<p>I'm having my Embassy interview tomorrow morning and I know I won't sleep tonight. I have everything in order and everyone says the biggest thing is having an I-20 and that I'll definitely get the visa.</p>
<p>Can anyone offer any advice about what not to say? I'm particularly interested in how people dodged/answered the employment question (re: do you plan to work over there?). </p>
<p>I would really appreciate any help!</p>
<p>xxxx</p>
<p>Don't say that you plan to do any illegal things, and don't say that you plan to stay in the States after college (better not mention grad school in the States or working visas). And if you have a pregnant American girlfriend, don't mention her either :)</p>
<p>RE employment: </p>
<p>I haven't been asked directly about employment, only what I plan to do after college. If you are asked directly about employment, you can say that you plan to work on-campus or do a summer internship on OPT, and then elaborate on how the work experience from a summer internship will help you find employment in your home country after college.</p>
<p>Relax, if you bring all your papers everything should be fine. In my recent interview the guy asked me why did I choose my university, who will pay for my studies, and a bit of family background. He didn't even ask for any financial papers or anything of that sort. Nice guy, he told me he had been a student in my school when he was in 5th and 6th grade.</p>
<p>Thanks so much for your advice, guys! I got approved, but my I-20 was faxed to me (we were really short on time, and I needed the interview ASAP). They kept my passport and just said they would post my passport an visa to me as soon as they saw the original I-20. They weren't annoyed or anything. I just explained that I was really short on time (I'm supposed to leave in 2 weeks) and they said they understood. </p>
<p>I stupidly forgot to pay my bank draft, so had to go the the Post Office and I found it really took some nerves off me. Everyone in the Embassy was so friendly. </p>
<p>However, I was 4th in the queue for my interview. Some guy got his passport handed back to him, as the interviewer pointed out that the student said in a previous interview he hoped to get a job with the company he would be doing an internship for in semester II. He denied saying anything like that in a previous interview, and the embassy guy pointed out that all his professors recommended him for a green card upon graduation. It sounded so messy. However, I think they want him to do another interview.</p>
<p>When it was my turn, the guy asked where I was going to college and why I chose there. I said I wanted to study in a women's college as everyone is so focused and competitive. He asked what the plan was after college and I said I want to come home to live near my parents and to get involved with documentary/short film, which is what the college course specializes in. </p>
<p>He pointed out that I'm a college drop out (nursing school; lasted a year). I explained myself and that I moved to a new school to study film, which I loved and I did really well in and that's why I got my scholarship. He just asked who was funding college. I said I am, he checked my bank statements, and then said everything is perfect.</p>
<p>I'll get my passport/visa & I-20 back as soon as they get the original (in a couple of days) and I'm really excited now. I'm so glad I checked your advice before I left!</p>
<p>Oh, he never asked about employment while in college. He seemed more intrigued as to why I chose a women's college! I would just recommend everyone to tell the truth and don't say anything about grad. school/working in the US! Also, I'm just intrigued as to how everyone was dressed for their interview? I was well dressed, as was another girl (both of us were wearing office suits)(trust me, mine belonged to my housemate!). However, everyone else was in raggy jeans and creased tshirts.</p>
<p>I was dressed in a casual, nice-ish top, and a knee-length skirt, and flats. I wish I could've gone in raggy jeans, a creased T-shirt and my beat-up Converse shoes, but my mom would've probably detained me at home, haha.</p>
<p>It's good to hear that your interview went well; I've seen your posts over at the MoHo board and I think it's awesome that you're approaching your future with such optimism and enthusiasm. All the best for college! (I'm also leaving in about two weeks and I'm excited and nervous as hell.) You should let us know how things go over at Stephens. :)</p>
<p>Thanks, limitedvocab! I felt so weird in office clothes, as I've never worked in an office! My sisters insisted I borrow office stuff. </p>
<p>I miss the thought of MoHo, but I'm really looking forward to Stephens now. I think I was just getting apprehensive last week! You should be excited about your new life that starts in 2 weeks!</p>
<p>Congratz to your visa!</p>
<p>I was dressed semi-formally - black pants and a button-down shirt, but no suit. I preferred to err on the side of formality but I didn't feel like buying new clothes for the interview.</p>