A student’s recent Reddit post detailing his F-1 visa interview success has struck a chord with aspirants preparing for US student visas. The candid account sheds light on what worked not just in terms of documents and answers, but also mindset and preparation.
Dressed in a dark plaid shirt and light grey jeans (notably the only candidate wearing jeans), the student approached the interview with quiet confidence. ‘Good morning, officer,’ he greeted, handing over his I-20 and passport.
‘Don’t give scripted answers’
The consular officer (VO) began with a routine question about other universities the student had applied to. But the tone quickly shifted when the VO leaned in and asked, “Why do you want to pursue an MS? Give me a genuine response.”
When the student began talking about his full stack development background, the officer interrupted: “Why MS? Don’t give a scripted answer.”
Unfazed, the student responded, “No, this is my genuine response,” and elaborated on his technical experience—React, Node.js, Next.js and FastAPI. He acknowledged a clear motivation: while building full stack apps, especially those involving machine learning or complex logic, he faced challenges he wanted to overcome. Pursuing a master’s degree, he explained, would help him build deeper problem-solving skills.
From projects to personal background
The officer drilled deeper. “What kind of projects?” the VO asked. The student offered a specific example from his ongoing internship, which added authenticity to his narrative.
Next came a question about his family background, specifically, his father’s profession which the student answered straightforwardly.
Then came a curveball: “Is Java an object-oriented programming language?”
“Yes, it is,” the student replied.
A green light
With a nod and a simple “Approved,” the interview ended. “Thank you. Have a nice day,” the student said, wrapping up a conversation that was as much about technical competence as it was about honesty and clarity of purpose.
Key takeaways from the student’s experience
This student’s success came down to a few key principles:
- Genuine Motivation: Avoid memorised answers. Reflect on your real reasons for pursuing graduate studies.
- Be specific: General statements don’t work. Talk about actual projects and experiences.
- Confidence with humility: He dressed simply, spoke clearly and didn’t pretend to know more than he did.
- Know Your Basics: Even a simple technical question like “Is Java object-oriented?” can be a make-or-break moment.
His closing line summed it up best: “Very thankful to people who posted their experience here.” In turn, his post now offers a valuable roadmap for others.