19/02/2022
Visa Type: F-1
Interview Date: 14th February 2022 (Scheduled Time 1:00 PM)
Entered Embassy: 12:40 PM
Interview Started: Around 1:10 PM
Result: Approved
CEAC Status: Issued on 15th February
Passport Request: 15th February
Intended University: University of Arkansas
Program: Master in Information Systems (Graduate Assistantship [full tuition waiver +66% health insurance +$1250 monthly stipend], i-20 deficit: $3520)
Program Start: Summer 2022 (May 2022)
VO Description: Young red haired white lady at counter 9
Interview Duration: 2-3 minutes
************Conversation with the VO************
VO: Good Afternoon!
Me: Hello, Good afternoon ma'am.
VO: Pass me your i-20 and passport.
Me: Sure, here you go.
VO: So, you are going for Master's. Congratulations!
Me: Thank you ma'am.
VO: Why did you choose this program here?
Me: Well, University of Arkansas is the highest ranked University in the state of Arkansas. Their Business School is...
At this point she stopped me and asked me no I was asking how did you choose this program.
Me: Oh Sorry ma'am. I was searching for MIS program offered by Business Schools that are most compatible with my profile. That's how I found this university. One of my friends also recommended me to take a look into this particular program at UArk. After going through their curriculum I was convinced that it is perfectly suited for my career goals..
At this moment another VO from a nearby counter came to her and asked her something. So, I stopped talking. They talked for a minute or so. When he left I was unsure whether I should resume answering.
VO: Are you married?
Me: No.
VO: Have you been to USA before?
Me: No ma'am.
VO: Have you traveled out of your country?
Me: No.
While asking me these questions she was typing the whole time in her computer. After finished typing I saw her writing 'fully funded' in a piece of paper.
VO: Who will sponsor your deficits?
Me: My father will sponsor that money.
VO: What does he do?
Me: He owns a textile business in Narayanganj. He also owns..
VO: How much does he make?
Me: Around 2 Lakhs taka per month.
VO: Say in dollars per year.
Me: 20000 dollars a year.
VO: How many employees work for him?
Me: More or less 60 employees in the factories and stores.
She took my passport and kept it in a side tray and passed my i-20 back.
VO: Your passport should be ready in two weeks.
Me: Thank you so much! You made my day.
** She didn’t give me any blue leaflet and I also forgot to ask for one. My Bad!!!
My Profile:
BSc. in CSE (NSU), CGPA: 3.05
GRE: 314 (V 154, Q 160, AWA 3.5)
TOEFL: 102 (R 29, L 26, S 23, W 24)
Job Experience: Software Developer (7 months) + managing my own business (1 year and running)
Publications: 0
List of other Universities that I applied to:
1. University of Nevada Las Vegas (MIS), Spring 2022 deferred to Fall 2022 (Accepted + funding decision pending)
2. Texas State University (MS Data Analytics), Fall 2022 (Accepted + funding decision pending)
3. University of Tennessee - Knoxville (MS Business Analytics), Summer 2022 (Accepted + No fund)
4. University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee (MS Information Technology Management), Fall 2022 (Accepted + funding decision pending)
5. University of Arkansas at Little Rock(MS in Information Quality), Fall 2022 (Accepted + funding decision pending)
6. Baylor University (MIS), Spring 2022 (Rejected)
7. Memorial University of Newfoundland (MS Management- Information Management), Fall 2022 (Accepted with 15500 CAD/year [SGS+Supervisor grant])
Tips for the interview :
1. Before 30 minutes of your interview, please go to the main gate and wait there. And try to wear formal outfits as most of the applicants do. Otherwise, you might feel bit awkward.
2. After entering the embassy you need not to worry. The embassy staff will guide you. So pay attention to their directions, and you will be alright.
Finally, recite lots of dua before attending your interview and ask for Allah's help and blessings. Trust yourself, surely you will have your desired outcome.