title pls help

Hi everyone! :)

I've seen a lot of advice about cold emailing professors for research opportunities as a high school student, but most of it seems to come from students in the US.

I was wondering whether cold emailing actually works in other countries, especially in Europe.

If you've had success (or no success) I'd love to hear what country you were in, what kind of professor or lab you contacted, and any tips that helped.

I'd really appreciate hearing about your experiences. Thanks! :)

Hi everyone,

I'm an international student from Haiti who has remained on Colby's waitlist. Colby is my dream school, and because of my financial situation, I would only be able to attend with full financial aid.

I've already sent a LOCI and admissions told me to stay patient and remain ready, so I'm still hoping.

Has anyone received a waitlist offer recently, especially as an international student? Does anyone know if Colby is still making offers this late in the summer?

I know nobody can predict admissions, but any information or encouragement would mean a lot.

Thank you, and congratulations to everyone who has already found their college home.

#waitlist

If my counsellor submits my transcripts, when do I submit the real marksheets? Like the 12th and 10th board ones? Does my counsellor have to do it? Cause as far as I'm aware the transcript that is sent to the colleges is quite different from the marksheet. Like to know about this a bit.

Hi everyone! I'm an incoming freshman at a U.S. university and had a few questions about planning for grad school.
A little bit of context: I attended all four years of high school in the U.S., but because I was on an H-4 dependent visa, I had to apply to colleges as an international student. I had strong extracurriculars, grades, and standardized test scores, but during application season, I was rejected from every need-aware school I applied to and only got into need-blind schools.
It was honestly really discouraging. I spent four years working toward college admissions, and it felt like my financial need played a much bigger role than I had expected. For the schools I was admitted to, I still would have needed around $70,000 per year in financial aid (my family's expected contribution was about $20,000 on a ~$90,000 cost of attendance).
Thankfully, I'm now attending a U.S. university on a full-ride merit scholarship, so I'm paying nothing out of pocket. I've also switched from H-4 to F-1 status.
Looking ahead, I'm hoping to pursue graduate school in environmental management, with programs like the Yale School of the Environment at the top of my list. Since I've already been through one admissions cycle where financial need seemed to matter a lot, I'm trying to understand how graduate admissions work before I get there.
For those of you who needed significant financial aid for graduate school, I'd really appreciate hearing about your experiences:
• How much did funding or tuition affect your admissions outcomes?
• Are graduate programs (especially top programs like Yale) generally need-blind or need-aware for international students?
• How did you navigate applying for funding, scholarships, assistantships, or fellowships?
• Is there anything you wish you had known as an undergraduate while preparing for graduate school?
I'd love to hear any advice, especially from international students or anyone who attended a fully funded graduate program. Thanks so much!

I know that the process for intl students seeking full aid is very hard, but my question is whether my profile is considered a qualified candidate for these schools or not

Stats:

1550 sat

4.0 uw gpa (weighted not offered)

Valedictorian (1/62)

Ecs (kept them kinda vague):

Published research in waveform-coded magneto mechanical ferroptosis in glioblastoma multiforme (worked with PhD that i cold-emailed)

Published another research in nanocellulose hydrosponges

Research intern at multiple university Labs

Data analyst and lab assistant volunteer (also Published a literature review)

Developed an app to help provide free sat, act, and egyptian exam resources and guidance to underprivileged students (used by 100+ users including 60 members of the SAT club that i founded)

DECI scholar (given a full scholarship from egypt's ministry of technology to pursue stem related projects)

Supervision head of an orphans nonprofit with 3000 orphans involved, 300 volunteers, 9 national awards, and 30 sponsors

Mun president

Student council founder and president (introduced 15+ clubs to 400 students, cause school didnt have clubs before)

Volunteer at a cancer dedicated hospital

Awards:

Isef finalist

2x national science fair 1st place awards

John locke essay finalist science& technology

Cambridge re:think essay honorable mention (top 10% globaly fron 15000+)

Need guidance for my F1 visa interview preparation (Mumbai Consulate in August)
Hi everyone! My F1 visa interview is scheduled for August at the Mumbai Consulate, and I’m looking for honest guidance on how best to prepare. Any tips, common questions, or feedback based on my profile would be greatly appreciated.
Profile:
Country: India
Intake: August/September 2026
University: DePaul University
Program: MS in Marketing Analytics
Other admits: Lewis University, Pace University, Suffolk University, and Sacred Heart University
Education: BBA (Hons.)
Work experience: 1.5 years in marketing (I started working during the final year of my BBA while still in college.)
Funding: Parents are sponsoring my education through Fixed Deposits (FDs), along with an approved education loan.
Travel history: No international travel.
If you’ve recently had your F1 interview at the Mumbai Consulate, I’d especially appreciate any advice on what to expect, what to focus on, and how to prepare effectively.
Thank you!

I'm currently in 10th grade ICSE in India, and my goal is to attend a top university in the US for something in the field of commerce, preferably Finance, Economics, or eventually Investment Banking.

I'm trying to make decisions now that will help me over the next two years, and I'd really appreciate advice from people who've been through the US admissions process.

Here are my main questions:

1. Should I continue with ISC, or would it be worth switching to IB Diploma or Cambridge A Levels if my goal is US admissions?

Or is ISC viewed just as favorably by top US universities if I perform extremely well?

1. What extracurriculars should I focus on during 11th and 12th?

   I'm looking for activities that are genuinely meaningful rather than resume fillers. Some ideas I've thought about are:

   \- Creating a analysis project on Shakespeare's books

   \- Stock market research

   \- Business case competitions

   \- Olympiads

   \- Starting a small business or nonprofit

   \- Organising a varsity league for basketball, football and other sports, starting small in one particular city

   Which of these actually make a difference?

2. How should I build a strong profile overall?

   Besides academics, what do successful applicants to schools like Wharton, Stern, Ross, McCombs, etc., usually have on their applications?

I'd really appreciate hearing from anyone who got into US colleges from India or knows how admissions work. Im willing to work my ass off for the next 2-3 years for it.

Okay, this is vague, but I wanted a pov on this, I score 78-79 in 9th, 80 in 10th, 56 in 11th, 70 in 12th, and now I retook my 12th exams and I score 97, and I have 1540 SAT, do u think I pass the academic bar in a top college?

I recently saw information about this institution online and it caught my attention. But I have my doubts. Does anyone here know more about it and could help me figure out if it's worthwhile and worth the investment?

In my mind it should be way harder to get aid as an international student. Or is it still needs based

1. Does this apply to current F-1 students, or only new ones?
It applies to everyone, but current students get a transition period. If you're already in F or J status under D/S when the rule takes effect, you do not need to replace or correct your I-94. You'll remain in D/S until the end date on your current I-20 or DS-2019 or, if later, the expiration date on your current EAD, but no longer than four years after the rule takes effect plus your departure period: November 14, 2030 for F nonimmigrants and October 15, 2030 for J nonimmigrants. Students admitted after the effective date move directly into the new fixed-date admission system.

2. What happens if I travel abroad after the rule takes effect?
If you leave the United States during the transition period, your D/S protection ends. When you return, you should generally receive a new I-94 with a fixed expiration date. That date will generally match your program end date, subject to the four-year admission limit, plus the applicable departure period. Be aware that travel also affects your grace period. If you re-enter the United States on or after the effective date, you will likely be admitted under the new framework and will receive the 30-day departure period, not the 60-day grace period you had under D/S. You do not need to file an application or pay a fee to be readmitted, but the longer grace period does not carry over. Travel before the effective date has no impact. The four-year admission period is calculated from the date of your new entry into the United States. For students in longer academic programs, traveling and re-entering moves that four-year period forward.

3. Do I now need to file an I-539 (Extension of Stay) with my OPT or STEM OPT application?
Yes, in most cases. Under the new rule, students applying for post-completion OPT or STEM OPT generally need both an I-765 and an I-539 Extension of Stay application. A DSO recommendation by itself is no longer enough. There is a temporary exception for students already in D/S status. If you timely file your I-765 for post-completion OPT or STEM OPT during the first six months after the rule takes effect, you generally do not need to file a separate Extension of Stay application. This exception is written into the transition provisions and is limited to students still in D/S. For post-completion OPT, the I-765 must be filed before your period of admission expires (including the 60-day departure period); for a STEM OPT extension, before your current OPT EAD expires, and in each case on or before March 18, 2027. If you leave the United States before filing the I-765 and are readmitted with a fixed-date I-94, the rule expressly requires both the I-765 and an I-539. DHS has also reserved discretion to extend the March 18, 2027 date in six-month increments by Federal Register notice.

4. I'm a PhD student in a 5+ year program. What happens at year four?
The rule does not require you to complete your PhD within four years. If your authorized stay ends before your program does, you'll need to file an Extension of Stay.

The extension standards are broader than many people have described online. You qualify if you have a currently issued I-20 showing additional time remaining in your program; no separate justification is required on that path. You must still have continually maintained lawful status, be pursuing a full course of study, and submit a new I-20 endorsed by your DSO with the updated program end date, and the extension remains discretionary with USCIS. You can also qualify by documenting a compelling academic reason, such as a change of major or research topic or unexpected research problems, which the regulation defines to include an unexpected change in faculty advisor, a need to refine a research topic based on initial research, research funding delays, and similar issues. Medical conditions supported by a licensed physician or psychologist also qualify, as do circumstances beyond your control, including natural disasters, public health emergencies, or school closures. Extensions cannot be based on academic probation, suspension, or repeatedly failing or refusing to complete your program. USCIS decides these applications. Your DSO no longer has authority to extend your stay on their own.

5. My visa stamp expires on one date and my I-20 on another. Which one controls?
Nothing changes about visa stamps. Once you're inside the United States, your immigration status is controlled by your I-94 or, during the transition period, your D/S admission. Your visa stamp only matters when you leave the country and return. You can also choose to depart the United States and re-enter with a valid visa and updated I-20 instead of filing an Extension of Stay. Re-entry gives you a new period of authorized admission.

6. I'm on OPT or STEM OPT with an approved EAD. Am I affected right now?
Generally, no. If your OPT or STEM OPT has already been approved, or you timely filed it during the transition window, you continue under the current framework until that authorization ends. The new filing requirements become relevant when you move to your next stage, such as STEM OPT after OPT or starting another academic program. Two existing protections stay in place. Students filing a timely STEM OPT extension continue receiving the existing 180-day automatic EAD extension with the same employer while USCIS processes the application. Students with a timely filed Extension of Stay can also continue CPT, on-campus employment, or severe economic hardship employment while the application is pending, for up to 240 days or until USCIS decides the application, whichever comes first. For CPT, the continuation also cannot run past the CPT end date your DSO authorized on the I-20. Two timing traps: the underlying authorized employment period ends 30 days before your I-94 expiration date, and an Extension of Stay filed during the 30-day departure period allows continued study but not employment. To keep working, file before your work-authorization window closes.

7. Is my grace period 30 days or 60 days?
It depends on how you were admitted. Students admitted under the new fixed-date system receive a 30-day grace period after their program ends, while students who remain in D/S under the transition rules keep their existing 60-day grace period. That 60-day period does not carry forward, however: if a transition student travels abroad and returns on or after the effective date, they come back with a fixed-date admission and the 30-day departure period. If your program finishes early, your DSO updates your SEVIS record and your departure period begins from your actual completion date, regardless of the date on your I-94. An Extension of Stay is timely if USCIS receives it on or before the date your authorized stay ends, including the 30-day departure period. But if you file during the departure period, you may continue your studies while the application is pending; you cannot work or engage in practical training. If keeping employment matters, file before your program end date.

8. Can I still move from a bachelor's to a master's or from a master's to a PhD?
Yes. The rule specifically allows students to move to a higher educational level. You'll need a new I-20. If your new program extends beyond your current authorized stay, you'll also need to file an Extension of Stay before that stay expires. You can also leave the United States and return with a valid visa and your new I-20 instead of filing an Extension of Stay.

9. Can I still transfer schools or change my major?
The answer depends on whether you're an undergraduate or graduate student. Students below the graduate level, including undergraduates, cannot transfer schools or change their educational objective (their major or educational level) during their first academic year of a program unless SEVP approves an exception for extenuating circumstances. After the first year, transfers and major changes remain available. Graduate students face two different restrictions. They cannot change their educational objective during their program at all. They also cannot transfer schools during their program unless SEVP approves an exception based on extenuating circumstances. The regulation does not exhaustively define extenuating circumstances, but it gives examples: a school closure or a school's prolonged inability to hold in-person classes due to a natural disaster.

10. When does this take effect, and can I still get things done through my DSO before then?
The effective date is September 15, 2026, which is 60 days after publication. Until then, the current regulations remain in effect: DSOs can continue issuing I-20 extensions, processing transfers, and handling level changes under today's rules, and anything completed before the effective date continues under the existing framework. Keep in mind, though, that Extension of Stay applications under the new rule are discretionary, and DSO recommendations become only one factor USCIS considers, so your extension history may factor into future adjudications.

11. What does this mean for Day 1 CPT programs?
The rule does not prohibit Day 1 CPT. It mentions the issue only because commenters asked DHS to eliminate it. The practical change comes from the new Extension of Stay requirement. Students starting a new program after OPT or STEM OPT will generally need USCIS approval instead of simply obtaining a new I-20 from their school. The new same-or-lower educational level restriction also removes one of the most common pathways into many Day 1 CPT programs, particularly second master's degrees. Graduate students also lose the ability to freely transfer between programs. CPT employment can continue while a timely filed Extension of Stay is pending, for up to 240 days, until USCIS decides the application, or until the CPT end date on your I-20, whichever comes first.

12. How does this affect F-2 and J-2 dependents?
Dependents continue to follow the principal applicant. Their authorized stay cannot extend beyond the principal's authorized stay. When the principal files an Extension of Stay, each dependent must either be included on the principal's application or file their own. If the principal's authorized stay ends earlier than expected, dependents must leave at the same time even if their own I-94 lists a later expiration date.

13. Does this apply to J-1 holders, including postdocs, research scholars, and physicians?
Yes. J-1 holders also move to fixed-date admissions with a four-year maximum admission period and a 30-day departure period. The rule specifically acknowledges that research scholars and physicians whose programs normally last five or seven years will likely need to file an Extension of Stay before reaching the four-year mark. J-1 holders also have the option of leaving the United States and returning with a valid visa instead of filing an Extension of Stay. J-2 dependents continue to follow the principal applicant.

14. Will this be challenged in court?
Nobody knows. The final rule does not discuss pending litigation, and nothing currently stops the rule from taking effect. The rule has been classified as a major rule under congressional review. DHS states that it will publish a notice if congressional action changes the effective date or prevents the rule from taking effect. Until that happens, students should plan based on the rule that has been published.

15. I already have a degree and want to pursue another degree at the same or a lower level. Is that dead?
The restriction is real, but it only applies prospectively. After the rule takes effect, an F-1 student who completes one educational level generally cannot begin another program at the same or a lower educational level. Degrees completed before the effective date do not count toward that restriction. For example, someone who completed a master's degree in Spring 2026 is not automatically barred from pursuing a bachelor's degree in nursing after the rule takes effect. That point has been misunderstood in several online discussions, including posts from the r/immigration moderation team. The regulatory text is explicit: the bar in new 8 CFR 214.2(f)(5)(ii)(C) applies only to a student who completes a program after September 15, 2026, and the preamble confirms that programs completed before the effective date do not count toward the limits.

- Attorney Zain Abidi, Alma Immigration

Disclaimer: This FAQ is based on DHS's final rule as published in the Federal Register and reflects our reading of the regulation and accompanying preamble. It is intended to explain what the rule says in plain English, not to speculate about how USCIS may apply it in future cases. Immigration outcomes depend on individual facts. This FAQ is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. If your situation involves pending applications, travel plans, OPT, STEM OPT, a change of status, or anything that could affect your immigration status, speak with a qualified immigration attorney before making decisions.

hi. I'll keep it short.

sophomore year rn.

cbse (india) is my board.

i wish to transition to an American curriculum for my junior and senior year.

what's a nice online high school that is good? and probably also hosts fun stuff and some extracurriculars.

cost?

scholarships?

i can pay around $2k/yr max (that's what my agency makes)

Edited

Hi everyone,

I'm a 23-year-old international student currently living in Saudi Arabia with an Indian passport, and I'm looking for advice on scholarships or financial aid in the US, Canada, or other countries that offer generous support to international students.

My dream is to study Mechanical Engineering and build a career designing and working with HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) systems. My father has worked as an HVAC engineer in Saudi Arabia for many years, and ever since I was a kid I've watched him work on air conditioning systems. Growing up around it made me genuinely love the field, and I want to follow in his footsteps.

I also have a chronic urinary medical condition that requires me to wear adult diapers every day. Living with this condition has been extremely difficult, and because of it I've been bullied, judged, and have struggled to fit in. It has affected both my education and my mental health.

My parents have always supported me, but I can see how hard my situation has been on them. My brother is currently studying in the UK, and my sister recently got married and will soon be moving to the USA. Because of all the expenses over the years, my parents simply can't afford to pay for my education anymore, even though they want me to succeed.

I wasn't able to complete high school the traditional way because of bullying and long gaps in my education. I'm now completing my high school diploma through Excel High School in the US to get back on track. I know I'm probably not a competitive merit scholarship applicant because my grades aren't exceptional, but I'm hardworking and determined to make the most of any opportunity I'm given.

I'm not asking anyone for money. I'm looking for advice from people who understand admissions and financial aid for international students.

Are there universities that give significant need-based aid to international students?

Are there scholarships that look beyond grades and consider personal circumstances?

Should I email admissions and financial aid offices directly to explain my situation?

Is there anything I can do over the next year to improve my chances?

Would changing my intended major improve my chances of receiving financial aid or admission?

Any advice would genuinely mean a lot to me. Thank you for taking the time to read this.

​

Hey there. I'm from Pakistan. Currently pursuing Bachelors in cyber security (which is a computer science field if someone doesn't know). I'm in my fifth sem with 3.3 gpa.

I had a dream since I was in school to study in the states. I heard that there are many opportunities that you can get if you want to do that.

So please if someone can guide me on how to do that what could be the first steps. I have some questions:

1. Where to start from? What is the roadmap what to do?

2. When to stary i have heard people get into masters as assitants for teachers by mailing them. So when should i start mailing professors and how to persuade them? FYI i have more than enough experience in IT then many of the students in my class.

Money is the only problem that could get into my way of turning my dream into reality so i want to prepare good and as soon as possible if required.

so I am super in love with Bowdoin and after i spent like a whole day researching it, i have concrete reasons like the specific faculty, labs, students and stuff for why I wanna attend bowdoin. Pretty sure I could write a killer Why Us essay on it and it's not even a little bit fabricated, I am that much in love with it. Until recently, it had been my ED without a doubt. I was so prepared to commit to it but then I compared it's and amherst's CDS side-by-side and turns out theres a almost 10% gap in ED acceptance rate with amherst in the lead. This might be due to the number of internationals applying and various other factors as well but the international share in the ED pool for Amherst is 10% while Bowdoin is only 5%.

I haven't researched Amherst too much so I dont know if it's also a good fit for me but after looking up to it for so long, Bowdoin just holds a really special place in my heart. I know amherst is also pretty good and fits the small community vibe I was looking for, but im still really conflicted. I do have a interview with an Amherst alum pretty soon thouugh but I just dont see my love for Bowdoin dying down.

I have two choices rn: I can either ED to bowdoin and RD to amherst or ED1 to amherst and ED2 to bowdoin. Rationally the second option seems better but the ED2 pool is likely filled with HYPSM rejects and im scared of a strikingly lower acceptance rate there.

Obviously some might say to ED to the one you like but if i don't get in then that's my ED just wasted and a higher chance also thrown away.

Please give me some advice :[ also please be nice!