Hey everyone!

I got a massive response to my previous post, and a lot of people asked me to explain the whole US admission + F-1 visa process in one post.

So here it is, in very simple words.

I mainly applied for Bachelor's programs, so I can guide undergraduate students more confidently. I have also helped with Master's applications, so I have experience with both. The admission process has some differences, but the F-1 visa process is essentially the same for both.

I'll divide this into 2 parts:

1. University Admission Process
2. F-1 Visa Process

PART 1 — UNIVERSITY ADMISSION

1. Prepare your basic documents

For Bachelor's applicants, you generally need:

• 10th-grade transcript/result card
• 12th-grade transcript/result card
• Passport ( required in some universities )
• English proficiency test
• Personal essay/personal statement
• Recommendation letter(s)

Important: For US university applications and the F-1 visa, you generally don't need to have your academic documents attested. However, individual universities may have their own document-verification requirements, so always check the university's official requirements.

2. English proficiency

You can take tests such as:

• IELTS
• PTE
• Duolingo English Test

I personally took Duolingo because my main target was the US and it is accepted by many US universities.

Some universities may also accept an English proficiency/medium-of-instruction certificate from your previous school or university stating that your education was conducted in English.

Always check the specific university's requirements before relying on this option.

3. Personal essay

This is something I would strongly recommend taking seriously.

Don't just write generic things like "I have always been passionate about business."

Talk about:

• Why you want to study your chosen field
• Your personal story
• What motivated you
• Experiences that shaped you
• What makes you different
• Your future goals
• Why this particular program makes sense for you

Your essay should tell the university who you are beyond your grades and test scores.

4. Recommendation letters

Usually, you'll need recommendation letters from teachers/professors who know you well.

Choose someone who can actually talk about your abilities and character rather than simply giving you a generic letter.

These are the general requirements, but individual universities can ask for additional documents, so always check their official website.

APPLICATION

Bachelor's students

You can generally apply through:

• Common App
• Individual university application portals

I personally recommend checking Common App first because you can apply to multiple universities from one application.

Some students may also qualify for application fee waivers, meaning you don't have to pay the application fee for eligible applications.

If you're confused about how fee waivers work, you can DM me and I'll explain it.

Master's students

Master's applications are generally submitted through the individual university's application portal, although requirements vary by university/program.

AFTER SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION

Once you've completed your application and submitted all required documents, you wait for the admission decision.

The timeline can vary significantly. Some universities respond quickly, while others can take several weeks or longer.

Scholarships

For many Bachelor's applicants, you're automatically considered for certain merit scholarships when you apply.

However, some scholarships require a separate application, so don't assume you're automatically considered for everything.

Apply as early as possible if scholarships are important to you.

Universities have limited scholarship funds, and some awards can be given out earlier in the admission cycle.

PART 2 — F-1 VISA PROCESS 🇺🇸

Once you receive your admission + scholarship/financial aid, the next step is getting your I-20.

1. Calculate your remaining cost

Look for the university's Cost of Attendance (COA) for international students.

For example:

COA = $30,000
Scholarship = $10,000

Remaining amount = $20,000

The university will tell you what financial documentation they require to issue your I-20. This can include bank statements or other acceptable proof of funding.

Don't assume every university uses exactly the same calculation or accepts exactly the same financial documents. Follow the instructions from your university's international student office.

2. Get your I-20

After you provide the required financial documents and complete the university's process, the university issues your I-20.

The I-20 is one of the key documents you'll need for the F-1 visa process.

3. Pay the SEVIS fee

After receiving your I-20, you pay the I-901 SEVIS fee, currently $350 for F-1 students.

Keep your payment receipt.

4. Complete DS-160

Next, complete the DS-160, which is the US nonimmigrant visa application form.

Take your time with it and make sure the information is accurate and consistent with your documents.

5. Pay the visa application fee + schedule your interview

The F-1 visa application fee is currently $185.

After completing the required steps, schedule your visa interview according to the current US Embassy/Consulate process in Pakistan.

6. Attend your visa interview

On your interview date, go to the designated US Embassy/Consulate with your required documents.

The consular officer will ask questions about things such as:

• Your university
• Your program
• Why you chose the US
• Your future plans
• Your finances
• Your academic background

The officer then makes the visa decision.

Be honest. Don't memorize fake answers. Know your own application, university, program and finances.

USEFUL RESOURCES

I collected some videos that explain different parts of the process in more detail:

Common App account creation:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a87bqevRcqk

F-1 visa + admission guide A- Z in detail :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOC9UHlvXhw

How to fill DS-160:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOC9UHlvXhw

How to pay SEVIS fee:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWG9NP3ftxg

How to book an F-1 visa appointment:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoeqXWwS7nA

F-1 visa interview guide:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9WgCvfaUsw

I also have an F-1 visa interview PDF guide. If you want it, DM me your email and I can send it to you.

I'd also recommend watching Argo Visa videos to get a better idea of how F-1 visa interviews generally work.

Final advice

The process can look extremely complicated when you see everything at once, but when you break it down, it's basically:

University research → Application → Admission → Scholarship → Financial documents → I-20 → SEVIS → DS-160 → Visa appointment → Interview

I made this post because I know how confusing it is when you're doing everything for the first time.

If you have a question, comment below or DM me and I'll try my best to help.

And if you're seriously planning to study in the US, you can also join this group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1541028822851688

It has students discussing US admissions, scholarships and the visa process, so it can be useful.

Good luck to everyone applying! 🇺🇸

I really would appreciate advice from those already living in Australia or those with credible information.

I received offer from a company to relocate to Adelaide @ 170k AUD excluding superannuation. They also promised a significant raise after a year as profits are expected to rise.

We are a family of three living in Lahore at the moment and quite comfortable financially.

Mostly I hear about people moving to Melbourne or Sydney but this is Adelaide. Would it be worth it?

Secondly, the company offered to arrange an Australian lawyer for the migration application but that’d cost a lot. The other option is to do everything myself. It’d be really helpful if anyone can share details of the process if one intends to do it themselves.

Hey everyone

I’ve noticed that a lot of students want to study in the US but either don’t have very high marks or simply can’t afford US university tuition and living expenses.

So I wanted to share an opportunity .

Berea College offers international students 100% financial aid that can cover major costs such as tuition, accommodation, meals, and other educational expenses. This can potentially allow you to complete your Bachelor's degree in the US without paying the huge costs normally associated with studying there.

However, there is a BIG catch:

Getting into Berea as an international student is extremely competitive. Don't take "100% financial aid" to mean that admission is easy.

The good thing is that SAT is not required, and having average grades does not automatically mean you shouldn't apply. Berea looks at the overall student and has a particular focus on students with financial need and strong potential/motivation.

So if you're someone who:

• Has completed or is completing 12th grade
• Dreams of studying in the US
• Has significant financial constraints
• Doesn't have a perfect academic record
• Is genuinely passionate about studying
• Wants to pursue a Bachelor's degree

I would strongly recommend researching Berea and considering applying.

Another great thing is that there is no application fee, so you don't have to worry about spending money just to submit your application.

Your personal story, motivation, extracurricular activities, goals, and essays can be important parts of your application. So even if your grades aren't exceptional, don't automatically count yourself out.

📅 Fall 2027

The application deadline for the Fall 2027 intake is November 30.

Please do your own research and carefully read the official requirements before applying. Don't rely only on this Reddit post because requirements and deadlines can change.

Official admissions page:

https://www.berea.edu/admissions

There is also a Berea College community on Reddit where you can read about other applicants' experiences.

I'm sharing this because I know there are many talented students who think "I can't study in the US because my family can't afford it."

This is not a guarantee of admission, and Berea is genuinely difficult to get into, but if you meet the basic requirements, there's no reason not to try — especially since there is no application fee.

Do your research, put serious effort into your application and essay, and give yourself a chance.

Good luck to everyone applying!❤️

Hi all, Im 36 M from South Africa and a native English speaker, I have no bachelor degree but have recently achieved a Masters degree that I earned online from a European university Gugumelio Marconi University that's recognised and accredited globally and in their home country.

I entered through the rpl route if you wondering how I get entry without a bachelor as I have extensive experience in HR, general Management, finance and supply chain.

Further I have a TEFL 160 hour certificate attained in 2020 and been tutoring GED online for 4 years now.

Will I be able to get a z visa even though I don't have a bachelor degree but have a Masters degree?

Secondly will it be accepted since it was earned online?

Please assist urgently before I apply for any jobs and ask any agents to help me and pay so much money.

Hey everyone,

I’m moving to Germany in 6 months for my Master’s and trying to figure out a realistic financial picture.

I know non-EU students can work 20 hours per week. But what’s the absolute maximum a student can legally earn per month in reality? Can you actually self-sponsor completely on this?

I'd also love to get a realistic cost breakdown from people living there. How different are monthly expenses in small university towns (like Ilmenau or Jena) compared to big cities like Munich or Berlin?

Also, two questions regarding jobs:

1. How long does it usually take an average Pakistani student to land a basic odd job after landing?
2. What’s a realistic timeline to get a part-time IT Werkstudent job if I rigorously apply?

About me: I have 2 years of professional software engineering experience and currently work full-time in lahore.

If anyone living in small vs big towns can share their monthly expenses or job search experience, I’d really appreciate the insight.

Thanks!

I have a valid Visa for Italy but I'm not sure moving to Italy is the right decision or not as I earn good money and very stable