I have enrolled in Campbellsville for summer semester. I was auto enrolled for BA500 but I haven’t applied for cpt I20. Classes have already started. Can I apply for it now? Will they allow or I missed the deadline?

Please help. Im not aware that CPT is mandatory. Thanks in advance

I don't see an option in the dropdown for H1 in the current immigration status section

I got selected for Masters porgrams in both universities. I am based out of Northern VA, so UoP is very convenient for me. And I am currently employed by a consulting firm out of DC, and it is a priority for me that I am able to continue that job due to personal compulsions.

I am not too bothered by Harrisburg being a more reputed university. But I want to understand if I select UoP is there a serious disadvantage when it comes to change of status/USCIS scrutiny.

Edit: My current visa status will end in September and I got accepted for the Aug 31 Fall enrollment in both.

After stem opt was denied, anybody have tried to reenter on new sevis? Please assist.

1. Any secondary inspection?
2. Any denials on visa?

My STEM opt ends on Jan 2027 and with this new rule I am confused if I should start my day 1 cpt in summer or fall so I can do another masters. Also incase this rule is implemented, would someone require USCIS approval to enroll in DBA program?

What should I do? Confused and suggestions would be welcome!

Thanks in advance!

Hi,

So, I did not get picked in this year’s H1B lottery, which was unfortunately my final attempt. I had already enrolled in a Day 1 CPT Master’s program in 2024, so technically 2026 was my last eligible shot at it.

Now I’m trying to evaluate whether pursuing yet another degree makes sense. I already have two master’s degrees, and continuing would mean enrolling in a third program, specifically another Day 1 CPT Master’s.

My company is still willing to sponsor me and support the process, which makes the decision even harder. But at the same time, I’m barely able to build any meaningful savings while continuing to live in this cycle of visa uncertainty.

So I’m genuinely trying to figure out: is pursuing a third Master’s really worth it at this point, or is it more practical to move back to India and rebuild from there?

Thoughts ?

Hi all,

Sorry in advance as this is a long one. I've gone back and forth on whether to post this, but given what I'm currently going through, I feel like I owe it to this community to share so others can be careful.

Straight out of college, I joined an investment banking firm. After three years of trying for an H-1B with no luck, I decided to enroll in a Day1 CPT university to maintain my status. After some research, I picked a school in New Hampshire (you can probably connect the dots) primarily because it had the lowest fees. That was my first mistake. In hindsight, I should have gone with a more established program like Harrisburg or Westcliff, even at the higher cost.

The warning signs were there early. The staff had a strange, power tripping attitude toward students. There were bizarre rules. For example, during in person sessions, a proctor would mark you absent if you stepped out to use the bathroom mid-class. That's not an exaggeration; they announced it proudly at orientation. There are more annoying and demeaning incidents like this, but this was still manageable.

With a demanding IB job, I struggled to keep up with a 3-course semester load. My main limitation was literally just time. I attempted to explain this to professors when I turned in assignments late but was hit with the boiler plate response of "we have to maintain fairness yada yada". I failed two courses in my first semester ("fail" meaning anything below 80%). They allowed me to retake them the following semester for an additional fee and an appeal form. The same thing happened again the next semester. I fully expected to be dropped from the program, so I started researching other schools. Instead, they emailed me offering to let me repeat both courses again - for another fee, of course. I paid it and enrolled in my third semester.

One week in, they sent me another appeal form. I assumed it was a formality since I was already attending classes with my fees paid. The next morning, I woke up to an email informing me that my appeal had been rejected and that my SEVIS record had been terminated with USCIS.

I can't overstate how devastating that felt. I immediately called the program director to ask, not even to reverse the decision, just to request enough time to transfer out. She hung up on me before I could finish my sentence. I then called the DSO, who told me my options were to either leave the country or apply for reinstatement through another school, a process that takes roughly 12 months and prohibits any employment in the meantime. No warning. No grace period. No opportunity to transfer.

For international students, this isn't just an administrative inconvenience. It's our entire life. I had to stop working immediately, which was professionally humiliating. Personal plans I'd been building toward are now on hold indefinitely. And to top it off, the school retained 20% of my semester fee, citing the enrollment contract I'd signed, roughly $1,000, kept after terminating my status with zero notice.

To be clear, I primarily still blame myself. I should have managed my coursework better given my workload, and I should have chosen a more reputable program from the start. It's been a couple of months, I've had time to reflect, and I'm moving forward. I've enrolled at a new school with a genuinely supportive staff, and they're helping me navigate the reinstatement process.

But my experience exposed some serious problems with how certain Day 1 CPT schools operate, and I think this community deserves to know:

1. No advance warning before SEVIS termination. A responsible DSO gives students notice, especially when termination is being considered. Mine gave me one day notice along with the appeal form before terminating me the next morning. One email, no call, no chance to respond.
2. The appeal process was used as a revenue mechanism. I was allowed to re-enroll, pay fees, and attend class for a week before being rejected. If the appeal was always going to be denied, why collect the money first?
3. The DSO showed no duty of care. For international students, a DSO isn't just an administrator, they hold significant power over your life. A dismissive or indifferent DSO is genuinely dangerous, not just unprofessional.
4. Retaining fees after a unilateral termination is predatory. Enforcing a contract clause in your favor immediately after taking an action that harms the other party, with no notice, is not in good-faith.

If you're researching Day 1 CPT schools, please prioritize reputation and student support over cost. The price difference is real, but it's nothing compared to what a bad program can cost you.

Happy to answer any questions. Hoping this helps someone avoid what I went through.

Hi all,

I’m looking to connect with someone who is currently enrolled in the Doctor of Information Technology (DIT) program at Trine University. I’m hoping to get some firsthand insights about the program before making a final decision.

It’s a significant financial and time commitment, so any guidance, experience, or advice would be truly appreciated. If you’re currently in the program or have recently completed it, please let me know if I can reach out.

Thank you so much!

Hi all I am completing my stem opt in few months and now I don’t want to do day 1 cpt and my company so not in other countries. So now what is the better option should I try and apply external jobs in Canada and get LMIA and get pr if that possible or should I just apply in India, Europe, London, Dublin or Finland?

I’m an incoming PhD student at Cumberlands and looking to connect with other students enrolled at the Bay Area campus.
Is anyone else planning to attend the in-person INTR session at the Kentucky campus?

Hello, I have never done any MS from US. I have got an internship offer which pays decently well but they require in-person presence in US. Can I enroll in a Day 1 CPT university and get a part time CPT and study while working? How difficult would it be to do this while doing consular? What are the chances of rejection for this? I will be giving interview from India so how should I prepare? Anyone else has similar experience in this situation or relatively similar experience where they went through consular? I don't want to lose my OPT as well after graduation so I want a proper pathway.

With the recent change in regulation proposed
I’m trying to figure out the right window to enroll into a Day 1 CPT program

Challenge is the second lottery coming up in Aug (unconfirmed, but high probability based on what I can see online)

Will transferring to day1 now create issues in Aug if I get picked?

Looking for advice on the best timeline to follow and steps to take

Hi my H1B is ending mid July and the Harrisburgh program is starting on June 27.. if i apply now for it can i enroll in the program and start working on cpt by June 27? I heard COS 3-8 months .. just wanted to check if this enrolment is even possible given my H1B end date?

Hi everyone,

Here’s my current situation and I’d appreciate any advice or insights.

I have not been selected in the H-1B lottery yet. My current Day 1 CPT master’s program is expected to finish in summer 2027. I’m now considering whether enrolling in a Day 1 CPT doctoral program would be a reasonable option to maintain status and continue working.

I also wanted to ask about the chances of successfully obtaining a new F-1 visa stamp while enrolled in a Day 1 CPT doctoral program. Has anyone gone through a similar situation or had experience with visa stamping under a Day 1 CPT PhD/doctoral program?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Hi all,
Looking to get in touch with someone who is currently enrolled in the DBA program at Westcliff University to get some insights about the program before I enroll in. It’s a huge financial commitment so any help/guidance would be truly appreciated. Please let me know if I can reach out, thank you so much!

Hi,

I got laid off on H1b and entered the grace period now. I am trying to switch from H1b to F1. I already have a masters of science from a US university. Wondering if day1cpt DBA program is safe for F1 approval? or an MBA program with a high ranking university that doesn't offer day1cpt is better to go for F1 ? Please note that USCIS can raise RFE for pursuing a second masters.

correcting the post subject line:

H1b to F1 - Masters or Phd - which one is safer for someone already having an MS from US university

==========================

Hi,

I got laid off on H1b and entered the grace period now. I have applied and have following admits.

Stevens Institute of Technology - MBA program

NJIT - MBA

George Mason University - Phd - Information Technology

I have already completed a Master's of Science from a US university. For H1b to F1 transfer - I am told that its safer to apply F1 for Phd , however, the above phd program does not offer part time option, so will it be hard to switch back to H1 after 1 or 2 semesters?

The above MBA program also have fully online or hybrid options - so if I do F1 back to H1b with that, it is easier to justify the COS as I can tell USCIS that I will continue the studies as a part time student while working fulltime.

Basically want to know if MBA is safer to H1 to F1 back to H1 or Phd is better where is no online / parttime option

Trying to find and connect with anyone who has been to Belhaven and studied the DBA program. It sounds too good to be true and the tuition is very reasonable as well. Still trying to find anyone or a whatsapp group and see if theres any issues or If need to watch out for any issues in the future. Any help would be great here. please let me know. Thank you.

I’m seeing a lot of panic about end of D/S affecting D1CPT. People are mentioning that SEVIS transfer will be blocked by USCIS for D1CPT universities. But end of D/S has nothing to do with SEVIS transfer. The SEVIS transfer is between the two universities, whether or not D/S rule is in place. Is there anything that I am missing here?