The purpose of this interview is to understand three major things

1. The purpose of study: Why do you want to study in the U.S., what course and university have you chosen, and how does it fit your interests and future goals?

2. The financial capability: How will you pay for your education and living expenses in the U.S., and what are the sources and evidence of your funds?

3. The non-immigrant intent: How will you prove that you have strong ties to your home country and that you will return after completing your studies?

Talk about the key features of the university that attracted you, such as the ongoing research in your department, the professors’ work, the labs, the course flexibility, the specialization offerings, the hands-on experience, the practical exposure, the student clubs and associations, etc. Frame your sentences starting with these keywords, such as “This university is known for its engineering program, which is highly ranked and competitive in the U.S.”

Show your interest and passion for this course, and explain how it aligns with your future plans and career prospects. You can also mention how this course is different from or better than the courses offered in your home country, and what skills and knowledge you hope to gain from it.

Give the exact number of universities that you applied to and received admission offers from. For example, “I applied to five universities and received four admits.”

Name all the universities that you applied to, using their full names. For example, “I applied to Harvard University, Stanford University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of California, Berkeley, and Carnegie Mellon University.”

Tell the exact year and month that you completed your previous level of education, and the name and type of your degree or diploma. For example, “I graduated from ABC College in May 2020 with a Bachelor of Engineering degree.”

If you have been working, start with your company name and profile, and briefly describe your work and responsibilities. If you have a gap, tell what you have been doing to prepare for your studies, such as taking standardized tests, doing internships, taking online courses, or engaging in other activities to upgrade your skills and knowledge. You can name a few of these activities and courses that are relevant to your field of study.

Are you in touch with any professors? If they ask if you know anyone, they mean any student, friend, or acquaintance that you have in the university. You can name anyone that you know, including professors. But if they specifically ask about professors, you need to tell that while deciding or finalizing this university, you emailed some professors and exchanged a few emails regarding the course and curriculum offerings or outcomes that are your area of interest for research. You can name the professors and their research topics that you contacted or followed.

You can answer this question in many ways, depending on how you learned about the university. You can say that you talked to some students and took their reviews about the course structure and curriculum, or that you read about the professors’ research and publications, or that you did online research through various ranking websites, such as QS ranking, US News, Times Higher Education, etc.

This question looks very easy, but it is not. They need specifics, such as who are your sponsors, how much they earn, and how they are related to you. Sample answer: “My father is sponsoring my education. He has savings of 40 lakhs, plus we have an education loan of 40 lakhs from SBI. He is a state government employee and works in the XYZ department. His annual income is around 10 lakhs.”

You can repeat the answer from the previous question, or add more details if you have more than one sponsor. For example, if your mother or any other family member is also sponsoring you, you can mention their name, income, and source of funds as well.

Name three or four courses or subjects that you are planning to take in the first semester. This shows that you have done thorough research on your syllabus and curriculum, and that you are clear about your academic plan. You can also mention why you chose these courses or subjects, and how they relate to your field of study or interest.

Upon graduation, you should express your intention to return to your home country and work in a company or organization that is related to your field of study. You can name one or two companies or organizations that you would like to work for, and the profile or position that you would like to apply for. For example, “After graduation, I would like to come back to India and work in a company like Accenture, IBM, or Infosys as a software engineer or a data analyst.”

You should answer this question with a clear and confident yes, and give strong reasons to come back to India, such as your family, friends, property, or employment. You should also explain how your education in the U.S. will benefit your home country and your future career prospects.

This question looks very easy, but it is not. They need specifics, such as who are your sponsors, how much they earn, and how they are related to you. Sample answer: “My father is sponsoring my education. He has savings of 40 lakhs, plus we have an education loan of 40 lakhs from SBI. He is a state government employee and works in the XYZ department. His annual income is around 10 lakhs.”

Explain why you decided to pursue a master’s degree at this point in your career, and how it will help you achieve your professional goals and aspirations. For example, “I want to upgrade my skills and gain expertise in the field of data science, so I can grow with the industry requirements and become a leader in this domain.”

Explain why you chose to study in the U.S. for your undergraduate degree, and what are the benefits and advantages of doing so. For example, “The U.S. is known for its world-class education system, which provides a lot of flexibility in terms of major and minor options, specialization choices, and research and hands-on experience opportunities. It also gives a rich and diverse cultural experience, which enhances my personal and professional growth.”

Give the exact number and names of your siblings, and their ages and occupations. For example, “I have two siblings, a brother and a sister. My brother is 25 years old and works as a software engineer. My sister is 22 years old and studies medicine.”

If yes, give the names and relationships of your relatives, and their locations and statuses in the U.S. For example, “Yes, I have an uncle and an aunt in the U.S. They live in New York and are U.S. citizens. They work as doctors in a hospital.”

If yes, give the names and dates of the countries that you visited, and the purpose and duration of your trips. For example, “Yes, I have traveled to Singapore and Thailand in the last five years. I went to Singapore in 2019 for a summer internship at a tech company for two months. I went to Thailand in 2020 for a vacation with my family for one week.”

Show that you have some knowledge and interest in your university’s culture and traditions, and that you are excited to be a part of it. For example, “My university mascot is the Cardinal, which is a red bird that symbolizes courage, strength, and spirit. I think it is a very fitting mascot for the university, as it reflects its values and vision. I am looking forward to seeing the Cardinal at the sports events and other campus activities.”

Show that you have some familiarity and curiosity about the city where you will be studying, and that you are prepared for the cultural and environmental differences. For example, “I know that Boston is one of the oldest and most historic cities in the U.S., and that it has a lot of cultural and educational attractions, such as museums, libraries, and parks. I also know that it has a cold and snowy climate, which is very different from India. I am eager to explore the city and experience its culture and lifestyle.”