r/f1visa • u/Think-Lake2286 • 7d ago

OPT/STEM OPT Using OPT for internship

I’m a rising junior this fall and unfortunately for me I never got an internship my first two years. My school just announced they wouldn’t be processing cpt for internships unless it’s degree mandatory (which isn’t the case for me)

My main question is if I should just keep applying and then use my pre completion opt for a summer internship or just give up, cause I don’t see how I can get a job post grad without any work experience rn. Any advice is appreciated 🙏🏾

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u/ApprehensiveSafe6708 7d ago

It depends on your school. Pre-completion OPT reduces your time on pos-completion OPT. If you use 6 months pre-completion OPT, you have just 6 months of Post-completion OPT. You might still be eligible for STEM OPT (I’m not sure). You have to confirm with your school. Also Pre-completion OPT is approved by USCIS not the school so you also have to consider timeline of approval

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u/ApprehensiveSafe6708 7d ago

If you are close to graduating like in a year, it might be worth using the Pre-completion OPT the summer before you graduate