F1 approved. Changed mind about school want to attend

[Duni 0]

Hello. Question is on behalf of a relative that was approved for F1 visa . she will enter the US at the end of the month on her recently approved F1 visa, the visa lists a specific school. She changed her mind and wishes to attend another school that is also certified and admits her. Can she right away just attend the other school without problem as long as both schools are informed of the change?

[milimelo 4,522]

She better get the F1 visa for the school she will attend PRIOR to leaving. She can’t use F1 visa for the school she won’t attend. 

[USS_Voyager 1,972]

26 minutes ago, milimelo said:

She better get the F1 visa for the school she will attend PRIOR to leaving. She can’t use F1 visa for the school she won’t attend. 

I’m sorry but that I think that’s just wrong. She can enter the US using the visa. The F1 visa is NOT school-specific, although it mentions the name of the school. She has to have documentations (I-20 of the new school, and financial documents,... ) and answer truthfully when asked, but yes, she can enter using the visa and the I-20 of the new school.

[SusieQQQ 11,587]

From the official source:

 

If you have arrived in the United States but want to transfer to a new school before you begin classes at the school listed on your Form I-20, talk to the DSO at the school listed on that form. You need to inform the DSO that you have arrived in the United States and want to transfer immediately to another SEVP-certified school. You must show proof of acceptance to your new school. You must report to your new school and enroll in a full course of study within 30 days of arriving in the United States.

 

https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/instructions-for-transferring-to-another-school-as-an-f-1-student

 

 

[eliottreid 9]

Just do a SEVIS transfer once you're in the U.S. not a big deal