G-325A

[OnceaTexan 3]

I am new to this forum but I have done a thorough search and could not find a story similar to mine. I am applying for AOS through marriage. I've been in F-1 for the past 10 years B.A-M.A.-PhD. Now I've been a good boy for the past 10 years except a few weeks between completing a masters and getting my OPT card. Over a summer term I got this scholarship that allowed me to take independent studies, and not be on campus right before graduating in August. So I packed my bags and left for a music festival where I "volunteered" for housing. I never received a dime, and called this part of one of my independent studies. I sort of knew what I was doing was on the border of legal. I did not apply for CPT since I was already waiting for my OPT. Now I regret those 20 something days because I am not sure what to write on form G-325A. Should I write a teary letter describing everything in detail? Should I list that place casually in my employment even though I was never paid. Should I list it over housing rather since I stayed there but was not paid? Should I mention it in passing on an attached piece of paper such as "i stayed here and there, then i volunteered here, then i stayed there and began the OPT"

From what I read, I understand it's better to be honest than lie and I fully agree...however following the Animal Farm rule some are more equal than others, I guess some are more honest than others applies as well. When is too much information too much? I am OK with explaining everything except I am afraid by being too honest and upfront I will complicate things and raise more suspicion. I do not want to open a can of worms if it can be avoided by the use of carefully selected words.

Any information or reassurance would be of great help,

Thank you

[souleymon 27]

Make use of careful n selected xplanations.dont state what needs nt to be stated.be straight n real

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Let me see if I understand this. Over a summer, you received some sort of extension on your visa to do "independent studies" for the summer - which would probably be along the lines of independent research, or volunteering in a lab or something, right? Instead of doing the most obvious sort of independent study, you volunteered at a music festival for a few weeks. In order to properly volunteer there, you had to live there.

I don't really understand the problem here, but I must be missing something. Who says you weren't doing fieldwork on the culture of music festivals? Did you not maintain whatever residence you had?

[OnceaTexan 3]

Let me see if I understand this. Over a summer, you received some sort of extension on your visa to do "independent studies" for the summer - which would probably be along the lines of independent research, or volunteering in a lab or something, right? Instead of doing the most obvious sort of independent study, you volunteered at a music festival for a few weeks. In order to properly volunteer there, you had to live there.

I don't really understand the problem here, but I must be missing something. Who says you weren't doing fieldwork on the culture of music festivals? Did you not maintain whatever residence you had?

I was completing my Masters in theater, and waiting for OPT/EAD card. Over that summer I was still enrolled in some independent studies, and getting paid by the university legally. I told my professor I will go to a music/theater festival and have that consider the work for one of the studies I was taking with him. He agreed. This however was not granted by the International Student Office, nor did it show with the Registrar. It was an understanding between me and him that I should take advantage of the festival, while he would pass me the class for the work I'd be doing there.

At the festival I received housing for the work I was doing. They never filed any sort of employment paper work for me. They liked getting help for free. However from what I read the USCIS considers employment any work that results in some benefit. It is a thin line of course.

Now the issue is if to disclose this since the month spent at the festival is also a month spent between one residency and another. It probably does not show in any system, but do not want to risk too much. As you can see it is a complicated story that may trigger questions into why that professor agreed to this, why did I not give notice to the International Student Office, etc. Thank you!

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Sounds like your advisor thought the experience was worthwhile to your education. It sounds like an independent study you carried out while your Uni was paying you to do independent studies.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

The form asks for employers. If you're worried you could write "Employer name - volunteered". There really is no drama either way because it's forgiven as the spouse of a USC.