Tej Kohli

Hello Again! So now that you have decided to study in USA, you must know the ABC of Visa application procedure.

For such information, Tej Kohli Study blog is always at your service.

To start with, applicants should apply at the consular section of the American Embassy any working day, Monday through Friday, during working hours of the consular section.
Documents required are :

• Valid Passport
• One Passport size photograph (In a specified format)
• A Non-immigrant Visa Application (Form 156) available from the Consular section.
• Other require forms. (Will depend on the country you apply from)
• Form I-20 executed by the authorizing official of institution concerned, signed by the applicant.
• Evidence of financial ability to cover the costs of the education and maintenance involved
• Visa fee to (to be paid in the currency mentioned)

When to apply :

An applicant may apply for a student Visa not earlier than 90 days before the registration date specified on the FORM I-20. If the registration date is already passed or the applicant cannot reasonably expect to arrive at the school by the registration date, the applicant should obtain an amended I-20 or a letter of extension from the issuing institution stating by what date the applicant may arrive.

After the Completed application forms along with the documents are submitted;

In most cases, the visa will be issued within a few hours or days of the submission of the application. In some instances, the process may take longer depending on the time of year, consular caseload or other factors.

If your application is denied, you should ask the Consular Officer for a “written denial decision.” This will provide you with the official reason for your visa denial.

Source: U.S. Embassy

If you have any other query regarding visa application, do post in your comments!

Tej Kohli Blog gives a lot of important information for students. Tej Kohli has complied some handy Visa Information.

If you wish to obtain the student’s visa, you need to fulfill the following principal requirements:

1) Acceptance by University

Acceptance of the applicant by an institution of learning for a full course of study is essential. Evidence in support of this requirement consists of a Form I-20 filled out by the accepting school, and signed by the applicant and presented with the visa application.

2) Knowledge of English Language

Evidence that the applicant has sufficient scholastic preparation and knowledge of the English language, if required by the school to undertake a full course of study in the accepting institution. To establish their knowledge of English, applicants are encouraged to take the TOEFL, available in many countries around the world.

3) Proof of Financial Resources

This involves proof that the applicant has sufficient funds to cover the total cost of education and stay in the U.S. This implies evidence of readily available funds to meet all expenses for the first year, and of the availability of funds for the following years from reliable financial resources. To satisfy this requirement applicants may show that funds are available from the educational institution, from their personal resources or from sponsors,who have agreed to pay for their education.

If the support is from the educational institution, in the form of a scholarship, assistantship, on-campus employment, etc.,it is usually noted on the I-20.

If the support is from your home country, the applicant must produce bank books and statements or other documents showing a total amount in your currency equal to the dollar cost of the first year, and evidence regarding sources of funds for subsequent years. If the student is not paying his own expenses, an affidavit of support executed by the sponsor and sworn before a registered authority must also be presented, along with financial evidence indicating the ability to carry out the undertaking.

If the support is from outside your country, the sponsor must provide a letter from his/her bank indicating that the sponsor has sufficient funds to cover the costs involved, together with a current notarized Affidavit of support stating willingness to finance the applicant’s educational expenses. The sponsor should also provide evidence of current employment and income.

With regard to sponsorship, particular weight is given to promises of support from immediate family members. Affidavits from less than immediate relatives and family friends do not carry the same degree of commitment as do affidavits from immediate family members and should be accompanied by a statement explaining in detail what compelling reasons the person has to carry out the promises made on the affidavit.

The Embassy emphasizes that the commitment contained in an affidavit of support is not a mere formality. The U.S. Government regards Affidavits of support to be binding, legal documents that oblige the sponsor to be financially responsible for the student during his/her time in U.S.

4) Proof of Non-Immigrant Intent (Existence of permanent residence)

It is difficult to prove that you intend to return to home country after your studies are complete even though you sincerely intend to. This is because by law, all non-immigrants are viewed as “intending immigrants.” This means that the visa officer is under the assumption that you will be coming to the US and will remain in the US permanently.

You should carry with you documents that demonstrate ties to your home country and would help convince the consul of your intent to return. Such documents may include:

1. Proof of land ownership

2. Economic and Social ties are very important: An applicant’s future role in a family business, academic institution, government agency, professional organization are all possibilities. Bring letters from appropriate parties to demonstrate such facts.

3. If other family members have studied in the U.S. and returned it should be mentioned.

4. Letters from prospective employers recognizing the need for specialized training offered in the U.S. can also serve to aid an application in the applicant’s home country.

5. Providing an explanation of why equivalent educational training is not available in your home country, if applicable.

Most importantly, Consular Officials want to hear from the applicant. At no time, is it recommended that the applicants bring family members with them to the interview.

If you prove to the Consular Official’s satisfaction that you intend to come to the U.S. solely for the purpose of study and will return to your home country upon completion of the program, a visa stamp will be affixed to a page in your passport. You should apply for a multiple entry F-1 student visa. With a multiple entry visa you can travel between US and your home country during the duration of your stay in the Unites States.

Tej Kohli glossary is a perfect way to understand those study abroad ‘Jargons’. Keep checking back Tej Kohli studies blog for more terms.

Academic counseling/advising: Students at U.S. universities and colleges are typically required to speak one on one with an academic counselor or advisor on a regular basis. Because students elect their own courses the advisor helps them to plan their academic calendars, and ensures that they are taking the classes they need to graduate.

Accreditation: the certification that a school or program meets a prescribed academic standard. It is very important to know that a college or university is accredited.

Advanced placement (AP): Some universities/colleges give credit for class work done in high school or to students who prove via examination that they have achieved university- level proficiency in a certain subject.

Campus: the location of a university, college, or school’s main buildings. U.S. campuses are known for their ample size, architecture, landscaping, and numerous student locales.

Coeducational: used to describe an educational environment that includes students of both sexes.

Cooperative education: a program in which students spend a portion of their time in a professional environment outside of the university. The duration of a bachelor’s program is usually five years.

Credits: Universities and colleges typically assign all courses a certain number of credits. Often the number of credits is equivalent to the number of hours spent in class each week.

Associate’s degree: earned upon completion of a degree program at a 2-year college.

Bachelor’s degree: earned upon completion of an undergraduate program, typically four years, at a college or university.

Master’s and Doctorate degree: earned upon completion of a graduate degree program

If you find the American education system to be confusing and different from the education system in your own country, this post on Tej Kohli study blog may help you clear some doubts.

The American education system offers international students the most diverse set of education options in the world. In fact, an international student who elects to take advantage of the American education system can pursue anything from nuclear science to film and dance. American education possibilities are almost endless!

The American education system requires that students complete 12 years of primary and secondary education prior to attending university or college. This may be accomplished either at public (or government-operated) schools, or at private schools. These 12 years of schooling (or their equivalent) may also be completed outside the USA, thus giving foreign students the opportunity to pursue the benefits of the American education system and obtain a quality American education. Perhaps one of the most impressive facts is the large number of presidents, prime ministers and leaders from other countries who have experienced the American education system and graduated from a university or school in the USA. In many fields and industries, the American education system offers the most cutting-edge, sought-after programs at the world’s best schools. That is why graduating from an accredited American school and being exposed to the rigors of the American education system is an investment in your future.

Whether you want to study at a top USA university, a top USA college, or at a USA  ESL, vocational or high school, a thorough understanding of how the American education system works is essential. Without a clear grasp of the American education system, an international student will find it difficult to make the right academic choices. The information provided in the Overview of the American education system section will help you develop that understanding. You can also search our list of top universities, colleges, community colleges, graduate schools, and boys and girls boarding schools in the American education system. It is no surprise that the American education system and the American school system hosts more international students than any other country in the world!

Tej Kohli blog for study places in US brings a broad insight into Certificate/ Diploma Programs in the US. If you’re planning enroll for one, equip yourself with this general information first.

Although certificate or diploma programs are quickly gaining popularity as alternatives for professional training and development, many people still don’t know exactly what they are and how they work. Tej Kohli study blog will provide you with a brief description and tips on issues to be considered when selecting these kinds of programs.

What are Certificate or Diploma Programs?

Certificate/diploma programs are a series of classes focusing on both theory and practice in a particular field. They are not as broad as degree programs and they usually concentrate on a particular area. For example, in an undergraduate degree program in business, the student will study in depth a broad range of areas such as marketing, accounting, finance, human resources, organizational behavior, production, economics, and several others. Under a certificate program, on the other hand, he/she will concentrate his/her studies in a specific area. For example, in a marketing certificate/diploma program the curriculum will include topics such as consumer behavior, marketing research, marketing strategy, international marketing, internet marketing and others. These are all different topics related to one specific area. Some certificate programs also offer an overview of several different areas.

While some universities refer to their programs as certificate programs, others call them diploma programs. There is not a commonly adopted criterion to differentiate them. In general, a diploma program is required to provide a certain minimum number of instruction hours and are longer in duration. However, you may find two schools with similar programs in curriculum and duration, but one of them defining the program as a certificate program and the other calling it a diploma program.

What kind of audiences attend these programs, and when are the classes being offered?

Some certificate/diploma programs are designed primarily for a local audience (Americans) but enrollments are also open to international participants. These programs are more likely to have a majority of local residents and the classes are offered in the evening (during the week) and on weekends (daytime).

Other certificate/diploma programs are designed primarily for an international audience. In this case, most of the participants are non-Americans and classes are scheduled during the daytime every day of the week. Because of that, the schedule tends to be more intense than the evening courses, and participants are able to learn a lot more within the same period of time. Some schools refer to this kind of schedule as “intensive format” or “accelerated programs.”

Which department is responsible for offering the certificate/diploma program?

The certificate/diploma programs are offered in most cases by the Extension Department (sometimes also called the School of Continuing Education). At some institutions, however, the certificate/diploma programs are offered by the schools within a university (such as School of Business, School of Law, etc.). Still some certificate/diploma programs may be offered by the Extension Department in cooperation with one of the schools.

Tej Kohli’s dos and don’ts of American student life…

1. Never talk about someone’s weight –”you are very fat”.
2. Never ask “how much did you pay for that” or “how much money do you make”.
3. Never smoke indoors (unless given permission).
4. Never change the TV station, the air conditioner or fan controls in someone else’s home. If you are cold, put on a sweater.
5. Never hit anybody – animal or human.
6. Never talk about the bathroom.
7. Never spend more than 5 to 10 minutes on someone else’s phone.
8. Never bring a friend with you to a party or dinner – unless you have asked the host if it is okay.
9. Never spend more than 20-30 minutes in the bathroom at one time–others may be waiting.
10. Never burp, belch, or pass gas in public – if you do be sure and say, “Excuse me”.
11. If you sneeze in public, cover your mouth and say “excuse me”.
12. Always be on time – between 5 minutes early and 5 minutes late, no more.
13. If you say that you will attend something–attend! Don’t say “yes” to be nice and then not show up.
14. If for some reason you cannot attend, call the host ahead of time to explain.
15. Use deodorant and brush your teeth or use mouthwash. Americans are very sensitive about body odors.
16. Driving – do not honk the horn, except in very dangerous emergencies. It is considered very rude, except in New York City.
17. Do not flash your lights at someone to tell them to hurry or get out of your way.
18. If you are driving on bright lights for better visibility and a car comes toward you, dim your lights.
19. Before 8 AM and after 9 PM Be Quiet. No loud TV or radio.
20. Do not wipe off your cup or silverware in a restaurant. They are clean. If you see that they are not clean ask the waiter or waitress for a new one.
21. When moving out of your dorm room or apartment-leave it clean. always leave a place even cleaner than you found it–people will have fond memories of you.
22. Do not address your school teacher as “teacher”. Call him by name: for example, Professor Brown, Mr. Smith, Ms. Jones.
23. Never throw trash on the ground or out a window–it is illegal.
24. Buy trash bags for your trash and put it out only at the appointment time at the right place.
25. When you have a guest come to visit, turn down, or off the TV set.

Compiled by Tej Kohli

Few more terms and their meanings by Tej Kohli

1. Credit
An instructional activity performed by students that applies toward their program of studies.

2. Dual credit
NHMCCD agreements with several high school districts which permit eligible high school students to earn college credit while concurrently satisfying high school graduation requirements.

3. English as a Second Language (ESL)
A course designed for non-native speakers of English.

4. Global Exploration for Students (GES)
Same term as study abroad for students

5. Grade-point average (GPA)
The sum of grade points earned for each course determined by multiplying the number of points for each grade by the number of credit hours the course carries.

If you are applying for F1 Student Visa to USA, must avoid these 4 Most Common Mistakes that may lead to denial of US student F1 Visa.
- by Tej Kohli

The 4 most common problems that affect students from getting to the USA on student visas, English skills, not a serious student, money & they have a relative who lives in the USA all ready. These problems are associated more with students that are from developing countries, developed nations students are not usually scrutinized to the same level, as the likelihood that they will stay illegally in the USA is much less.

1. English skill; you need to be able to do the school work in English. It is OK that you will need to get some additional English skills when you get to the US, but for most potential students you cannot go to the USA to study English. The higher your TOEFL score, the better your chances of getting a USA F1 Visa, if it is real low under lets say 200 you might want to study English at home and bring that number up as is true for most USA Visas, the first time you apply has the highest likelihood that you will get accepted.

2. You are perceived as not being a serious student. The thought is if you are not a serious student then you should be applying for a tourist visa which will allow you to take some classes. Serious students have good grades and they take lots of classes in their home countries before they try to go the USA.

3. Money It is expected that most students will work when they are in the USA, but you must have enough resources to support yourself and to pay your tuitions and book fees before you get the visa. The work that you would seek would be the traditional college experience, part time pizza money type job.

4. You have a relative that lives in the USA all ready. There is a high incidence of people who have relatives in the USA that they will go to work for that relative; you would think that it would help the applicant, but it is the other way around.

Any of these 4 problems are easy to fix if you feel that one of these problems affects you it is best to talk to a immigration lawyer or immigration specialist before you file your application; again your first application is going to have the best chance of success, so getting it right the first time is a big step towards achieving your goals.

Tej Kohli gives some guidelines for Indian students, who wish to do MBA from US.
The US continues to be the destination of choice for Indian students seeking an MBA from a foreign university. Undeterred by the post 9/11 visa restrictions, Indian students constituted the largest group of foreign students in the US for the sixth consecutive year in 2006-2007.

Selection for an MBA programme is based on a consideration of educational background and academic achievements, basic skills in English, professional experience and personal statements.

Eligibility for admission to an MBA program in the US

The basic minimum requirement in most US universities is a degree from an accredited US four-year undergraduate college/university or its equivalent. For an Indian aspirant, this means that a three-year degree programme does not meet the eligibility criterion. To be considered for admission in US, an Indian student must have a post-graduate degree or a professional four-year degree like engineering or a degree from a recognized one-year university affiliated programme. Completion of the first year of a two-year degree course may not meet the eligibility criterion of most US business schools.

1. GMAT (Graduate Management Admissions Test)
   GMAT is a must not only for admission but also for getting a student visa. Both quantitative and verbal scores are considered separately. A good score will give you an edge above the others.
2. TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
   TOEFL is another requirement for Indian students from non-English speaking universities. It is a measure of one’s reading, listening, speaking and writing skills in English. There are facilities both for paper-based test as well as internet-based test. The minimum scores required for most universities range from 550 to 600 on the paper-based TOEFL and 213 to 250 on the computer based TOEFL.
3. Letters of recommendation/ references/ assessment reports either academic or/and professional are required:
   Usually two or three such letters are required from individuals other than family members assessing the applicant’s performance either in an academic institution or at the work place. It is advisable to get references from both academic as well as professional sources.
4. Personal statements/admission essays have to be submitted:
   These essays are a very important component of the admission form. Care should be taken to explain how a master’s degree in that particular school fits in with the applicant’s career plans. It is recommended that both essays as well as letters of recommendation be fine tuned with the respective vision of the particular school.
5. Work experience:
   Work experience, usually between 3 to 5 years, is an important consideration in most schools. This has to be relevant. An interview may be required with the Admission Committee.

How to apply for Harvard University by Tej Kohli.

Harvard University was started with an academic model of English university associated with Puritan philosophy. At present, Harvard University aims to foster an atmosphere of freedom to think, express oneself, create and explore. The environment of diversity, critical thinking and excellence taps into the potential of each student. Harvard University has to its credit famous alumni like seven of US’ presidents. It is the top university in the country, in fact in the world.
The requirements for Harvard university admissions are as follows:

1. The Application form: One may request for or download application forms from the admissions website. On line application is also an option. Financial aid may be granted and Financial aid forms may be filled out along with the regular application forms.
2. Fee: An application fee of $65 applies. The fee may be paid on-line using a credit card or through check/money order. The applicant’s name must appear on the check or money order, and the check/money order should be attached to the application form.
3. Official score reports from the SAT I or ACT , and three SAT II Subject Tests.
4. Secondary School Report and Mid-Year School Report: This report must be filled out by the school counselor or college adviser.
5. Two Teacher Evaluations: Teachers writing the evaluation must be of two different academic subjects and has sufficient knowledge of student’s performance and character. Applicant’s teachers during the last two years of secondary school is recommended.

These requirements should be mailed to the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid before last date, at 86 Brattle StreetCambridge, MA 02138.
After 1-2 weeks upon receipt of application, admissions office will send an e-mail to the applicant, providing an access code needed to access the information on line.