Applying to graduate school during AOS FBI name-check

[bobby_DE 0]

Hi all,

Hope things are going on well in here . As several of you may know, I had my AOS interview on 12th September and was approved with the FBI name-check pending. I would really appreciate it if someone could shed light in regards to my upcoming situation.

I am currently working on an EAD (obtained through the AOS process) and am planning to enroll in a Ph.D. program next Fall. I spoke to the Graduate Admissions office of one the universities that I plan to apply to and the officer told me that I have to apply under a F-1 visa as long as I do not have my LPR status and green-card in hand.

My question is has anyone else gone through a similar situation? I am hoping that me applying to attend graduate school does not impact my AOS in any way. Please share your inputs and experiences.

[zsam 0]

that sounds a bit odd. I mean, you are already in the united states and are simply awaiting your green card. It is possible that the Admission office may be a bit confused. Maybe you can check in with someone else as well at an admission office?

I know from our experience that being on a K visa or pending is really not very well understood by schools or jobs. It is the most difficult thing to explain that you're legal but waiting. They just do not understand why you don't have the greencard already! My husband went to dental school while waiting for the AOS (we didn't even have the interview yet)

Best of luck but definitely check with another school..if you get the same story again about needing the F-1 then that's what you need to do!

[bobby_DE 0]

that sounds a bit odd. I mean, you are already in the united states and are simply awaiting your green card. It is possible that the Admission office may be a bit confused. Maybe you can check in with someone else as well at an admission office?

I know from our experience that being on a K visa or pending is really not very well understood by schools or jobs. It is the most difficult thing to explain that you're legal but waiting. They just do not understand why you don't have the greencard already! My husband went to dental school while waiting for the AOS (we didn't even have the interview yet)

Best of luck but definitely check with another school..if you get the same story again about needing the F-1 then that's what you need to do!

Hi zsam, thanks so much for your input! Did your husband show his I-485 receipt as proof of being legal before/during/after applying for admission?

I,too, suspect that the person I spoke with was confused. I did not mention name check etc. because that would further complicate the situation to a clueless person; therefore I explained that I had applied for permanent residency and am in the process, meanwhile I am working with AOS-granted EAD. I have written to the 3 school in addition to my previous MS grad school to see what they require. Someone told me that she applied to enter grad school while her AOS was pending, and showed her I-485 pending. Hope I get an answer soon...

[zsam 0]

hi--he didn't show the i-485 but simply specified his visa status on the application form. they then knew they did not have to worry about a student visa for him. i think you have all the paperwork you need...

[LaL 418]

I thought the hangup with going to school had more to do with Federal funding (loans) than admission. I guess not!

good luck

Edited October 9, 2007 by LaL

[bobby_DE 0]

Hi guys,

I did hear back from 2 of the 3 schools I am interested in and they both said apply as a permanent resident or Pending permanent resident (AOS). In the area of my study, the admission to these programs are granted only when there are sufficient funding from the advisor (professor I choose to work with and do research eventually) for the successful applicant, that's why I was anxious to know how to apply. I really hope this name check thing clears up soon... thanks so much,zsam.