“This is my first time, since my first time. ” - Jim, from the movie ‘American Pie 2′
In order to acquire an education in the United States, there are several necessary documents one must have.
One needs to acquire a student visa and a certificate of eligibility and to fill up several other forms aside from the applications one is to send out to prospective academic institutions.
Ok - try not to get overwhelmed.
Let’s take this one step at a time.
First a foremost, before one can be issued a student visa, there are several requirements one must obtain, forms one must fill up and submit.
(*taken from UnitedStatesVisas.gov)
1. A certificate of eligibility which you must get from your sponsoring educational institution in the U.S. If you are a regular student (an F visa) you’ll get Form I-20. If you are part of an approved exchange program (a J visa) you’ll get Form DS-1920.
* Further clarification will be made regarding student visas in an upcoming post.
2. Application Form DS-156
3. Form DS-158
4. Current, valid passport or travel document
5. Photograph. Requirements are strict for photograph size, type and quality. Please check with your nearest consulate for specifications before you get your picture taken.
6. Application fees. All applicants must pay the application fee. Some applicants, according to nationality and type of visa, must also pay an issuance fee.
7. Evidence of funds to cover expenses in the United States
8. Evidence of compelling social and economic ties abroad
For men between 16 and 45 years of age, a supplemental visa application Form DS-157 is also required.
Applications for student visas are sent through the US Embassy or Consulate in your country of origin.
An important thing to remember about applying for a student visa is to apply early - that is, one is allowed to apply 90 days in advance of the date of enrollment stated in one’s certificate of eligibility.
Still hungry?
Savor these starters, while I brew up the next post.
Graduating in 2004 from Ateneo de Manila with a major in AB Communication and a minor in AB History, Nikki Alfonso lives for the written word. Her passion for writing began with a poem she composed about an elephant and a red rubber ball when she was 7 years old. From then on, she became fixated with words, using them to move readers, to expressively get her message across and to make up stories with her friends about imaginary rendezvous with matinee idols and boy bands. She had her first taste of being a salaried writer in January 2004 when she began writing for Eversun Software Corporation. Prompted by the need to find a job after graduation, her love of putting pen to paper and entertainment, she decided to take on a full-time job in television as a creative staff member and writer wherein she would be paid for daydreaming and telling stories. Wanting to give back to a cause close to her heart, she also writes for JADE -- an online magazine seeking to showcase English-speaking Asian women as intelligent and well-accomplished movers and shakers in their respective fields. Nikki believes that in order for one to be truly called a writer, the ability to empathize and the potency to create with heart are pre-requisites. Flunk in those departments and you don't get a diploma.
