u/Fearless_Bullfrog20

I have a B1/B2 visa interview scheduled for June 26 at New Delhi, India that I booked more than a year ago. I now need to apply for an F-1 student visa, but the U.S. visa scheduling system won't let me book an F-1 appointment because I already have the B1/B2 appointment in the system.

I called VFS, and they told me I have only two options:

1. Cancel my B1/B2 appointment and then schedule an F-1 appointment, or
2. Wait until the B1/B2 process is completed before scheduling the F-1.

Neither option seems ideal. I don't want to cancel the B1/B2 appointment after waiting so long and potentially lose the fee. At the same time, my university classes start on August 18, and I need to travel to the U.S. by August 16. If I have to wait until after June 26 to schedule the F-1 interview, I'm worried that student visa slots may be full or significantly delayed.

Has anyone been in a similar situation? Were you able to keep the B1/B2 appointment and still schedule an F-1 interview, or is there another workaround that I'm missing?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Help me choose one --- the only criteria is quality of undergrad CS education. Not considering cost/weather/student clubs/student life etc.

1. UIUC
2. GATech
3. Yale
4. Michigan
5. USC
6. UT Austin
7. UCLA