u/Spooky_Sloth_1255

Got my F1 visa rejected under 214(b) and I genuinely don’t know what went wrong. Looking for honest advice.

Background: • Previous refusal: B1/B2 in Nov 2023 (214b) • Current application: F1 for Master’s at Parsons, NYC • Scholarship: 35% • Already completed one Master’s in Design Management in May 2025 • Currently working as a designer at company xyz

I felt much more confident this time compared to my previous interview. I answered calmly, clearly, and with context, but the VO kept cutting me off midway through most of my responses.

Also, I got the same VO who had rejected me back in 2023.

Questions asked + my responses:

1. Why US? I said: • The U.S. is globally recognized for emerging technologies and communication design • Parsons is located in New York, which is a global hub for design and innovation

(VO cut me midway)

2. When did you complete undergrad? May 2021

3. What have you been doing since then? I said I completed my Master’s and have been working as a designer at company xyz.

4. When did you graduate from your Master’s? May 2025

5. Why another Master’s? I explained: • My first Master’s in Design Management focused more on research and strategy • Through my work experience, I realized I need deeper technical expertise in digital/product/interaction design

(Again, cut midway)

6. Which countries have you visited? Country A in 2010

7. What does your father do? He runs our family business in xyz.

8. Who is sponsoring your education? I explained: • My father is sponsoring most of it through income from the family business • I’m also contributing my own savings from work and internships • I received a scholarship worth $XX,000

9. Which other universities did you apply to? NYIT, Rutgers, NYU

10. Then the VO looked confused about my I-20 major, which was written as: “Web Page, Digital/Multimedia and Information Resources Design”

She asked what that meant. I wasn’t fully prepared for that wording, so I tried explaining that it was the official classification/category on the I-20 and that my actual specialization/program focus was mentioned under the remarks section.

11. Where is the school located? New York

12. Do you have any relatives in the US? I said yes — my cousin lives in San Francisco and works as an engineer at xyz company.

After that, the visa was rejected.

I’m trying to understand what the possible reasons could have been.

Would really appreciate honest opinions, especially from people who faced F1 refusals and later got approved. Trying to figure out whether reapplying makes sense and what exactly I should improve next time.

Got my F1 visa rejected under 214(b) and I genuinely don’t know what went wrong. Looking for honest advice.

Background: • Previous refusal: B1/B2 in Nov 2023 (214b) • Current application: F1 for Master’s at Parsons, NYC • Scholarship: 35% • Already completed one Master’s in Design Management in May 2025 • Currently working as a designer at company xyz

I felt much more confident this time compared to my previous interview. I answered calmly, clearly, and with context, but the VO kept cutting me off midway through most of my responses.

Also, I got the same VO who had rejected me back in 2023.

Questions asked + my responses:

1. Why US? I said: • The U.S. is globally recognized for emerging technologies and communication design • Parsons is located in New York, which is a global hub for design and innovation

(VO cut me midway)

2. When did you complete undergrad? May 2021

3. What have you been doing since then? I said I completed my Master’s and have been working as a designer at company xyz.

4. When did you graduate from your Master’s? May 2025

5. Why another Master’s? I explained: • My first Master’s in Design Management focused more on research and strategy • Through my work experience, I realized I need deeper technical expertise in digital/product/interaction design

(Again, cut midway)

6. Which countries have you visited? Country A in 2010

7. What does your father do? He runs our family business in xyz.

8. Who is sponsoring your education? I explained: • My father is sponsoring most of it through income from the family business • I’m also contributing my own savings from work and internships • I received a scholarship worth $XX,000

9. Which other universities did you apply to? NYIT, Rutgers, NYU

10. Then the VO looked confused about my I-20 major, which was written as: “Web Page, Digital/Multimedia and Information Resources Design”

She asked what that meant. I wasn’t fully prepared for that wording, so I tried explaining that it was the official classification/category on the I-20 and that my actual specialization/program focus was mentioned under the remarks section.

11. Where is the school located? New York

12. Do you have any relatives in the US? I said yes — my cousin lives in San Francisco and works as an engineer at xyz company.

After that, the visa was rejected.

I’m trying to understand what the possible reasons could have been.

Would really appreciate honest opinions, especially from people who faced F1 refusals and later got approved. Trying to figure out whether reapplying makes sense and what exactly I should improve next time.