Hello,
Thanks for a very informative forum. I am a tenure-track assistant professor in a mid-size private university. I am currently on a TN-1 status (though I am not originally from Canada).
I want to file my I-140 & 485 concurrently since my priority date has been current for my place of birth for quite some time. Here are my credentials:
Education/Experience: 3 Years (Earned PhD in 2006)
Discipline: Social Sciences
Publications:
Recognition/Impact:
Judge of the work of others:
Major Prizes/Recognition
None (hopefully, one day)
Hopefully, towards the end of 2010, I want to apply for EB1a (Outstanding Researcher Category). My University has recommended an attorney to handle my application. The attorney is charging close to $7,000 for me and my two kids; filling fees extra - this is for both I-140 and I-485 (though the firm is willing to work out a payment plan after an initial down payment).
Given the expense involved, is it advisable that I represent myself and file the papers (but then get help for specific issues: review of the application package, RFE, appeals, etc)?
Has anyone here in a similar situation followed a similar path?
thanks for your help ... Lisa
Thanks for a very informative forum. I am a tenure-track assistant professor in a mid-size private university. I am currently on a TN-1 status (though I am not originally from Canada).
I want to file my I-140 & 485 concurrently since my priority date has been current for my place of birth for quite some time. Here are my credentials:
Education/Experience: 3 Years (Earned PhD in 2006)
Discipline: Social Sciences
Publications:
- Number of peer reviewed publications: 2 (2 more are provisionally accepted pending revisions)
- Other publications: 4 (Two book chapters - one in a book published by Cambridge University Press; three Canadian government sponsored research reports)
- About 15 presentations at National and International conferences (mainly US & Canada)
- I know my publication record need to be beefed up a bit, and I expect to get more stuff out next year.
Recognition/Impact:
- Citation: One of my co-authored publications - which is about 9 years old - has been cited about 100 times; all the newer publications (those published since 2006 have been cited about 20 times)
- National / International Impact: Acts as a pro-bono consultant for a US federal agency on a specific issue in my area of research; works as a contract researcher for a Canadian municipal government and a university-affiliated research centre.
Judge of the work of others:
- Reviewer of manuscripts for 4 journals;
- One book reviewer (would finish one more in the next year)
Major Prizes/Recognition
None (hopefully, one day)
Hopefully, towards the end of 2010, I want to apply for EB1a (Outstanding Researcher Category). My University has recommended an attorney to handle my application. The attorney is charging close to $7,000 for me and my two kids; filling fees extra - this is for both I-140 and I-485 (though the firm is willing to work out a payment plan after an initial down payment).
Given the expense involved, is it advisable that I represent myself and file the papers (but then get help for specific issues: review of the application package, RFE, appeals, etc)?
Has anyone here in a similar situation followed a similar path?
thanks for your help ... Lisa