A design student’s dream of studying in the United States hit a roadblock when their F-1 student visa application was rejected at the U.S. Embassy in Delhi. The applicant, who had an appointment scheduled for 8:30 AM, took to Reddit to share a detailed account of their interview and seek advice from the community.
According to the student, the visa officer asked standard questions about the number of universities they applied to, acceptances received, and reasons for choosing a particular university. Despite being accepted by two out of five universities, the applicant stumbled slightly while answering and described the university they chose as being “#1 in the States for design.”
The visa officer then inquired about finances. The student responded, “My father shall sponsor my education and living expenses.” Moments later, the officer rejected the visa.
Reddit users quickly chimed in with analysis. One pointed out that describing the university as “#1 in design” was too vague. “The purpose of this interview is to establish strong ties to India and you weren’t able to do that,” they noted.
Another comment focused on the use of the word “shall” in the financial answer. “From your answer, the officer wasn’t confident that your parents will sponsor you,” one user said, suggesting a clearer response: “My father is fully sponsoring my education and living expenses. He is a [profession], and we have the financial documents to support the entire duration of my program.”
Several users emphasized the importance of conveying strong financial stability and home ties in F-1 visa interviews.
As more Indian students prepare for U.S. visa interviews in the coming months, this case highlights how even small language choices and lack of clarity on financial support can lead to rejections.