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Honesty is the best policy when at the visa counter

Shubhra Tandon

EducationPlus Two important criteria are whether a student can pay for education and whether he/she is an honest and serious student

ALL ATTENTION: Students aspiring to go abroad for further studies at a visa seminar organised by the United States Education Foundation in India at Hyderabad. — Photo: Mohd. Yousuf

"If you are honest and give all personal details truthfully, there are still chances that you might not get the (student) visa to US. But if you lie, I guarantee you will never get one," said Ian Hopper, deputy non-immigrant visa chief, US Consulate General, Chennai, while addressing the queries of students aspiring to take up higher studies in United States.

The discussion was organised by United States Educational Foundation in India (USEFI), Chennai and UNITI Foundation, a satellite centre of USEFI, Hyderabad on Thursday. During the discussion, Mr. Hopper informed students that during the visa interview, two important criteria that they look for are whether the student can pay for the school and is he/she an honest and serious student.

Mr. Hopper warned the students against producing fake documents and lying over any issue for obtaining visas.

Students should abstain from producing fake documents either on academic qualifications or financial cedentials and such practices would mar their chances permanently.

Explaining about the services of UNITI Foundation, Manjiri Ganu, educational advisor said that it helps students in choosing the programme depending on his/her personality, short-listing universities and preparing the statement of purpose (SOP).

Statement of purpose

"The universities give a lot of weight to SOP, hence it is important for the students to spend at least three weeks working on it. Another important aspect is communication between you and the universities. The better you are in articulation and communication skills, higher your chances of getting into the university of your choice," said Ms. Ganu.

Clearing doubts on the spot admissions offered by various US universities, Ms. Ganu told the students that it was "illegal for universities to give on-the-spot admissions. No admissions happen across the table."

According to Mr. Hopper, 76,503 Indian students got admissions into US universities last year.

The most sought after courses include engineering and management. Pharmacy is also catching up fast, said Ms. Ganu.

There were some reports recently, saying that the United States authorities have relaxed the eligibility criterion for foreign students applying for Masters degree in US universities from 16 years to 15 years.

Ms. Manjiri Ganu, educational advisor, UNITI Foundation cleared doubts over the issue saying,

"This is not being followed universally. Some universities are doing it, which may include certain top universities too, but it is a very random thing so it will be difficult to say which ones." For information on the scope and availability of jobs related to a course visit www.bls.gov.

For list of accredited universities visit www.chea.org

For information and details on postponing the visa interview visit www.vfs-usa.co.in

More details about education in the United States can be had from UNITI Foundation at: 702, Paigha Plaza, Basheer Bagh, Hyderabad. Ph: 66668435/37 or www.unitifoundation.org.

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