Who Said US Student Visa Is Tuff?
Start by doing what’s necessary, then what’s possible, and suddenly you’re doing the impossible
Some sample Visa Interview Questions and answers that students must prepare for, before their visa interview, are given below. These questions are in no particular order. Students must remember the model answers well, as these statistics/ facts provided might help impress the entry clearance officer enough, to get them to grant a visa to you.
Why do you want to go to the US to study (this answer is to be given if the question is why the US as a destination country. If the question is why UNA, then you don’t give this answer. The answer to that is given below in sr. no. 2)?
The US has always been the most preferred destination for International students because education in the US is considered to be the best in the world with excellent academic standards, University infrastructure, research facilities, course flexibility and the multi-cultural experience. Most students from India prefer to go to the US, for the reasons above, hence according to the Open Doors Survey by the US Institute of International Education (IIE), India sent 79,736 students to the US for higher education in 2003-2004. In fact Indian students now make up a sizeable 14% of all foreign students in the US. Over 100,000 Indian students apply for admission to US universities every year. I would like to give my career an edge, with a quality education experience which will give me the knowledge and skills that are required in today’s corporate world. I feel this is possible through education in the US.
Why have you chosen University of North Alabama?
(Please mention the following reasons on why you chose UNA as the University where you want to do your program);
- University of North Alabama is an accredited State owned controlled and funded university. This means it is government owned and controlled, which is important to me as an Indian student, considering the number of private and low quality institutions promoting in India these days to recruit students.
- UNA is 175 years old, which means it has a long History and tradition behind it. It surely must be a quality institution to have survived this long.
- It is also selected as the ‘Best Buy in Higher education’ by US News & World Report, which is very reputable source of information on US Universities. Best buy would generally mean, quality at an affordable price.
- The town Florence in Alabama State, where UNA is located, is ranked as the 5th safest city, in US according to F.B.I. Crime Reports. My family feels very secure with this fact.
- Besides, Alabama State and Florence city is not expensive to live in, compared to other cities in the US, like New York, New Jersey, Los Angeles, San Diego, etc. Hence this also makes the experience more viable for the students from India.
Why have you chosen this course/ program of study?
Undergraduate students can speak about their specific interests and how the course they have applied for, consists of the same. They should be able to talk about their course structure over here.
For students with a business Bachelor’s degree (Bcom, BBA, BBM or any other Business Bachelors degree), say that doing an MBA is a logical step forward as far as my higher education is concerned. Hence if MBA applicants who have done their Bcom, BBA, BBM are asked why they have chosen this course, they must mention that
I have done my Bachelor’s in Business and hence would like to go on and do my Master’s in Business as well. And since MBA is the Premier Business Qualification (the topmost business qualification), I have chosen to do that.
For students from Engineering or any other background going for MBA program, when they are asked this question, they could say
Being an engineering/technical graduate (or any other stream) there is only a particular level in the company hierarchy where I can reach because all top positions are held by management professionals. However, if I can top up my existing Bachelors degree in a non- business area, with an MBA, I will get that extra edge that is required to climb the corporate ladder to the top! Besides, Engineering and Management (if students are from an Engineering background) are supposed to be an ideal combination as far as employers are concerned, as I would bring with me a technical as well as business background to the job!
For students from other backgrounds, please say the same thing as above.
Special answer for students going for MBA-Health Care Management after MBBS/B.Pharm
The role of Health Care Administrator begins from Planning to directing, coordinating and supervising the delivery of Health Care. With Health Care Industry of India growing at great pace Medical/Pharmacy graduates are increasingly being absorbed in hospitals, nursing homes and other medical establishments as hospital managers and health care administrators, for the smooth administration of any medical establishment and its staff, it helps to be formerly trained in health care administration., otherwise most of the time people learn by hit-and-trail method.
The course in health care administration/Management usually provides inputs on organizational behaviour, health economics, organizational research, health plan, strategic management, how to design a hospital requirements of a hospital, design of operation theatre, national health programme, medico-legal acts, waste managemen, international health regulations, comparative health administration, accountancy and so on. All these learning areas will help me to become a good qualified Hospital Manager or Health Care Administrator.
Have you applied to any other university?
You will have to answer this according to what the truth is. If you have not applied to other Universities, do not worry. You may say to the officer interviewing you, that
“
I have browsed through other University websites like Yale, Harvard, Stanford, etc, and found that the fees were very expensive, in the range of $70,000 to $100,000. And living expenses of Columbia University, New York State University, University of Southern California, etc, were also high as they are in the bigger cities in the US. When I came across University of North Alabama, in Florence, Alabama, I thought that this was a perfect fit, as the University was State Owned, 175 years old, in a city, which is more affordable, and the fees of the University are also more affordable, hence I did not apply elsewhere.
If you did apply to other Universities too, please mention where else you applied. Then you may state that in spite of applying to other Universities, you selected UNA finally, due to the above reasons mentioned.
Do you have your test scores ie. TOEFL/ IELTS and GMAT/ GRE?
Please keep these scores handy, and as they ask this question, please answer by mentioning your test score, and at the same time, while talking, remove your test scores from your bunch of papers, and keep it in front of the entry clearance officer.
If you don’t have a test score, please collect from TASMAC-Ahmedabad office, a letter from UNA, which mentions that students, who have a particular academic achievement, do not need TOEFL/ IELTS or GMAT/ GRE. This letter from UNA mentions that students who have more than 60% in English in 10th and 12th do not need TOEFL/ IELTS and students who have a first class aggregate in their Bachelors degree do not need a GMAT/ GRE score for admission. If you belong to this category, and are asked a question at the interview about your TOEFL/ IELTS or GMAT/ GRE, please answer the question, and at the same time, while answering, please keep this letter in front of the entry clearance officer. This will help them understand that not only do you have a valid answer but also evidence to support this answer.
What do you plan to do after you graduate? / How do I know you'll come back after your education? / Why would you want to come back to India and not work in US after your course completion (or any question related to coming back to India after the course/ working in the US after the course/ plans for the future)?
This is one of the most common questions, which you must be prepared to answer. Under no circumstances, should you mention that you are interested in working in the US, after your course is over. Even if the visa officer asks you ‘what if you get a job in the US’ please tell him that you will not work in the US, as you have certain responsibilities towards the family and also want to come back to work in India.
There are two categories of students generally and they can answer such questions according to what’s mentioned below;
A) For students who have a family business to come back to, please take along with you a set of the following documents;
- Letter from your company signed by the Managing Director (MD)/ Proprietor addressed ‘To Whomsoever It May Concern’ stating that you are one of the sons/ daughters etc of the company and are expected to come back after the course in the University abroad gets over. It should mention that this course is being undertaken by you, to equip yourself with the knowledge and skills required at a global/ international level, to come back and use that knowledge and skills for the growth of your own company. The MD should also mention that he is attaching the Profit & Loss Statement of the company, the Balance Sheet of the company and Registration Certificate of the company, to give more information on the company background. This letter at the bottom should have a paragraph, which mentions ‘For any further clarifications, please do not hesitate to contact me on _______ (landline) and ________ (mobile)’. By giving the landline and mobile numbers, the Managing Director/ Proprietor of the company (even if he/ she is your immediate family member) is demonstrating the interest, seriousness and commitment towards your visa application.
- Please staple/ attach to this letter, the Balance Sheet, Profit & Loss Account statement, and the Registration Certificate of the company (Memorandum and Articles of Association if available too) for the visa officer to look through if that is of interest to him.
B) For students who do not have a family business to come back to, you should mention
“
India today, is one of the 4 fastest growing economies in the world, after the US, China and Japan, according to a recent article that was published in the Times of India. I would like to come back to my country after my education, as my countries economy is on the rise and I would like to take advantage of that (Here Health Care Administration/Management students can also speak about growing Health care Industry of India and increasing Job opportunities in Health care Industry), and work amongst my own people. Besides, I also have a very strong connection with my family and would like to be close to them. I think the qualification I want to do at UNA will help me in getting a good job in my country itself (then go on to explain what is mentioned below).
I am studying for this qualification, not only to update my knowledge in the field of business, but also to gain an edge in the employment market in India, over other students who have the same qualification from an Indian Institution. As far as Indian institutions are concerned, there are only top 10 Business Schools, which are worth going into;
- The 5 IIM’s (Indian Institutes of Management)
- S.P.Jain institute
- Jamnalal Bajaj
- NMIMS
- XLRI
- FMS
The other institutions apart from the above top ten, are not consistent with quality and infrastructure. Even the employers are aware of this fact. Hence, after my course in UNA, when I return to India, I am confident that the employers will value my degree qualification because;
1. I will have studied in an Accredited University
2. In the United States of America, which means that it must have had certain quality education standards, unlike the 1000 + business schools in India (apart from the top ten).
3. I will be exposed to a different world in terms of living and learning, which would also show well on my personality and confidence.
4. I will have the ability to work with people of different cultures, as I will be studying with students from different countries and will work on assignments/ projects with them. Which in future, will help me in working with multicultural teams. And I think this is a big advantage in the corporate world today, which the employers are well aware of.
These factors will obviously make the employer feel that I have an edge over other students applying for the same job in the organization. Hence I feel that getting a good job in India, will not be a problem at all when I come back (Be confident when you say this)
Who is paying for your education and what is his/her income/ Please show me your financial documents/ what is your financial status (or any question related to the financial status)?
Please keep a set of the following documents ready, exactly in the order as mentioned below, to tackle this question,
a. Affidavit of Support.
b. A Statement from a Chartered Accountant (CA) giving the details of the money available in separate bank accounts, fixed deposit schemes, etc and amounts exactly as reflected in the accounts, fixed deposit receipts. (Also know as summary or Utilization sheet sealed and singed by CA)
c. Copies of the bank statements/ passbook(s) as mentioned in (b.) above, in the same order. Please highlight the amount reflected on the bank statement/ passbook/ fixed deposit, etc with a green highlighter. The fact that the visa officer will see the amount on the CA statement and then compare it with the highlighted amount on your bank statements, fixed deposit receipts, etc., will help him decide in your favour.
d. Valuation Report of Fixed Properties
e. Bank loan letter (if you are taking a bank loan).
f. Income Tax Returns of your sponsor(s).
g. Balance Sheet of the company (if your father’s company is sponsoring you).
h. Profit and Loss Account statement of the company (if your father’s company is sponsoring you).
For all questions related to financial capability/ documents, please start by saying;
“
I have the financial capability to do this program, and have Rs. _____ which is $ ____, available in the bank and fixed deposits, etc (mention the amounts available as the case may be). If you have a bank loan, also mention that you have a bank loan granted for this purpose.
Do not say anything more than the above. Start by saying the above and after starting to talk, while saying the above, please remove the above set of documents, keep them in front of you (facing the visa officer) and point to the figures on the CA Statement while mentioning the figures. Then you may tell him “ The bank statements, fixed deposit receipts (or whatever it may be that you are showing) are attached behind the CA Statement, in case you want to look at them sir”. Please don’t say anything more, as the visa officer does not want students to talk too much.
The fact that you mention the finances available verbally, and at the same time put the papers across to show the visa officer, and also point the figures to him, will make him feel that you are prepared for the interview, and are not wasting his time.
Also, while talking and removing papers and showing them to him, is a sign of positive body language, as that clears the question, and shows that you are confident.
Why don't you do this course in your country?
Here again, you can mention –
There are only top 10 Business Schools in India, which are worth going into;
- The 5 IIM’s (Indian Institutes of Management)
- S.P.Jain institute
- Jamnalal Bajaj
- NMIMS
- XLRI
- FMS
The other institutions apart from the above top ten, are not consistent with quality and infrastructure. Even the employers are aware of this fact. There are only a couple of thousand seats in these top ten institutions, but more than 200,000 (2 lakh) students applying every year. Hence the competition is very tough.
Moreover there are very few Management Institutes in India which are offering MBA with Specialization in Health Care Management.
Hence, I decided that instead of investing my time and money into a mediocre institution in India, I might as well consider a State Owned, accredited, 175 year old University in the US, which is certainly bound to be much better than the mediocre institute in India, in terms of quality of education, infrastructure, recognition and experience. After all, I will be investing my time and money only once in my life. I might as well give it my best shot!
Do you have any relative/ friends in the US?
No. I do not have any relatives or friends in the US. The visa application form also asks for this information and you should mention the same.
Would you take up part time jobs while studying?
My objective of going to the US is to study and graduate with good grades. I come from a secure financial background, hence do not need to work to support my study or living expenses. However I will see, if I have enough time after going there and if it does not affect my studies, I might work part time on-campus to get some experience on the work culture in US.
Some tips to crack US visas;
1. US gets 80,000 students from India each year, the next best figure to any foreign country is, 16,000 students annually to the UK. This means that students are getting visa to the US, in spite of UK doing better promotion for their courses in India. Indian students bring more than billion and a half (that is many millions!) to the US Economy. Consequently, that means that the US visa officers realize that and will not refuse your visa just like that! They want you to go, as you bring money to their country. Hope this makes you feel more confident of your visa interview!
2. Because so many students want to apply for their US student visa, the visa officer has very little time to interview each and every student. They have only 4 to 5 mins for each student. Hence, to test the student’s seriousness, they might be a little aggressive while talking to you, and it may appear rude. Please don’t worry as that is only to test your nerves. If you are still confident and answer your questions confidently, they will know that you are sure of what you are doing and will be impressed. Hence please don’t let the attitude of the visa officer affect you. Be confident as you are not doing anything wrong!
3. As mentioned above, it helps that while talking, you are putting evidence in front of the visa officer, in the form of papers relating to the question asked, eg.
o Financial documents in case of question on finance
o The purple brochure on UNA, in case a question is asked on why UNA
o Documents on your family company, in case you plan to come back to it
o IELTS/ TOEFL or GMAT/ GRE or the letter from UNA exempting you from the tests
This makes the visa officer feel that you have come prepared for the interview. Hence please keep sets of the papers above ready, in a way that you waste absolutely no time in removing them when a related question is asked. If you are fumbling with the papers trying to look for them while the question is asked, you will lose time at the interview and might end up making the officer a little impatient, which you don’t want to do. Hence keep all the papers above ready in sets.
4. During the interview Please talk as if you are having a regular conversation with someone, don’t feel tense or worried. Please do not worry as they are doing their job, and you are doing your job. You are not doing anything wrong, so there is nothing to be afraid of. Be confident and be audible (that is, be loud enough to be heard well)
5. Please go well dressed for the interview, dressed in formals.
6. Please do not think too much of what might happen, while you are waiting for your turn to be interviewed. It does not help to get stressed, as you have done what you could possibly have. Hence try not to think of the interview at all, as what has to happen, will happen. And in your case, you have done all you could to prepare yourself.
