Help F1 worried will lose status

[Expecting 0]

I am currently on F1, got into the country in January 2012 for an MSc. but performed poorly in academics, I tried to effect a change of school before Fall 2012 but it appears it's not going to work out, I do not wish to continue with the program I got in for since I believe a poor CGPA will negatively affect my chances of getting a place for OPT and also be a slight on my image.

a. Will I go out of status if I do not get enrolled in a school this Fall?

b. Is it safe for me to be out of school till Spring 2013 commences?

c. If anyone know any school still taking application for Fall 2012 semester for graduate studies, kindly inform me.

d. Another issue is, is it possible for me to start all over in a new school without my current poor transcript coming into play?

e. Then how do I know that I'm out of status?

I am very worried to the state of falling ill these days as I do not want to return to my country a failure and I'm terrified to death of being an outlaw here. All I need is to have a second chance to start afresh in a field I'm more comfortable in.

Please help!

[Little_My 464]

If you are not enrolled, full time, during fall 2012 semester, you will fall out of status. The rules for F-1 visa holders are very clear. If the issue has been poor performance in academics, I'm not sure why you think the situation would be different in another school - do you feel the school you are in at the moment is not a right fit for you? Is the teaching bad? Given the cost of education here, it doesn't seem sensible to me for you to enroll in a different school, unless you are certain this same situation would not repeat itself.

To enroll into a different program in another school, you obviously have to first apply and be accepted - whether or not you would have to submit the transcript from this current school would depend on the requirements of the new school. Since you haven't finished a degree in this school, and you obviously have a bachelor's level degree since you were already admitted into a Master's program in the US, I don't see why you would necessarily have to submit the transcripts from this current school you are in if you didn't want to.

You can't just drop out, stay here for months and while staying here apply for new programs. You will fall out of status. You either have to stay enrolled in school, with a full time course load, and apply for new school's while studying in this current school, or you have to leave the US and reapply for new programs from your home country. In that situation, you will also have to re-apply for the visa. If I am not mistaken, as long as you do not fall out of status and you are in the US under the F1 status, you do not need to get a new visa if you get accepted to a new school - they will simply issue you a new I-20.

[Harsh_77 718]

You cannot just stay in the country and not attend school, you were admitted under F1, which means you have to be in school for full-time.

For first semester you have to attend the school on who’s i-20 you acquired the F1 visa, later you can transfer to another school.

That would be upto the new school how they admit you either based on your existing transcript or on degree from your home country.

[DC85 113]

the approval of OPT has nothing to do with GPA .... what the other members said is correct, but I really encourage you to talk to the international office at your school, these people could help. but, you need to understand you cant sit here on F1 and you are not enrolled as a full time except if there is a sever illness

[DC85 113]

I know some schools here in DC area still accept applications for grad studies for Fall 2012