A student recently took to Reddit to share their experience after facing rejection during their first attempt at securing an F-1 visa. The individual, who applied for admission to North Carolina State University (NCSU), said, “The refusal has left me feeling quite discouraged, and I’ve lost some courage for a second attempt.”
Last-Minute DS-160 Submission Created Initial Hurdle
The applicant revealed that their appointment was scheduled for July 17, but due to receiving the date unexpectedly, they had to submit their DS-160 form just one day earlier, on July 16. This caused confusion during the process.
“When I reached Counter No. 2 for passport verification, the officer looked at me and said, ‘You submitted your DS-160 yesterday, so your appointment has been canceled for today.’ I was very surprised, as I had received no cancellation email,” the student wrote.
The applicant said they explained the situation and showed that the embassy had earlier advised them to attend as scheduled. After some back and forth, they were permitted to continue with biometrics and later directed to Counter No. 11 for the actual visa interview.
Interview Questions and Sudden Refusal
The student recounted their conversation with the Visa Officer (VO), sharing the detailed exchange:
Visa Officer: Why did you choose this university?
Me: I chose the University of North Carolina State University for a couple of reasons. It offers unique programs and courses like Anatomy and Physiology, Biology, Chemistry, and Math. These courses prepare me for their Early Assurance Program (EAP), through which I can pursue a Doctor of Pharmacy.
Visa Officer: Did you apply to any other universities?
Me: Yes, I applied to Rutgers, Howard, Smith, Williams, UNC, and the University of Portland.
Visa Officer: Who is your sponsor?
Me: My father is my primary sponsor.
Visa Officer: What does he do?
Me: My father has been running a distribution business for over 15 years under the name Maa Enterprise. He supplies products from companies like Aftab, Golden, and Feenlay.
The applicant said the officer then looked at his computer, appeared disappointed, and stated: “I can’t approve your visa.” The rejection was issued under Section 214(b).
Concerns Over Ties and Future Attempts
Providing further context, the student mentioned that their brother is currently enrolled at the same university. While neither sibling has prior travel history, their father has undertaken several international business trips.
The Reddit post ended with the applicant asking the community for feedback, experiences, and guidance on how to improve their chances during the second attempt. “The refusal has left me feeling quite discouraged and I’ve lost some courage for a second attempt. I’m hoping you can help me understand what went wrong and advise me on the specific areas I need to improve,” they concluded.