r/Day1CPTuniversities

please be aware of what you post , just saying.

My OPT is expiring next year. I still have one H1B attempt left. My company has a policy to send employees to Toronto for 1.5 years if their H1B is not picked. They will bring me back on L1 visa. My only concern is that I will have to take 23% pay cut if I move to Toronto. I I pick Day1 CPT, I will always be anxious about changing rules. Has anyone been in this situation? Confused as to what to pick.

1DAYCPT-UNIVERSITIES - Targeted

Hi everyone,

I’m looking into Day 1 CPT programs in California (e.g. Westcliff and Sofia) and want to understand if it’s feasible to do CPT at a startup (very early stage) where I am a co-founder.

I’ve seen conflicting information online, but does anyone have any experience or know someone who has successfully navigated this?

For example; Did the DSO approve CPT for your own startup, how was the employer/employee relationship structured, what specific proof did the DSO ask for?

Any firsthand experiences, pitfalls to avoid or school recommendations would be very appreciated. Thanks so much!

Shall I go for Day 1 CPT DBA right away or use my OPT that ends in June and file STEM OPT? What is everyone else doing?

Hello folks! Is anyone in a similar situation?
I’m finishing my Day 1 CPT master’s (it is my first masters here, but 2nd overall) in Dec 2026 and considering starting a PhD. The university recommends starting in Jan 2027 after completing the master’s to avoid possible H-1B scrutiny.

I’m considering starting the PhD before Aug 31, 2026 because of the potential D/S rule changes. Has anyone faced a similar decision or received legal guidance on which option is safer?

I just received my i797 that has the validity date for my h1b, lasting until January 2029. My h1b was cap exempt so I do not fall under the lottery category.

I was doing day 1 CPT and was looking to withdraw from the program since it doesn’t make sense financially or even time commitment wise. Stamping dates are hard to get so I am not sure when I will travel to get those but I was just wondering if anyone here has had experience with getting their h1b petition approved and dropped out of CPT before getting their stamping in their home country?

Let me know. TIA!

Is the University of the Cumberlands still considered a safe option for Day-1 CPT? Are students still enrolling in its programs? If anyone knows, approximately how many students are currently studying at Cumberlands, especially in the executive programs, in recent years… just to have some confidence before to step in

Would this cause RFE in future H1b filing?

Did anyone have an issue with Westcliff university not getting back to them?

I'm currently in the USA on H4 status. I hold a US Registered Nurse license and looking to further my studies for an MSN via a Day 1 CPT school. I have searched, but it seems the schools in Texas only offer BSN for day 1 CPT. But I have a BSN already and want my masters. I have looked at Ottawa University and it's kinda expensive and far.

Does anyone know a school in Texas or near Texas that I could apply to for an MSN?

Also, will you advise me to take on an MBA instead if that's the program near me?

Can I do a bedside RN job with an MSN in nursing education or leadership?

What's the chance of getting a job with CPT if I pursue an MBA?
THANK YOU

I'm in the USA on H4 visa. I have a BSN and want to do my masters in nursing as an F1 student. I also have the nurse US license. There are no schools near me offering day 1 CPT for the MSN.
Also no MSN near me is currently taking in new students for F1. Even if they are, it's not the masters I want.

Will it raise a red flag is I live in Texas while the school is in Kansas? I plan to attend the 1 weekend/semester classes though.
Advice me please

Need advice — I’m in my first semester at WU and applied for CPT renewal which got approved on Friday. Does anyone know if an already approved CPT be subject to review after final grades have been posted?

Professor notified me I’m failing my course, which would result cumulative GPA for my first semester below 3.0 (threshold for full time CPT). A bit confused what would be the safest thing to do here — stay at WU or transfer?

Employer has been supportive if I need to go on leave again. The other school I’m looking into, where I’ve been accepted, is UC. Haven’t found much online on school reputation though

​

Hey all,

I'm an international student planning to start a JD in the US and trying to actually understand how the CPT situation works before I commit to a school, especially after seeing that SEVP broadcast message from Aug 12 warning DSOs about CPT being "improperly authorized."

Context for anyone who doesn't know JD structure:

the standard path is you intern somewhere after 1L and 2L summers, and that internship very often converts into a full-time offer after graduation . So CPT during those summers is kind of a big deal for international students trying to build that same pipeline.

My question is: does the internship actually need to be a mandatory degree requirement (like, you literally cannot graduate without doing it) for a DSO to authorize CPT? Or is it enough that the school offers a for-credit externship/internship course that the student enrolls in, even if it's not compulsory for every student in the program?

From what I've read, it sounds like there are technically two routes — either it's required for all degree candidates per the course catalog, OR it's tied to a specific credit-bearing course. But with SEVP cracking down and threatening loss of SEVP certification for schools that authorize CPT too loosely, I'm wondering:

1. Are law schools' externship/practicum courses considered solid enough grounds for CPT post-BCM 2608-01, or are DSOs getting more conservative and only authorizing CPT when it's a true blanket degree requirement?

2. Has anyone going through a JD right now (or recently) noticed their school's DSO changing how they're handling 1L/2L summer internship authorizations because of this?

3. Should I specifically be asking admissions/ISS offices whether their JD has a formal externship course tied to summer internships, or is that overthinking it?

Would really appreciate hearing from current JD students, immigration attorneys, or DSOs if anyone's lurking. Trying to figure out if this is a real practical obstacle or just internet panic before I lock in a school.

Curious if the schools are still approving CPT after the memo at westcliff / nlu? Thinking about doing dba there.

I got an RFE on my stem opt application. and I want to withdraw my stem opt application and join a ED.d Day 1 CPT collage to keep my sevis active I currently do not have a job. what problems I might face in the future?

For those who’re applying / renewing CPT, has your school changed the process of application (eg. Adding requirements for steps/docs) after the SEVP releasing the message?

tldr; you may think you’re at a “safe” school but unless you can ensure that CPT is required for all students (meaning you can’t join the program without a job) and is truly integral to the program, HSI is starting to target these programs. I see all the time “oh you don’t need a job to join xyz CPT program”. If a program is operating in this way that doesn’t truly require a job yet they allow CPT, that means it’s not truly required and that type of school is gonna be under scrutiny.

Including the very long email below:

Broadcast Message: Reminder of Liability for DSOs Regarding CPT Authorization

To: PDSOs and DSOs at SEVP-certified schools

Date: August 12, 2026

BCM Number: 2608-01

General Information

The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) reminds all designated school officials (DSOs) of their responsibilities regarding curricular practical training (CPT) authorization as well as increased program oversight concerning the proper use of CPT. SEVP has observed a rise in CPT authorizations that do not meet regulatory requirements, specifically those not constituting an integral part of an established curriculum. As a result, the program is increasing its scrutiny of CPT approvals to ensure compliance with federal regulations. Please carefully read and review the following information:

• CPT must be integral to the curriculum: DSOs can only authorize CPT when the training is an integral part of an established curriculum and is directly related to the student's major area of study. CPT cannot be authorized solely for the purpose of employment or for experiences that are not required or otherwise formally recognized as part of the academic program.

SEVP reserves the right to request documentation and other evidence from DSOs to identify whether CPT is indeed a core and essential part of the student's studies, without which, they would be unable to complete their degree. While SEVP recognizes that the school, not the U.S. government, defines what is and is not required to complete a degree, SEVP is also committed to identifying and investigating schools that attempt to undermine or purposely bypass federal regulations or oversight. 

DSOs are reminded that F nonimmigrant students are, by their own attestation under penalty of perjury, here in the United States "solely for the purpose of pursuing a full program of study." If SEVP suspects that school officials are abusing CPT to create work opportunities rather than academic studies, they may be subject to additional scrutiny and action from SEVP and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), to include potential withdrawal of the school's SEVP certification.

• **DSO certification and legal responsibility:**When you sign or re-sign the Form I-20, "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status," to authorize CPT, you are certifying under penalty of perjury that all information is true and correct to the best of your knowledge. This includes confirming that CPT is required or otherwise integral to the student's curriculum.

Potential liability: Improper CPT authorization, such as for non-integral purposes, may subject both the institution and individual DSO to administrative or legal consequences. This includes withdrawal of SEVP certification and potential penalties for providing false information or misrepresenting the nature of the training.Actions requested: After reviewing the above information, DSOs should:

1. Carefully review all CPT requests and your institution's current academic requirements across all fields of study.
2. Ensure that CPT is only authorized when it is truly integral to the program. Only authorize CPT if its absence would make the attainment of a degree an impossibility and if the work associated with CPT is required for all students pursuing that degree.
3. Maintain thorough records supporting the curricular necessity of each CPT authorization.
4. Consult with your SEVP field representative if you have questions about a specific case.

Employers, DSOs, students and members of the public can report suspected employment fraud,� practical training fraud, or other instances of foreign students or certified schools abusing federal regulations directly to SEVP via email at SEVPFraud@hsi.dhs.gov.

For questions about this message, please contact the SEVP Response Center (SRC) via phone at 703-603-3400 or 1-800-892-4829 or via email atSEVP@ice.dhs.gov. The SRC is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET, except for federal holidays.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter and for your continued commitment to regulatory compliance.

Disclaimer

The Broadcast Message is not a substitute for applicable legal requirements, nor is it itself a rule or a final action by SEVP. It is not intended to, does not, and may not be relied upon to create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law by any party in any administrative, civil, or criminal matter.

https://preview.redd.it/m4wlc12jwdjh1.png?width=647&format=png&auto=webp&s=d0fbc559816e5995271110b3e03439cab61436a1

https://tips.uscis.gov/

I’ve run into this a few times lately and I’m genuinely confused.

A company is literally enrolled in E-Verify, the job is related to my STEM degree, and I’m not even asking them to sponsor an H-1B right now. But as soon as STEM OPT comes up, HR says they “don’t support STEM OPT” or just stops moving forward with the interview.

So… what exactly is the issue?

I always thought E-Verify was one of the main employer requirements for STEM OPT. Is the I-983 really that much of a headache for companies? Is it because someone has to officially supervise the training plan and sign off on it? Or are companies worried about reporting requirements, remote work, audits/site visits, or having to deal with changes over the two-year STEM period?

I’m especially confused when the company already hires international employees. If they’re already E-Verified and I have valid work authorization, why would STEM OPT itself be a dealbreaker before we even get to the sponsorship conversation?

For anyone who works in HR/recruiting, or anyone who’s been rejected specifically because of STEM OPT: what’s usually happening behind the scenes?

Is “we don’t accept STEM OPT” usually an actual company policy, or is it sometimes just HR not wanting to deal with the paperwork/compliance side?

Also curious if anyone has ever had HR initially say no, then change their mind after you explained the I-983 process or got the hiring manager involved.

Trying to figure out whether this is something candidates can actually explain better, or if once HR says “no STEM OPT,” it’s basically game over.