Profile Details:
University: Stevens Institute of Technology, New Jersey
Course: MS in Information Systems
First Attempt
Mumbai Consulate
Date: May 2018
Status: Approved
Counter No: 28
Visa Interview Experience:
The interview lasted for 3 minutes. VO is a lady in her early 30's probably.
VO: Good morning! (With a smiling face)
ME: Very good morning, ma’am! (With a more smiling face)
VO: Pass me your passport, i20 and Sevis fees receipt.
ME: (Given)
VO: Which course are you Planning for?
ME: I am planning to pursue Master's in Information Systems at Steven's Institute of Technology, New Jersey.
VO: Okay. What all universities did you apply and received admits from?
ME: I applied to 4 universities and received admits from 3 universities which are Steven's, UTD, NJIT
(I mentioned the full names of all 3 universities)
VO: Why Steven's over other universities?
ME: I told couple of strong Points regarding specialization and course structure when she stopped me mid sentence When I was about to add couple more Points.
VO: Okay. What do you do currently? Are you working?
ME: Yes ma’am. I am currently working as a Business analyst in XYZ company.
VO: (She then looked in my i20 and asked me this). Is your course related to your current job?
(I think she misinterpreted my job to be a purely business oriented one whereas my course is a technical one)
ME: Yes, madam. I work in IT sector and also my Master's course is aligned with my current job.
VO: Okay fine. What is your highest qualification?
ME: I did my bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering from University of Mumbai and I passed with first class in 2015.
VO: Who is going to fund your education?
ME: Me and my parents. We have a savings worth Rs. X lacs and I also have a sanctioned loan letter of Rs. Y lacs.
VO: What does your father do?
ME: He's a government employee in Transport Commissioner Dept.
VO: Central or State government?
ME: State government, ma’am.
VO: What is your GRE score?
ME: My GRE score is 303.
VO: All right. Your visa has been approved. You can collect your passport in few days.
ME: Thank you so much, ma’am. Have a great day ahead.
During this interview, I observed that VO doesn't look at you all the time. The VO pays attention to you, after couple of seconds as you start answering and observes you only for 4-5 Seconds. Rest almost all the time he/she types something on the computer.
I personally think that first couple of questions are very important, when you can actually make the impression and convince the VO that you are a genuine student.
While answering to "Why Steven's? " I was so confident. Because I had practised this question like a 1000 times. I think she got impressed with my answer.
Make sure you keep the eye contact with the VO all the time.
Don't be hesitant with your answers. Practice all the answers multiple times before appearing for the interview. Otherwise the VO will catch you within 2-3 seconds.
