US studies: Ready to go?

If you're leaving for America in the next few months, you probably have a lot of questions.

Between visa concerns, booking airline tickets and worrying about immigration procedures, it's easy to get confused.

In a chat with Get Ahead readers on June 3, Dr Arun Vakil, US visa expert, answered questions about preparing for US studies and how to guarantee a smooth transition.

For those of you who missed the chat, here's part one of the transcript.

Prepatory tips for US studies

ARUN VAKIL says, Hello everybody. Today's chat is meant for those who already got their student visas for studies in the US or are about to get soon. Congratulations to all you young talent. You should now prepare well to make a success of your journey to the New World and also make a success of your study objectives. Let us start with your questions. Questions other than student visas, will be answered in future relevant chats.

russsel asked, do mba students need visa other than f-1 student visa?

ARUN VAKIL answers, Full time degree course students, bachelors, masters, including MBA and doctoral, need F-1 visa generally speaking. No separate visa category for MBA.

sahtavter asked, i'm going to harvard in fall. now that i have f-1 visa, what should i do?

ARUN VAKIL answers, I have written articles under the Get Ahead section as to what preparations you need to do and what you need to know before you move. Please read them.

LIAM asked, sir, i have visa and am going for four years. if i stay for post-graduate degree, do i need new visa?

ARUN VAKIL answers, You do not need a new visa, but you need to extend your visa upto the duration of your next course with the help of your Foreign Student Advisor

gm asked, Hello Arun, I would like to know if its possible for me to go over to my uncle's place @ Atlanta and stay for a few dats at their place before i go to college @ Arlington?

ARUN VAKIL answers, Yes, but you must have air ticket that shows your final destination as Arlington

TIcommon asked, sir, i just graduate IIM lucknow. Want to know about MBA prgrammes in america

ARUN VAKIL answers, Go to mba.com for details and read my book Gateway To America for guidance. Cannot be explained in a chat.

dsouser asked, sir, i am flying business class. will they treat better at check in because im not flying economy?

ARUN VAKIL answers, Not at all. You may get favourable treatment while diembarking and you may get your luggage early on priority.

uclabound asked, sir, i am going to ucla. my point of entry will be los angeles. is los angeles different from New york in terms of customs and immigrations?

ARUN VAKIL answers, No.

wex asked, dr. vakil, can you recomend best arilines for flying to america? delta?

ARUN VAKIL answers, It is difficult to determine what is best; the concept of good, better and best is different for different people. But, watch out, many new airlines are starting operations direct from India to the US including Jet Air, Continental Airlines and few others besides Delta and Air India

Prasad asked, Sir, I am a citizen and resident of India, graduate in Commerce from an Indian University. I am already 40, but I wish to study in US. I am interested in varied subjects. What are the chances of me getting Study Visa? Shall I go for Vocational Courses? Do you have any other suggestions in this regard?

ARUN VAKIL answers, One can study at a late age in the US but you have to prove your clear intention first to the university where you seek admission. When you get one, you have to convince the visa officer. It is possible if you get admission first.

sivaji asked, sir, is it true that customs officials treat indians like pigs and dogs? i've heard this from two cousin-brothers. they make us beg and grovil.

ARUN VAKIL answers, Not true.

AKV asked, Hi, I have been studyig in the US for one year already. US visa was issued for three years (till 2009). The program was for two years. In the meanwhile I have been accepted into another program with a different university. This program is now going to work as a joint program with my previous university and now I will be a full time student at this new university. They have issued me an I-20 (pending transfer). Do you think I need to apply for a visa separately again?

ARUN VAKIL answers, No new visa needed. Just extension with the help of your Foreign Student Advisor, who will put you through local immigration formalities.

albert asked, I am goan and i want to go to US. Any scholarshp money available for goan catholic?

ARUN VAKIL answers, Not in the US. You may try locally within Goa.

aspir asked, sir, i need to no wat i shuld do about flight. n e way to get cheap flight to US? I live in auguest.

ARUN VAKIL answers, Just like when you go to a shop to buy a dress or vegetables, you inquire at 3-4 shops and then decide; same is the case here. Make inquiries at 3-4 airlines and decide which is cheapest but also fastest.

Lak asked, Dr. Vakil, I have my I-20 visa, but I don't know what SEVIS is? Please give advice.

ARUN VAKIL answers, Go to www.fmjfee.com You have to pay $100 here and get a printout of receipt. Only then you can apply for visa. It is compulsory for all.

Raja asked, Are there dubba wallas on US campus? I'm leaving soon and fretting about food availability!!

ARUN VAKIL answers, No dabbawallas but in some cities, Indian women do supply cooked food. You have to investigate.

trubble asked, Is it true that American immigration officlas are not consistent? I've heard black americans hate indians
because we make good money in america. therefore, they reject and mess up visas on purpose. is this true?

ARUN VAKIL answers, Not true.

Lalit asked, My daughter just got a student Visa for USA and now she has fallen in love for a guy and wants to marry him. This guy is a running his business in USA and is waiting his green card . Now should I get her married in India before sending her to USA or should they get married in USA

ARUN VAKIL answers, It takes six years for a Green Card spouse to get the Indian spouse into the US. Therefore, it appears your daughter going as a student first is more desirable and she can take some more time to get to know the boy before marrying him.

neetu asked, well i hv all funds frm university , have to just gv 1500$ for one year plus any insurance. and they say living expenses ot about 11000$ according to them. how much shud i take there initially. and in what form ?

ARUN VAKIL answers, If you have funds from the university then you do not need much. May be $1,000 to $2,000 be kept with you, 20% in cash and the rest in traveller's cheques that can be deposited in a new bank account that you should open on arrival.

volumes asked, Sir, have you ever heard of student being rejected from America for any reason?

ARUN VAKIL answers, Student can be rejected if anything suspicious found in his luggage OR he makes certain verbal statements which are not in conformity with the visa he holds. A few cases have been reported in the past.

Ashish asked, Hi, I am Ashish in Mumbai. I have earned admissions at Duke University. Should I do anything special before my school time in August?

ARUN VAKIL answers, Read my Get Ahead articles. Make yourself expert in typing and on the computer as homework is required in typed format.

ilam asked, i have cleared GRE and TOEFL exams , what i have to do ?

ARUN VAKIL answers, Apply at universities.

immi asked, Is it good Idea to immigrate to US after studies? is there something to do this year before i leave for america?

ARUN VAKIL answers, Immigration is individual choice. You have to prepare before you leave and therefore read articles in Get Ahead on preparations for study in the US.

saleplans asked, I am hoping to go to america for MBA this fall. My visa is still in works. I have a questions. What is differenec of I-94 form and I-20 foirm>

ARUN VAKIL answers, I-20 is a form issued by the university that gives you admission and with which you apply for your student visa. I-94 is a disembarkation card given by the airline when you land at a US airport to record your arrival in the US. Departure information is collected by the Immigration Officer at the entry point after speaking with you and details are noted as to how long you can stay in the US legally. This is stapled in your passport before you go to collect your baggage. The I-94 form in your passport should be preserved very carefully.

chatter asked, sir, is it possible to go to new school? i got I-20 for wisconsin university, but i've been accepted to virgnia. Cna I change my shool or is too late. PLAESE ADVISE

ARUN VAKIL answers, Approach the US consulate through the Visa Facilitation Services for a change of university if you so desire. You will need a new visa.

anand shan asked, i have got a good gmat score of 700 am planning to take up mba from either US or Cannada.Can you please tell me which is better

ARUN VAKIL answers, Both have good universities. You have to choose based on your liking and preferences.

Gautam asked, I have been accepted at Clemson Uni,Sc in MS- Food Science & Nutrition for Fall2007 sem but till now couldnot get faculty mentor.I have contacted eight but they denied on the grounds of lack of funds & additional space for more student.What can I accept after I register with Uni.?

ARUN VAKIL answers, Try other universities.

mango asked, silly question, can you get dal in america? can you get mangoes?

ARUN VAKIL answers, You get both from Indian stores.

qaz asked, when i was in UK, many people made bad comments about India. is US also like this/

ARUN VAKIL answers, Not true.

singhsingh asked, i've heard that sikhs receive the most discrimnation. americans don't know difference betweeen sikh and muslims. pathetic.

ARUN VAKIL answers, Not true. Maybe some few isolated cases.

MHshan asked, I'm going to live in america after school. what should i start to do to help this process.

ARUN VAKIL answers, You have to get a job and convert your F-1 to H-1 in good time.

shastri asked, how can i get admission sir, please advise.

ARUN VAKIL answers, You have to write to the Director of Admissions through email at universities you choose. You have to choose them from list provided by USEFI or through the Internet.

Part II: Tomorrow

DON'T MISS

~ Are you a student who is studying/ has studied abroad? What advice would you have for other students who may soon be pursuing studies in a foreign country? What are your experience as an international student? What were the things you wished you knew before you left home? Write to us at getahead@rediff.co.in and we will feature your experiences right here.