u/Charminglily19

Visa Status: Issued
Consulate: Hyderabad

University: Arizona State University
Course: Masters in Artificial Intelligence Engineering
Interview: 1 May 2026
Slot: 10:00 am
Duration: 3-4 minutes
Counter: 21
VO: A strict American lady in mid 30s

( Context: VO was kind of strict, but gave enough time to speak. She has given 15 mins for a B1 front in the line. But they failed to prove their intent. She told the F1 guy in-front of me that she wants to take only H1s so asked him to join another queue. I was next in the queue, she somehow stopped me and said you can come forward. She also sent everyone back in the line to other queue. At this point got bit surprised and confused.)

Me: Good morning Mam
VO: Good morning. Please pass me your passport. (She didn't ask me for I20)
VO: Why are you going to USA?
Me: I am going for Masters in AI Engineering from Arizona State University.
As soon as she heard AI engineering,
VO: Oh nice, Now tell me 2 benefits of using AI!

She started going through my DS 160 

(Tbh, I wasn’t expecting this I was prepared for some - Why this univ, what other admits, why not other univs kind of questions. I took a pause for 2 sec, I guess she elaborated the question too, I was thinking meanwhile.)

Me: AI makes us efficient so that we can work faster.
(This is the only statement that stuck my mind then. She asked for 2 benefits, I told only 1, I was panicking  for a moment.)

VO: (Smiling) Oh thats great, you would do your work faster with AI nice!
Me: (Smiling with her) Yes Mam.
VO: How are you funding?
Me: I have secured an education loan of XX dollars from XXX and my mother is funding me XX dollars from her savings.
VO: What does your mother do?
(At this point it was like a rapid fire, as she was keen about the details.)
Me: She works as a govt teacher under the education department for State Govt of Telangana.

She started typing in the computer and was constantly looking at the screen.
VO: When is your course starting?
Me: 20 Aug 2026
VO: Where are you going to stay there?
Me: ( In a happy excited tone) Tempe, Arizona.
(I was being happy and excited right from the AI answer. She could sense that maybe)

VO: (Smiling hard ) I see you are very much excited to go there, I can see your energy levels.
Me: Yes Mam.
VO: Ok miss, do you use social media? ( Took the 221g form)
Me: Yes Mam.
VO: Are they public? If not make sure to keep them public.
Me: They are already public.
VO: (Again smiling hard) You seem to have come well prepared!!
Me: (Smiling) Yes Mam.
VO: Place your left hand fingers on the scanner.
I did, she was again typing something in the computer.
VO: (Handing me the 221g) Okay, I am keeping your passport and temporarily refusing your visa as it needs further administrative processing, you can check the website for your status, Bye.
Me: Thank you Mam, Bye.

I entered through the main gate at 9:40 am for 10 am slot and came out of the consulate at 10:45 am.
Status - Refused at 11:30 am
Status - Approved at 5:00 pm
Status - Issued next day afternoon.
Ready to pickup the next day after issued.

Tips:

1. The VO doesn’t care about your university ( unless it’s a very shady college) provided you have proper motto to join the program. I saw people getting rejected for telling answers like top research, ranking, profs.
2. Theres nothing like mass schools will get automatically rejected. If your answers are vague you will.
3. Be happy and confident, and keep yourself open for whatever the question, you can take a pause but just don’t leave it or memorise.
4. Be aware about your major, university, place for general questions. Not every VO might follow the traditional why this uni, what other admits format.
5. Best of luck guys!