Applying for a U.S. Student Visa (continued)

The documents needed to answer these questions may be different depending on your country and your situation, but they may include any or all of the following:

• Your academic record to date.
• Copies of scores from any standardized tests you've taken (SAT, TOEFL, GRE, etc.).
• Letters of admission and financial aid awards from your U.S. college.
• Financial documents, such as your and your family's bank statements, tax documents showing your/your family's income, and statements from any investments that you plan to use to finance you education.
• Documents showing any scholarships or financial help from other sources (college financial aid, governmental or organizational grants, outside scholarships).
• Business registration or licenses and other documents if you or your family owns a business.
• Evidence that you intend to return to your home country, such as a statement from an employer that you'll be considered for a job or have been offered a job after you complete your U.S. study; evidence that you own assets in your home country; anything else that shows that you have strong ties to your home country.

If you're not sure what documents you should bring, talk to your high school counselor, the college contact for international students, or someone at the U.S. consulate.

The Interview

All visa applicants must have an interview with an officer at their country's U.S. embassy or consulate. Different consulates may schedule interviews differently, so check with the consulate ahead of time.

Also, U.S. embassies and consulates in some countries are very busy and may have a long waiting list for visa interviews. It's a good idea to check with the consulate early in the college application process, even before you receive an I-20, just in case your consulate has a waiting period. Some countries may have a months-long waiting period; others may be able to schedule interviews fairly quickly.

During this interview, consular officers will ask you a variety of questions about your plans for your education, finances and career after college. Again, they are looking for any reason to believe that you're not a real student, that you may be planning to stay in the United States illegally, or that you won't be able to support yourself financially in the United States.

The best way to succeed in your interview is to arrive well-prepared. Think through your answers to some of the following questions:

• Why do you want to study in the United States?
• Why did you choose this college?
• Why did you choose this major? What jobs does this major prepare you for?
• How will studying in the United States prepare you for a job here at home?
• What have you been involved in that shows your commitment to your home country?
• How will you pay for the college fees and living expenses in the United States? (Remember, students with F-1 visas are not allowed to get jobs in the United States except under special circumstances. So you cannot plan on any job income to pay for your studies or expenses at colleges.)
• Other questions about the United States, your educational plans, your career plans, and your finances.

You may wish to practice your answers with a counselor or friend. Be polite, and make your answers short and to the point. Most interviews are less than five minutes, so short answers are best.