Laser
how many of them are independent reviewers, i.e., do not know you or worked with you before?
Out of five, three I have worked with. And two I knew with the contacts.
How did you prepare the recommendations? Someone told me that those letters should be sealed and addressed to INS. Is it true?
My lawyer provided me with the sample letters. and I have actually given them to my referees. Who modified them according to my research and background. And they mailed me back open and i mailed them to the lawyer. So I dont think INS care about the open or close, only thing they care is it should be on official letterhead.
Does your 5-6 publications refer to journal papers? And what is the agency that supports your research?
Yeah all of them are in journal, actually had only three published one accepted and couple of them in review. part of My phd research was with NIH.