<p>“The fact that there are many Master/PhD students without work is worrying. I’m just going to assume that they’re from less recognised universities to make it easier for myself.”
Top schools provide more opportunities. However unlike in many countries, they do not “make” your profile. Between a Harvard grad who has a 2.6 and an Iowa State grad with a 3.9, research experience, and an internship, the Iowa State grad gets the job.
The school opens doors and provides opportunities * that you MUST take advantage of*. If you don’t, it’s seen negatively. In the US, you’re not judged on “pedigree” but on what you, personally, did with the hand you were dealt.
“to make it easier for myself” is also not a good way to handle the process: essentially, if it’s worrisome, I won’t take it into consideration. That’s how students end up with 10 reaches and zero school that they can attend.</p>
<p>Of course I’m taking grades, internships and recommendations into account. I just heard that companies rarely higher international students and if they do they just hire them momentarily before letting them go.
StatBeast1 already answered my question for the most part though. As long as there is a decent possibility of h-1b + greencard sponsorship I’m happy.</p>
<p>Could the fact that I’m from Sweden also help my chances since so few people come from here compared to places like China, India etc?</p>
<p>Edit - What I was trying to get to from the start is basically… Is it mostly “average” students without internships that went to smaller universities that are sent home or do students from well known schools with internships and good grades also get sent sent home in the same amounts?</p>
<p>Your odds of staying are very small, no matter where you go and what you do.</p>
<p>And lots of employers would take the Harvard grad.</p>
<p>Success7 -</p>
<p>The only people I have ever heard of who managed to find an H-1B sponsor with only an undergrad degree were engineers, and not one of them studied at any of the places on your list. Decent engineering programs, yes, but nothing in the $200,000 range.</p>
<p>The OPT for engineering and other STEM fields is longer than in non-STEM fields, so that may be a factor. Do know though that provided an engineering program is accredited by ABET, the name of the college/university on the diploma doesn’t matter all that much. You may be able to achieve your goal with a lot less money than you think.</p>
<p>Along that line, do consider the BS in your home country and MS in the US route. You have the same OPT for the MS as you would have for a BS, but your skill level will be higher and you will be significantly more marketable thus increasing the possibility of an H-1B.</p>
<p>Happymomof1, care to tell me what Universities those people went to? Looking to expand my list.</p>
<p>Thanks for the information though. Glad to know that I still have a chance if I don’t go to one of the top 10.</p>