I-20 Acceptance and impact on transfer

[sekharan]

Had applied to 5 schools for my Masters in Architecture and have got accepted by all of them this month.

The schools are expensive and I will not be able to afford paying for them from my savings - hence had applied for scholarships too.

Out of the 5 schools, 2 have agreed to give me full scholarship and the rest will give me a non resident fee waiver and free boarding + TA.

Unfortunately, the schools that have agreed to give me full schol. will not be processing and mailing me my I-20 before June.

The other 3 have already mailed me the I-20s and emailed me the details.

The problem here is that this is the peak season for Visa applications - H1, L1, F1 etc.

1. Would it be harder than normal to get a date for Visa interview probably before July?
2. Can I somehow check the available Visa interview dates at a paarticular counsolate?
3. Can I appear for the Visa interview using any one of the I-20 available with me right now ( although I will not be attending the school ) and then change to a school that is going to send its I-20 late?

It's probably hard to get Visa interview dates this time of the year - hence I am panicking.

Suggestions please!

 

[HKAndy]

Answer to (1) and (2): You need to check with the US Consulate by you to determine their policy of appointment. Many of them have websites for that matter. If everything is in order, visa interview if a pretty smooth process. They usually tell you whether your visa app is approved or denied.

Answer to (3): It's not advisable to use I-20 of one of the other 3 schools because you MUST show fundings for the whole program since none of the three will give you any scholarship or TA and that fact is shown on the I-20. Even if you can show funding for one of those three school, you will then have to report to that school physcally and request a SEVIS transfer to the school you plan to attend. The issue is that many DSO is also very busy during the summer with orientations and new student registrations. If they are already displease that you used them just to get your F1, they can delay the process. They cannot, however, deny transferring you out. But you can see they can make your life hard. So don't do it. Do it right from the beginning so you don't mess anything up.

The above is not legal advice. When in doubt, seek the help of an attorney.

 

[sekharan]

If they are already displease that you used them just to get your F1, they can delay the process. They cannot, however, deny transferring you out. But you can see they can make your life hard. So don't do it. Do it right from the beginning so you don't mess anything up.

HKAndy, pretty good advice - what you say makes sense.

Keep up the good work!