing this dec?

THE INTERNATIONAL ADVISOR IS NOT VERY FRIENDLY AND IS GIVING HIM A VERY HARD TIME.

Can anyone PLEASE suggest the best alternative? that he can travel to india for 3 weeks and them come back apply for PT? Can he take a Incomplete in the courses and leave for India? PLEASE ADVISE

Thanks
Kapil

 

[Raj1994]

The international advisor does not have a say in deciding when the student graduates. He/she simply follows the recommendation of the concerned department. If the department states that you are done, then you have no choice. Other details might be important. When does his I-20 expire.

The international advisor is wrong on two things: (1) If you apply for practical training after completion of studies and leave the country before receiving the EAD card, then your application is abandoned. You will NOT be able to re-enter the US.
If at all, you should travel after receiving the EAD. Even then, a recent signature on the I-20 from the international advisor is needed. (2) If you are a double major/double MS holder, you can get OPT based on either one of the two fields.

Best strategy should have been to appy for the OPT earlier and get the EAD well before Dec 6, but thats a bit late I guess. Dropping a course without sufficient reason is not recommended as that would put you out of status if you dont take a full load without premission. Taking an imcomplete would work only if the international advisor puts a recent signature on the I-20, and if the I-20 has not expired. If you graduate and leave without applying for OPT, then you CANNOT re-enter the US.

Try the following: Ask the department or faculty supervisor to povide a letter stating that the three courses are important, or register for thesis work etc.


Unrelated note: BTW, from now on, I am less inclined to answer queries posted on behalf of "friend/brother/others" etc. Doesnt the friend have internet access!