International Student Forum/ Message Board

Hi everybody,

I'm trying to go to school in the States. I have recently recieved my I-20 form, but there are some problems in it.

The first one is: Its a community college, so I'm supposed to pursue an Associates degree there. but on the I-20, on item 5 where it shows normal length of study it says "normal length of study is 12 months". isn't this too short of a period to obtain an Associates degree? or is there anything that i'm not getting right here?

The Second BIG one is: The designated school official did not sign the I-20 form at the end... How can that be? Before getting this I-20, I had recieved another one which was just fullllll of such problems so I had to ask for another one from the college... but as u see, the other one is not any better.. although the previous one had at least a signature on it... Would that be a big deal at the embassy?

I'm trying to contact the college about this, but it is really really hard to get a hold of them... but i really want to go there to study. and i have to go for an interview at the embassy on the 13th of august, so i'm short on time as well... Please anybody, help me out with any kind of advise you can give...

Hi. I think you should make sure they sign it, I am in a very similar situation only my I20 still has not arrived. But I hope they have signed it. You should contact them, in fact I have read on their Embassy webpage that it must be signed and so on. I believe it is so. I am almost 99% percent sure. I also am going to a Community College and I will need to tell them all clearly, even what i still don;t know about the future, but oh well.I got rejected last year, on a B2(visitor for pleasure), because I am not working and they said I couldn;t prove I was coming back. Incredible but true, it always happens I guess. I showed them enough money from my parents account. And nothing. I hope that is not a problem when getting a F1, because I have loans coming from american cosigners, with citizenship, born there. And my parents bank statement as well too.
About the length I think that shouldnt be a problem, because you can extend it after the first year again, as long as you study full time. But let;s wait for professional answers. Anyways, may I ask you where are you from? It may be a coincidence but hahah, I go on the 13th of August too. And to be honest, we may have to delay the interview for some days if things dont work fast. You can call 3 days before the date in case you want to delay it. I would call earlier though. I am waiting for my I20 as well and my Loans proof and everything. And I am supposed to start the classes on the 21st of August. The main thing, I have been reading, is to tell them all your plans, what you are planning to study, and why, and how you can prove you are coming back to your home country after your studies in the US. Also how is it good for you to study that degree in the US, why you chose that one...blah blah blah. I sincerely, myself, go without any excitement, I dont expect them to be fair at all. I was alawys honest last year and they rejected me. But who knows, they may do things better this time. CAUSE MINE ARE ALL IN ITS RIGHT PLACE. Anyways keep in contact and let me know how it is going, for I am also waiting for answers as well. We are in a very similar circumstance.

Regards,
Martin.

Hey, Martin. Thanks for you response. It's funny how we're in such a similar situation because I'm supposed to start my school on the 21st as well! hahah And I'm from Uzbekistan. U? What college r u going to?
yeah I will have to contact them about the signature... but man... I'm sooo short on time! Hope everything will be fine. About the length of study I really hope that you are right. If anybody knows more please drop some lines about it...

And Martin, wish you good luck! and myself too =) keeep me updated with the news!

Haha, well man, that's a big coincidence! I am in Spain though! So we won't be able to meet at the embassy haha. What a funny thing. I am going to Missouri , Wentworth is the name of the College. Where you going to!? But call the College and ask them for a signature again! I think it is mandatory! But don't worry about the time because you can always be late at your College I bet, like 1 or 2 weeks, if you contact them. But if you going to be late for the embassy then call them 3 days prior to the current date. So you can make sure you have everything in order. I wish you good luck too and I will contact you with the news. Hope I receive the I20 in 4 days or so and I have to get the loans still...the papers. So...here I am, waiting, I apply tomorrow for them too. The I20 is already done though. HAHA i think im repeating myself, cause im freaking nervous, cause last year they rejected me that tourist VISA...

Hope we both do better this time and contact me with news and so I will!

Regards,
Martin

Hey Foxmiller, I obtained an answer from the International Advisor for my questions. Concerning the time of start of school, he said it is very important we are on time, he said this, wait i will show you:

"Your I-20 that you should have received from the university gives
you a date by which you need to enter the U.S. The immigration officer
when you enter the US is not required to allow you to enter after that
date. In addition, if you are late getting to the university, there is
also a possibility that they will not let you start classes after the
start date."

So we better watch out, I am even considering waiting till next semester and delaying the interview for a week or 2. You should email him here:

crawleyj@gvsu.edu

His name is Jim, he answered me real fast and he is very nice and informative.
Ask him your doubts and let's see what happens. Good luck man.

I can't remember if you did e-mail me directly but here is what I can tell you.

Yes, the I-20 MUST be signed to be valid. They may require that you return the first one before they will send another, but probably not. Have you been able to reach them yet by phone, e-mail or fax?

On-time arrival is usually mandatory. There may be a required orientation and many faculty will not allow you to register for your class if you are arriving late. That policy vaires from school to school and even faculty member to faculty member.

Martin is right regarding the entry date on your I-20. Althgough I have no idea why they only issued it for one year, he is also correct about being able to have the school extend it for an additional year.

Jim

I am Anna Mulwa, Director and PDSO of San Francisco Institute of English in San Francisco CA. I only wished that all of you were coming to our school but I guess you do not need to prepare for the TOEFL exam or improve your English.

I am the principal International Advisor and have been working as one for 15 years. You really need to get that I-20 form signed or at least, get the school to fax or email you a letter stating that they had forgotten to sign the I-20 form. The embassy knows that it is not your fault so I am sure that they will not deny your visa on those grounds.

All schools can only issue the I-20 form for the length of our term or up to one year at a time. When you continue with your school, they will issue you a new I-20 form for every year. I know that it is a pain but that are the new rules on SEVIS. It is not your concern-it is the responsibility of the school to extend your I-20 each year. If you transfer to another school, your old school will send your I-20 to the new school and they will issue you another I-20 form with new dates.

Good luck at the embassy. Be really nice and have all of your paperwork ready for them. Did you pay your SEVIS fee and have the receipt?

If you have any other questions-I am happy to answer you at sfie@slip.net.

Anna Mulwa
Director
San Francisco Institute of English
3301 Balboa Street @ 34th Ave
San Francisco CA. 94121
(415) 750-1755
(415) 750-9939-fax

you can get a scanned copy from ur college, on your email id (shown in your visa application form), duly signed by college. take a print out and produce with unsigned/signed scanned copy and explain to visa officer.

hi brother

I understand your problem and the solution is simple. I recommend that apply to a 4 year college..........dont scared I know that community colleges are generally cheap but the college which I am reffering you is also not too expensive. You wont be able get visa on community college easily and community colleges generally dont really care at first about these mistakes. Man it is a sincere advice for you. I can really help you and no one will help you in this way. I can help you in applying to Capitol College in Maryland which is not a community college and it is great. Let me know if you want to apply I can help you with the process which is fast simple and without complications and staff will really care about you.

Ahmed Tariq

Hello, Well as far as i see it they made it for u just for a year,they don't look if its a two year college or not they make you the i 20 for as long as whatever time you agree to pay tuition. And it also depends what you took as your major. But no metter what they NEED to sign it

you definitely contact that college or school to get help about the form filling problems. coz they are da only one to guide you rightly.