F1 Visa Interview experience of Dhruva Kumar at Mumbai Consulate on 11-11-2014

Rejected twice for summer semester 2014 for NPU.

(1st attempt) Chennai 31/03/2014 - the VO suggested me to change the university and come again. But I didn't change the university and attended again on 09/04/2014 at Hyderabad he too rejected.

Approved in Mumbai 10/11/2014, 11:00 AM slot for Harrisburg University of Science and Technology.

Reached the consulate by 9AM. Waited outside till 10:30AM. Stood in the queue for almost 45 minutes. The environment was cool most of them got their Visas approved. There were no token numbers. A security guy directed me towards my interview counter.

Before me, 1 F1 Visa approved for NPU. That guy was so tensed and he was unable to speak but VO gave him enough time to speak and repeated most of the questions and approved his Visa. I got confidence that I can make it. I stood beside the guy with smile on my face.

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VO: waived his hand to come forward

Me: Good morning sir!

VO: Good morning, pass me your Passport, I-20, SEVIS.

Me: Passed my docs. He returned me the SEVIS.

VO: How did you choose this university?

Me: (Dumb struck. The answer was running in my mind but I could not speak.) My UG Professor suggested me this university. I have spoken to some current students through international student pages and they gave me a positive feedback on this university.

VO: (typing and typing) Which year passed out?

Me: 2013

VO: (typing for 3 minutes)

VO: Have you applied for H1B?

Me: No, sir

VO: Then why don't you apply for H1B?

Me: Sir, I want to gain more knowledge in my subjects first.

VO: How many universities did you apply?

Me: Atlantis University and VIU.

VO: Atlantis University? (with a big blank face, he didn't know the university even existed.)

Me: Yes sir! It's in Miami.

VO: He started reading my previous interviews.

VO: You have attended an interview couple of times

Me: Yes sir

VO: So, how many backlogs do u have? ( I was asked the same question in Hyderabad and that was the main reason for my rejection. He even checked my transcripts in Hyderabad. )

Me: 22 sir

VO: (He kept his hand on his face and said,) What 22 ???????

Me: Yes sir, 22

VO: Why do you have these many backlogs?

Me: Sir, I used to lead my college BasketBall team. I have all by backlogs in my first three sems.

VO: Yes man! But why do you have these many?

Me: (I didn't know what to say my heart beat increased but I maintained the smile on my face) Sir, I am a BasketBall champ and I run a BasketBall academy (so and so.)

VO: Then why don't you go and play BasketBall?

Me: No sir, I want to study and improve my knowledge.

VO: Was your father mad at you?

Me: Yes sir, at first he used to be. Now he is fine.

VO: (typing typing, I thought my Visa rejected but still smiling..)

VO: How are you going to fund your education?

Me: My father is a business man and my mother is a state government employee. So I can easily pay for my education.

VO: What changes did you make after your last interview?

Me: Sir I was very nervous that time but now I am very much confident. (took a pause and said) I even changed the university.

VO: (typed for some time and said) Ok man I think you should get a chance and I am giving you. Please collect your Passport in a few days.

Me: (I smiled) Thank you sir! Thank you so much (and ran out of the consulate)

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Be confident. Make an eye contact and keep smiling!