As it stands!

Well, simply put, I am ready to fly. I am done with almost all the things i was supposed to do and I can’t seem to come up with anything else at this stage! All that is left now is arranging my bags so that they fall well within the specifications set by the airlines with regard to the maximum weight allowed!

Just to let everyone know, I have been quite busy the last few weeks!

1) I am finished with all the shopping I had to and must add, was quite an indulgence!

2) I have completed the formalities wrt for-ex and am now in possession of the necessary $ to travel and survive in the states!

3) I have got the endorsement from Air India to carry 3 check in cases instead of two - being a student helps!

4) I have now got a new joint account with my parents which i will use in part for any money transfer.

5) I have closed my DMAT accounts and also cancelled my credit cards (took 2 weeks!!!! - ICICI sucks)!

6) I am done with most of my packing as well.

And to add to the cocktail, I was fortunate enough to attend my cousins wedding!!

Now I am busy figuring out the modus operandi of survival in LA!!!!

PS: If anyone has any issues with regard to any formalities to be completed/done with regard to university admission, feel free to contact me anytime!

next post: $$$ matters

Inches and centimeters…..

Yes! That’s right! I have been banging my head trying to make sure that my Luggage (check in) for the flight does not exceed the size and weight specifications!!! Its a tedious task and to be honest, I don’t even know if its taken with the same dose of seriousness by the airlines. But I want to be prepared nonetheless. I would recommend a laptop backpack for all those guys carrying a laptop as it can not only be used for carrying the same but also used in the college or for laundry and stuff. A good one is a tidy investment indeed.

With a few things to confirm with the airlines, I am all set for my journey about a month in advance. Though I still have a lot of shopping to do, I guess it will all fall in place.

A few pointers for those who are done with their visas.

-> Ask the university for immunization needs. This is important as you might have no time left if this part gets delayed!

-> Make sure that all necessary documents are kept as copies at home before you leave. Also take extra copies with you as your university might want the same when going for orientation!

-> Make the best possible use for the available space (luggage). Don’t try and fit in everything under the sun. In most cases, even the guidelines which I found on the Internet (the now dreaded “things to bring” topics) look like too much! I would suggest a minimal of everything and to buy stuff once you get there to maximize the resources. However, there are quite a few exceptions to this!

-> Open a bank account and keep it joint. Can be easily used for money transfers! There are, however, other methods available!

more to follow!!!

“Food” for thought!!

For those of you who are planning on going for their grad courses, your flight will be the first experience which would mark the incipience of your graduate experience. A great “in flight” experience is always welcome. And for me, food comes out on top as the most important part of any experience!

I found this website which would be useful not just for students going abroad, but also for other professionals. Moreover, you could also share your experience with others through the same!! I hope people will find this useful

http://www.airlinemeals.net/

Apart from the airline food, the site has a lot of other interesting information which I am sure many will find interesting indeed!!

Visa for PhD Applicants!

Some people do get confused when it comes to showing finances specially for PhD studies. The norm (generally) is full funding for such students. If so, be rest assured that there is absolutely NO NEED to show ANY finances (not even for a few initial expenses!!!). All you need to have with you is your i20 and at max, your fellowship/scholarship/assistantship offer letter. If; however, you are partially funded, you will need to show the additional expenses for the 5 years (the duration mentioned in your i20) and show the same if asked for at the VI (chances are less though)!! 

Uncertainities…..

People might ask what C&@p I am talking about. After all, I am done with my visa as well so should be pretty much certain about my future plans atleast for the near term!! Well, honestly, I am a bit apprehensive about the tons of things I need to do which include stuff as thrilling as shopping to things as mundane as getting a hair cut before leaving! The fact is that I am being troubled with everything under the Sun as anything I think of doing seems a confusing errand! A few insights should clear up the air……

1) I decided to finish up with the airline bookings. Though it had seemed a simple enough task at first, it soon turned out to be quite a chore. I had to chip in 4 hours for just one ticket! That too for Air India which honestly speaking has got me really worried! My advice to everyone planning on going is to book the tickets as soon as possible (after your decision) and don’t necessarily wait for your VI!

2) I have to purchase a power convertor (for my laptop) and it’s a must for everyone planning on taking any electronic stuff from India!

3) I did buy a few apparels and am planning on buying a few more. It depends a lot on the place you are going to stay! I am going to live in Los Angeles so it’s mostly summer all the way! J

4) $$$ matters are important and I will discuss them in a post at a later stage (it deserves that much). This too is highly dependent on where you are headed and whether you are going with financial assistantship! Most of the money should of course be carried in the form of TC’s.

Will discuss a few of the troubling (possibly) issues in the next few weeks!!

my “visitor intention to stay abroad” experience!

Finally am done with one of the most strenuous parts of my journey towards a graduate degree! I got my visa yesterday and it was the most horrid experience of my life. The interview itself hardly lasted a minute….and best of all I was asked no questions!! But the worst part was the 6 hours I had to endure in waiting and anticipation! Delhi Embassy needs an expansion in counselor services ASAP!!!

Guidelines for Delhi Embassy!!

I will give a small description of what one should expect when going for the interview at shantipath. Reach the consulate an hour in advance (no need to if yours is the first slot of the day of-course!!!). If you are lucky/unlucky, the crowd will be quite huge and you will be allowed to get into the verification queue. Once you are in the queue, your documents (passport, i20, HDFC receipt, DS-156, 157, 158, appointment letter and sevis fee payment receipt) will be checked by someone. Ask any doubts / queries you have and fill out the form if you have left out any section blank! Once you reach the verification counter (its a series of windows - 4 actually just outside the entrance to the building!), pass on the documents and answer any questions if asked! Once verification is over, ask the guys helping if you need to wait outside (will happen during lunch hour which extends till 1:30 or if there is a lot of rush!). If not then go inside the building. You will be asked to surrender anything not allowed inside. After going inside, you will need to stand in another queue to get fingerprinted/profiled. Next go to the help desk and ask for your number. Next wait for your number to be announced (meanwhile, you can indulge youself with some horrendously expensive food/drinks). Once you are called, you will have to get into another queue which will in all likelihood move at a snail’s pace (depends in the VO’s and the time they take for the interviews!). After your interview (hopefully with an approval), come out the same way you got in and enjoy the day!!!

Visa Dates!

This has been really funny. Each consulate works in its own unique way. While 3 weeks ago, the vfs was showing around 3 weeks of open dates in advance, last week, there were no dates at all (just one in may end). It was a real shocker for me and in many ways has been the reason for me pushing my planned interview from June 1st week to June 2nd. I do hope that I am prepared by then. Just a word of caution for those planning on applying. Please make sure which consulate you are supposed to go and keep track of the slots. While some like Delhi cause no issues, others like Chennai can turn out to be tricky with people eventually resorting to emergency slots!

More later!!

Out of the closet!!

I am back guys!!! After a nerve wrenching 2 months of complete isolation from the blogging world, I finally had to come back to where I belong! I really am sorry for all the readers who might have really taken me for dead with my inactivity for certain…..

coming back to the real story….Life is looking pretty good and am moving towards a new phase with final decision and preparations to be made! I am currently into the so called “visa prep mode” which i will elucidate in due course for my readers many of whom might be hoping for a future grad program in USA. I am also sorry for those who have asked queries but have gone unanswered for so long! It was completely unlike GRAD STUDIES and I promise that I will make the necessary amends. So friends be on a lookout for interesting articles related to visa interview prep, preliminary preps and so on!!!