Hello,
I am planning on applying to do a PhD in the US in the next year or so. I hold a Bachelors in Computer Science and will hold an MSc degree when I apply to PhD. I have a strong academic record, was highly ranked in my class and hold some awards from throughout my academic career.
Here's the difficulty. For the last year or so I have been dating an american citizen. We met in my home country, and were together for many months and decided to go long distance when she went back to the US. For this reason mostly, I have been to the US six times between 2008 to 2009. We have since broken up, but it was ME who ended the relationship.
I have been for three reasons in total, the first time I was visiting a relative who was a postdoc in california for a year (he has since returned, didn't overstay). I also stayed with my girlfriend on this occasion.
The next four times, I was visiting my girlfriend, period.
The last time I was there, I was presenting an academic paper at a conference, which had my name on it. However, I also visited my now Ex-girlfriend on that occasion.
I have never overstayed, and I have records of EVERYTHING (flights, accommodation, conference admission etc). If need be, my ex girlfriend and I are still very close and she could testify to all of this story, as could her family who I am still on very good terms with.
The fact is now, that I honestly have no intention to use the F1 visa as a way to stay in the US, and really want to study there. To be absolutely honest, I am open to the fact of staying after it, as many people do. The key thing is that I am not abusing it, but it could be taken that way.
Also, I'm not sure how I would demonstrate ties to my home country. All of my family are here, and thats about it.
I am quite concerned about this, as if I was refused, it would put me in a bad situation, a situation I could avoid if I didn't attempt this. On this note, I would be incredibly grateful if people could give some judgment on the likelihood of a denial.
Thank you very much
I am planning on applying to do a PhD in the US in the next year or so. I hold a Bachelors in Computer Science and will hold an MSc degree when I apply to PhD. I have a strong academic record, was highly ranked in my class and hold some awards from throughout my academic career.
Here's the difficulty. For the last year or so I have been dating an american citizen. We met in my home country, and were together for many months and decided to go long distance when she went back to the US. For this reason mostly, I have been to the US six times between 2008 to 2009. We have since broken up, but it was ME who ended the relationship.
I have been for three reasons in total, the first time I was visiting a relative who was a postdoc in california for a year (he has since returned, didn't overstay). I also stayed with my girlfriend on this occasion.
The next four times, I was visiting my girlfriend, period.
The last time I was there, I was presenting an academic paper at a conference, which had my name on it. However, I also visited my now Ex-girlfriend on that occasion.
I have never overstayed, and I have records of EVERYTHING (flights, accommodation, conference admission etc). If need be, my ex girlfriend and I are still very close and she could testify to all of this story, as could her family who I am still on very good terms with.
The fact is now, that I honestly have no intention to use the F1 visa as a way to stay in the US, and really want to study there. To be absolutely honest, I am open to the fact of staying after it, as many people do. The key thing is that I am not abusing it, but it could be taken that way.
Also, I'm not sure how I would demonstrate ties to my home country. All of my family are here, and thats about it.
I am quite concerned about this, as if I was refused, it would put me in a bad situation, a situation I could avoid if I didn't attempt this. On this note, I would be incredibly grateful if people could give some judgment on the likelihood of a denial.
Thank you very much