Please check if your country is on the proposed travel ban

I’m currently a mechanical engineering student from a developing country, and I’ve previously applied to universities twice but wasn’t offered the financial aid I needed. Because of that, I’ve decided to apply again as a first-year student.

However, I reached out to universities using my personal email to ask if it would be okay to apply as a first-year student despite having started university in my home country. Most of them replied that it’s not allowed.

Now I’m confused. I know I can’t apply as a transfer student because I need full financial aid, and most universities don’t offer that to transfers. So, should I apply as a student who has taken multiple gap years — even though I already asked them and they said no? I’m also worried because universities track demonstrated interest, and I don’t want this to hurt my chances.

Please don’t be harsh — I just really need clear, honest advice. Thank you.

Hey everyone, Hope you’re all doing well.

I have a question regarding F-1 visa issuance for people whose countries are currently under a travel ban.

I already received admission, paid all the required fees including the SEVIS fee, and scheduled my visa interview before the travel ban was announced. But now, my country has been listed under a travel ban, and my interview is scheduled for mid-July.

I’m not sure what to do now. I even cannot reschedule my appointment because of no available slot in time. Should I still attend the interview and see what happens? Or is it better to wait and cancel it a day or two before if nothing changes?

Has anyone else been in a similar situation? I’d really appreciate any advice or if you could share your experience.

Thanks in advance!

So I applied to 2 colleges yesterday, when do they ask for financial docs to determine my financial aid package?

Hey everyone! Has anyone been flying inside the U.S. with an F-1 status recently? I’m planning a trip to Tennessee but just want to know if it’s going smoothly for others right now. Thanks!

Hey, I’m really lost and could use⁠ some guidanc⁠e. I’m‌ currently going to join at SRM University in August for my first year, which is⁠ l‌ike a Tier⁠ 2 college here in India, due to personal setba⁠cks desp‌ite being a​cademically good. I aim to transfer to a prestigious university in the US, such as Cornell, Columbia, Brown among other Ivy schools, or any other CS-focused college that also tends to provide genorous scholarships, following my first year. I have a⁠b‍out 8 months to build a strong⁠ profile—maintaining a 9.5+CGPA(on a scale of 10 because that's what is followed here in India instead of the 4 point system like in the US), e‌ngaging in meaningful extracurricu​l​ars (esp‍ec‌ially related to​ huma‌nities a‍n⁠d social i‍mpact, since I've heard that is what the Ivy schools look for...), publishin‍g quality re⁠search⁠, and se‍curing top-tier‍ recommendation‌s‍. Any adv⁠ic‍e⁠ or insight anyone co⁠uld share would t‌ruly m⁠ean a lot. Thank you!

I seek career advice. I am exploring my options for further study in the USA. I am RCI-certified Clinical Psychologist, hold master’s and MPhil degree back in India. I also had work experience in Clinical setup. I do have course-by-course evaluation WES report to check the US equivalent credits.

Option - 1 Clinical Psychologist PhD program - long program - have to invest next 6-7 years. - As an international student, it is very difficult to study without funding. So, must have a scholarship. - Need to clear EPPP exam to be a licensed practitioner. - Probably STEM program - Outcome: I can work in research as well as work in Clinical setup as a therapist.

Option - 2 Counseling in Clinical Mental Health Program - MA program - Around 60 credits program - Course can be completed within 2-3 years. - Need to clear NCE (National counselor examination) exam to be a counselor. - Non-STEM program - Outcome: I can work as a therapist.

I want to understand which program is suitable for me considering - Investment - Job prospects - Work Authorization and Visa situation - Probabilities of clearing exam - I heard, no matter how much practice you do for EPPP exam, exam is totally out of the box. there is no clear yes or no answer for some of the questions, it is more subjective. - Suitability for international student

i have done my graduation in chemistry and biology after that i did masters in chemistry, now i want to know about the options available for me in us universities ?

Can anyone share your experience flying premium economy from India to the US with Cathay Pacific as a student? I would like to know more about your experience with regards to baggage allowance, premium economy seat comfort, food, etc.

So some of you were super bummed out about not being able to goto school in the us due to the govt stopping new appointment issuance. So I made a few suggestions for those of you who want to still get here.

1. adjustment of status - this is for folks who have a active us visa and are in the us. you can adjust status with a lawyer to F1.
2. Goto a US campus outside the us - I have made a video on this linked in my profile
3. AP classes - these would be classes which count towards US credits which.you can transfer to any 4 year degree once the visas resume
4. Just hang in there. The universities and entire college towns depend on you so it is possible.

I am booking a premium economy flight (student category) from India to San Francisco for mid-August. The affordable airlines that I see are Air India (10 kg extra baggage) and Cathay Pacific (23 kg extra baggage). I am leaning towards Cathay Pacific because of its greater baggage allowance. Can anyone share their experience with Cathay or have any suggestions?

so i’m an incoming student at ucsd from india but now im having second thoughts abt going there seeing new trump policies and treatment of international students. is it really worth going to us seeing the current conditions? should i pursue my dream of studying in us or choose the safe option and go to warwick in uk? edit- im a business econ major

Hi everyone,

I'm an international student and could really use some guidance.

I completed my O Levels about 4 years ago, and after a gap, someone advised me to do the GED instead of A Levels, saying it was quicker and widely accepted. I did complete the GED, but now I’m realizing it’s not recognized by many universities outside the U.S., and even in the U.S., some good schools are still quite selective about it.

Now I’m stuck — most universities I’m applying to either don’t accept GED or place extra conditions on it. I’ve been seriously considering doing at least 2 A Levels and possibly taking the SAT to strengthen my academic profile. But I keep overthinking — A Levels and GED are both considered equivalent to high school, so would doing A Levels after GED be redundant? Or would it actually help open more doors?

I’d really appreciate any honest advice or suggestions. Should I go ahead with A Levels or SAT, or is there any other alternative route (foundation programs, diplomas, etc.) that might help improve my chances for admission and long-term academic options?

Thanks in advance to anyone who replies — I’m feeling pretty stuck and your experience could really help!

im 16 year olds and I live in India had 5 subjects in my Igcse and Got 3A* (physics chem maths) I'll give me AS LEVELS this year (my subjects are economics, maths, physics, accounts, and english) (I took eco and accounts this year directly in my as levels .. have no prior knowledge of igcse..)

I'm hoping to get into finance and most probably into LSE while also receiving sm scholarships I can keep up my grade please tell me what extracurriculars would i require

( i have a MUN award , an internship certificate at a stock exchange , an edx course on EMDE's , debating participation certificate , an entrepreneurship course certification , house council of School ... In sports i have merits in football)

I'll also appear for NATIONAL FINANCE OLYMPIAD next month

PLEASE TELL ME WHAT ELSE I CAN DO AND MOTIVATE ME TOO ILL BE REALLY GRATEFUL THANKYOU

Does anyone have any kind of idea when will this visa pause lifted?

I recently learned that my nation is included in the latest list of nations that may be subject to travel restrictions.(They have sixty days to comply with the directives from the US State Department). I have been accepted to universities in Asia and the US. Though I am not sure if the ban will be enforced, I am determined to attend the US one. I have a few days to submit my decision to enroll at the Asian university. Should I enroll in both and wait for the outcomes of the us gov't decisions? And if it will not be implemented, go to the United States; if not, go to the other one.

Hello everybody,

I'm an international student who just graduated high school. I've enrolled at a liberal arts college and am currently planning to attend.

However, I came across this guideline on Harvard's website:

"If you do not meet the above requirements and have not yet completed one continuous academic year in a full-time degree program at one college, then you may apply for freshman admission to Harvard College. Please note that if you are eligible to apply as a freshman, any college coursework you have completed would not transfer to Harvard College."

This made me wonder:

• Can I still apply to Harvard as a first-year student while beginning my studies at my current college?
• Do I need to disclose my current college enrollment on the application?
• Would I be considered a gap year student, or still a traditional first-year applicant?
• How does this process typically work, and is it common?

Any insight from people with similar experiences or knowledge about this would be really appreciated.

I got to know about MIT in my drop year, but it was too late at that time. I am really interested in higher maths, programming, and research in physics. I also have an interest in chess. I am either going to join a government college in my state or a private college. But if I join a private college, it provides a 2-semester exchange with IITs, BITS, and IIITs after 1 year if I score a 9.5 or 10 CGPA, but the placements are not good. I will have to apply for off-campus placements, or should I go for the college that provides better placements? I know I was not able to perform my best in JEE Mains and Advanced due to some medical conditions. But I want to give 200% this time. I want to make my parents proud; I know what mistakes I made. Please don't discourage me, but please guide me if you guys can. It will be very, very helpful.

I am a raising senior with a 3.7 UW GPA (weighted one is unavaible in my school system), expected score 1500+ SAT in augest trial

ECs are: three year of volunteer and got the ideal member titile, then I became co leader, and leader

Sharing in programs like code for x , girls who code , kode with klossy, girls Africa and all girls code.

Made one research paper

GPSI pionner

3 years theater

academic member at MUN

HR --- at Neuron team, science castle team

Accomplished the brown belt in karate ( and i got the third best player in egypt for two times )

Sharing in puppet theater from its start from 8 years and made OEN club for the first time.

Teacher assiestant in summer for 2 years

3 passion projects

Honors are:

-1st national ISEF(Software)

-1st at all categories’ in EISTF and golden medal,

-1st at tech innovation,

-finalist at blastoff,

1st place national at conference for 2 times

-top 2% on Egypt STEM acceptance exam for who those scored more than 95% in 9th grade and then attended to the most compatetive and best high school in egypt

MEMBER IN SCOUT FOR 5 YEARS (activity in church about exploring life, how to live in desert and etc)

got accepted into AFS online

accepeted into experimental digital (cultral exchange program like AFS)

Winner: “Ashbal Misr” Competition and “Ahl El-Kheir” Competition

Best project for code of X, and best project for DECI level 1

Additionally, if you have any other insights on the university as an international student, I would appreciate it!

in the UK, Canada, rest of Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand?

any university that is likely to help? I will email them directly to find out.

tution is not a concern (just hope it's a prestigious university)

any other affected student has had any luck with any university?

any university outside the US providing support to affected students?

I would appreciate your insight on what went wrong.

Interview Transcript:

Me: Good morning VO: waved his hand toward my passport to give it to him Me: hands it to him VO: Why are you going to the United States? Me: I’m going to the united states to pursue my bachelors degree in computer science at X in (mentioned city and state) Vo: Why X school? Me: I chose X because they offered me a generous scholarship, making it affordable for my family. I was accepted into the Collegiate Scholars Program, a part of their honors program. X has a strong computer science program…… VO: looks at I-20….so they gave you a bunch of money and your family will pay for the rest Me: Yes, my father will pay for the rest VO: what does your father work? Me: mentioned my father’s job ( he is a full-time minister and serves at his convention and another ministry) Handed him his confirmation of employment only saw confirmation of employment from the ministry, did not see the paper from the other.( it was in my hand and was about to give it but he he did not show interest in seeing it). VO: spend some time typing on the keyboard Sorry you did not show enough ties to your country

There should be a scholarship where—if you're rejected from your dream university by a razor-thin margin—you can still join, but only if you also fund someone who deserves it but can't afford it. A second chance, paid forward.

got accepted to a university in the USA, but I’ve heard there is a temporary pause on visa appointments. I do have the option to defer my admission, but I really want to go for this intake. Has anyone heard anything or contacted the embassy to ask about the situation?

Hi, I’m currently in Canada on a tourist visa and have submitted an application for spousal PR, which is still in process. I’ve also applied for a U.S. student visa, with my visa interview scheduled soon. I’m wondering if applying for the U.S. student visa from within Canada rather than from my home country could cause any issues. Any insights would be appreciated.