Vising Universities

[Epsilon 0]

Hey Guys and girls,

Thanks for all your replies on an earlier topic, (http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/386841-am-i-in-danger-to-get-trouble/)

And since it would be off topic if I asked a question on that one I decided to make a new one.

In that topic I mentioned that I might want to do a MBA in the states. And since I am going there anyway by the 29th for 2 weeks and since I don't plan on going back to the states until somewhere next march, I might want to visit some universities I have been talking too. Of course, I won't start there anytime soon. Its probertly somewhere fall 2013 or spring 2014 because I need to to arrange everything and I still want to get atleast one year ( or perhaps 2 years) of working experience before trying to apply for one. Since most of them require a couple of years of experience.

I don't want to apply to a university without seeing it with my own eyes, you can't know if a university is any good by just looking at an internet site and exchanging emails without seeing it with your own eyes. So my questions is, Is it legal to visit some universities under the VWP? Just to looking and talk to councilors/teachers/ISO there. I don't want to get into trouble if I mention it at immigration. So again my question is, is it allowed?

Epsilon.

Edit: And girls!

Edited September 12, 2012 by Epsilon

[Ryan H 3,865]

Visiting universities is permissible under the VWP.

[Gosia & Tito 199]

Hey Guys and girls,

Thanks for all your replies on an earlier topic, (http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/386841-am-i-in-danger-to-get-trouble/)

And since it would be off topic if I asked a question on that one I decided to make a new one.

In that topic I mentioned that I might want to do a MBA in the states. And since I am going there anyway by the 29th for 2 weeks and since I don't plan on going back to the states until somewhere next march, I might want to visit some universities I have been talking too. Of course, I won't start there anytime soon. Its probertly somewhere fall 2013 or spring 2014 because I need to to arrange everything and I still want to get atleast one year ( or perhaps 2 years) of working experience before trying to apply for one. Since most of them require a couple of years of experience.

I don't want to apply to a university without seeing it with my own eyes, you can't know if a university is any good by just looking at an internet site and exchanging emails without seeing it with your own eyes. So my questions is, Is it legal to visit some universities under the VWP? Just to looking and talk to councilors/teachers/ISO there. I don't want to get into trouble if I mention it at immigration. So again my question is, is it allowed?

Epsilon.

Edit: And girls!

No issues, not only to visit but to even discuss possible financial aid (assistantship for research or teaching). That might even move your decicion to mve in here to earlier. I would even talk to the Dean and Advisors of the college you are considering to show your interest. At same time, having a face and not just an application would help define other financial aid. The experience requirement is not really that strong, of course, depends on the college.

Good luck

[Epsilon 0]

So its perfectly legal? Thats good! Have you done it before?

Thanks Gosia and Tito for the advice, I guess talking face to face will help when talking about financial stuff.

Epsilon

[Gosia & Tito 199]

So its perfectly legal? Thats good! Have you done it before?

Thanks Gosia and Tito for the advice, I guess talking face to face will help when talking about financial stuff.

Epsilon

I actually did it myself (several years ago though). The result of it was that when I applied to 3 of the colleges I visited, I got accepted. I took one of the offers who then offer me an assistantship which paid my tuition fully plus an stipend of about 1000/month for 20 hours/week work. Was not getting rich, but was getting an education. This was for a MS. The offer for the MBA I was given 'only' included 1/2 tuition (6 credit hours, which is considered part time student) and a small stipend of 300-400 hundred I think. At arrival I was on a F-1, but it's legal to work in campus 20 hr/week

The competition is more intense now, so you need to find an edge to differentiate. The more prestigious the college, the more difficult will it be to get support. Even if no tuition support is given, if you visit, make sure you have a meeting with Chair and advisors of the Business college and present your case in a way that brings them a benefit. If during a regular semester, you'll be able to also meet professors around. Do your homework and find if there is a specific area of interest you have and then find the professor in that area and see about the possibility of doing research with him/her. Show initiative and market yourself (this is a business school after all!). I would even have resumes on hand if appropriate. Position yourself as someone who would not only benefit but who can bring benefits to the school. One other item that is important here is volunteer work you might have done and/or wanting to do. If you can also tie that volunteer work to a business context, even better.

Good luck

[Epsilon 0]

I understand, I know you need a F-1 to study. I have done some research about it. So I know that you can work ON a university campus while your doing a master over there.

My question was just if it was legal to visit universities on a VWP. Not that I am going to be send back when I say that to immigration that would be something!

Thank you for your experience I will definitly make sure I will talk to those people. I guess you had B2 Visa while you did it right? Since Poland isn't on the VWP?

[Gosia & Tito 199]

I understand, I know you need a F-1 to study. I have done some research about it. So I know that you can work ON a university campus while your doing a master over there.

My question was just if it was legal to visit universities on a VWP. Not that I am going to be send back when I say that to immigration that would be something!

Thank you for your experience I will definitely make sure I will talk to those people. I guess you had B2 Visa while you did it right? Since Poland isn't on the VWP?

As I said, you can visit campuses and talk to Chairs, Professors, etc and even make arrangements for a possible financial aid while you are here. At that point you are not working and only looking into financial aid which would formally offered once you are accepted. There is not restriction on any visa.

You can work on campus on a F visa, but it is also possible (though not that easy) to obtain a work permit and work off campus. Work on campus means anything from an hourly work/study all the way to assistant research or teaching (which is the best as it would also allow for tuition in some cases, as well as a salary). Obviously, those are the most competitive, so you want to have an edge to have a fighting chance.

And yes, it was on a B2 when this visits and talks were done. Actually, that was it was said at the POC as for reason to visit the US.

[Epsilon 0]

Thanks mate!

I am glad to hear that I can get a lot of stuff done, so I don't have to travel back anytime soon to arrange financial matters like that. And I am sure that whenever you need to do something, I am sure you can do that without traveling to them since thats how it usually works. Thanks mate! You made a lot of things clear to me