You probably know that if you want to go to the United States to get an education, you will need to acquire a student visa. But did you know that in order to get it, you will need to pass an interview? But do not worry, today, we are going to tell you all about the USA student visa interview questions and possible answers so that you can go in prepared.
Now, if you are seriously considering going to the U.S. to study, you probably already know that getting a student visa is no easy feat. However, we can help you at least a little bit with one of the most important parts of the visa application process — the dreaded interview.
Most questions you will probably be asked can be divided into five categories. You will be asked about:
- Your study plans;
- The educational institution(s) of your choice;
- Your academic prowess;
- Your financial capabilities;
- Your plans after graduation.
Let’s talk about each category in more detail.
Questions about study plans for a student visa to USA
This category of questions focuses on your plans for studying in America. You can expect to be asked questions similar to the ones asked in interviews and essays when applying to a university. Here are some questions you might be asked:
- Why did you decide to choose U.S. to get your education? Why not the UK, Canada or any other country?
- What are you majoring in? What will be your specialisation?
- Can you not continue studying in your own country?
- What is your previous educational/work experience?
- How will the programme of your choice relate to what you have previously studied or worked on?
As some of these questions require answers that apply only to you and your experiences, we cannot answer them for you. However, if you are asked about why you have chosen the United States, you should talk about how the U.S. offer the best quality education in the world, and that an American diploma holds a significant weight. Wanting to see the States is not a valid reason.
You must also think about the reasons why you cannot continue studying in Nigeria. It might be because the universities in the country do not offer programmes for your specialty, or because the quality of education in your region is not as high as you need it to be.
Questions about educational institutions of choice for a U.S. visa
Questions from this category are meant to determine how prepared you are to study in the U.S. By that, we mean how well you know the educational institution of your choice, as well as your application success rate. You can expect something along these lines:
- How many educational institutions did you apply to?
- How many of them granted admission to you? How many rejected you?
- Have you ever been to the States?
- Where is your educational institution of choice located?
- Do you know the names of your prospective professors?
To answer these questions, you must do at least a little bit of research on your institution of choice. Of course, you do not have to memorise every single thing about it, but if you know at least a few names of your professors, you should be OK.
As for acceptance/rejection rate, you have no other choice but to tell the truth. It is hard to say how it might influence your chances of getting a visa, but you should not be dishonest while answering this question.
Questions about academic capabilities for an American visa
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It will probably come as no surprise that you will be asked about your grades and the like. Prepare to answer questions about your GPA and test scores, as well as show the papers that prove that. The interviewer might also ask you about how you will deal with the cultural and academic differences between Nigeria and the U.S. You might be asked the following things:
- What is your GPA?
- How is your knowledge of English? What are your test scores for IELTS/TOEFL/etc.?
- How will you be able to acclimate to studying and living in the U.S.?
While we cannot help you with the answers for the first two questions, we can give you a hand with the last one. If you are asked that, you should say that you will do your best to study and adapt to your surroundings, and that different environment will not influence your learning experience.
Questions about financial capabilities for a USA visa
This is probably the most important section, as nobody will give you a visa if you are not be able to support yourself financially during your stay in the U.S. Prepare to be asked about your income, financial plan, tax returns, scholarships and more (and to provide proofs). These are some of the questions you should be ready for:
- How much will it cost you to study in the educational institution of your choice?
- Do you have a scholarship for your programme?
- How will you cover your school fees? Who will cover your school fees?
- How will you cover living expenses while in the U.S.?
- How much do you/your sponsor earn in a month/year?
- What is your/your sponsor’s occupation?
As long as you have a solid financial plan and all the necessary documentation, this section should be a piece of cake for you.
Questions about post-graduation plans for a student visa for USA
As the student visa is only granted to people who plan to return home after they finish their studies, you will be asked about your plans after graduation. These are the questions you might be asked:
- What are you going to do after you graduate?
- Do you plan to stay in the U.S. after finishing your studies?
- Do you intend to go home after finishing your studies?
- What career path do you have in mind after graduation?
Whatever you are asked, you need to make it clear that you have no plans of staying in the U.S. after you graduate. Tell the interviewer about how you are going to apply your education back home. Explain your career plans back home so that there is no doubt about whether you are going to stay in the U.S.
The most important thing you need to remember is that you have to answer truthfully during your interview. While it is true that you should try to ‘sell’ yourself better, do not overdo it, or it might cost you a visa! All that said, as long as you are prepared for your interview, you should not worry. Stay calm, answer the questions, provide the necessary documents, and you should be all set! Best of luck to you in your interview!
READ ALSO: US visa requirements for Nigerian citizens
Source: Naija.ng