Profile Details:
University: University of Texas, Arlington
Course: MS in Computer Science
First Attempt
Chennai Consulate
Date: May 2018
Status: Approved
Counter No: 26
Visa Interview Experience:
Day-1: Biometrics
I started at 6AM from Bengaluru in the BLR-CHN Shatabdi. The train was scheduled to arrive in Chennai at 11AM, but reached at 2PM?. I panicked a lot since my biometrics was at 3PM and I was late. I took an auto to the hotel (New woodlands) that I had reserved. I left the hotel in a hurry and reached the biometrics centre at 2:50PM?. Biometrics done by 3:10. The only documents required are ur DS-160 confirmation page, Appointment confirmation letter and your Passport. A barcode sticker will be put on ur passport.
Day-2: Interview
I left the hotel at 7:30AM. Had breakfast in a nearby hotel. Reached the consulate at 7:45AM. You will find lots of people outside the consulate waiting for their turn. You will be allowed to go inside at your scheduled time not before. It would be very hot and you'll sweat a lot, be prepared. I went inside at 8:25AM, do not carry your phone/wallets/watches. Security check will be done and you will have to go to another building. Here the sticker on your passport will be scanned, and you will move on to verify your biometrics. Finally you will join the queue specific to your interview language (Eng/Kan/Hind/Tamil etc.).
VO in his late 40's looked very pleasant and calm.
VO: Good morning Sir?
ME: Good morning Sir?. Passed my I-20 and passport.
VO: So you're going to the University of Texas Arlington?
ME: Yes sir.
VO: Why UT Arlington?
ME: Out of the Admits that I received, UT Arlington was the best.
VO: Which other admits did you receive?
ME: University of Wisconsin Milwaukee and SUNY Albany.
VO: UWM and SUNY are pretty good universities, why did you choose UT Arlington?
ME: (small pause) well the courses at UTA are very diverse and they provide an option to choose 2 majors.
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VO: Hmm. What's your GRE score sir?
ME: Told him.
VO: (long pause looking at the screen and typing for a while). So will you be leaving your job at Schneider?
ME: Yes sir.
VO: (long pause again typing) Congrats sir, you're VISA has been approved, have a pleasant stay at the US.
ME: Thank you very much sir. (took my I-20 and left)
Key Points: You will hear a lot of rejects being handed out around you. Do not panic. Be confident in answering.
Documents that I carried:
- Passport
- DS-160 confirmation page
- I-20 duly signed
- Appointment confirmation letter
- Visa fee payment receipt
- CA Assets certificate
- Bank statements and loan letter
- Assets documents copies only
- Marks cards 10th-Degree and GRE TOEFL
- Other universities rejects and admit letters copies.
- Proof of employment- mine, ITRV and form 16's
- Sponsors ITRV, source of income.
