Getting a US visa approved at the consulate counter following a 10-minute interview can be tricky. Officers may not explicitly give a reason for the rejection, leaving applicants confused about what they said wrong. A student took to Reddit, narrating the interview experience at the Mumbai consulate, which ended in rejection. The same thing happened to many who reported to that particular counter.
The Interview Begins with a Surprising Question
“Do you feel any harm or racism in this country?” This was the first question the visa officer asked, referring to India. Often, people come to the US on an F1 visa but then apply for asylum citing racism or persecution in their home country. The Redditor answered “no,” which was correct as they did not express any intention to settle in the US.
Question About University Selection
The Redditor was then asked about Michigan Technological University and the reason for selecting it for pursuing an MS in Biomedical Engineering. “Michigan Tech is an elite R1 rated Research University, which offers hands-on medical device training,” the Redditor said. The visa officer asked which other universities the student applied to.
“Johns Hopkins University, Rensselaer Polytechnic, University of Maryland, Michigan Tech, Yale,” was the answer. The visa officer responded, “I am sorry but I cannot offer you US visa today…”
Social Media Analysis Reveals the Mistake
Social media users quickly identified where the Redditor went wrong. It was the choice of universities. They pointed out that the five universities ranged from tier-1 to tier-3 institutions in the US, which might have given the visa officer the impression that the Redditor wanted to enter the US at any cost. Applicants to Yale and Johns Hopkins do not typically apply to Michigan Tech, another user noted.
This incident serves as a cautionary tale for visa applicants: consistency in university choices matters. The TOI World Desk, with a team of seasoned journalists, brings you the latest world news and top headlines.
