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Student Visa: Application and Interview
All students currently outside the United States (except Canadian citizens) must apply for an F-1 student visa.
Canadians: You do not need to get an entry visa at a US Embassy prior to departure. Make sure you stop at the border and present your passport, acceptance letter, and I-20 to the U.S. Immigration Authorities to obtain an I-94 number and a stamp in your passport indicating F-1 status.
We have prepared the following information to help you prepare for your F-1 visa application and interview at the U.S. Consulate or Embassy in your country. Please begin the application process now – do not wait to apply! Check out this video webinar to give you some tips!
Locate your local U.S. Embassy or Consulate at http://www.usembassy.gov
Review the F-1 visa application instructions specific to your country.
Arrange a visa interview. Interview appointments can be scheduled no earlier than 120 days prior to the start of your studies, as indicated on your I-20 form.
Pay the SEVIS fee at http://www.fmjfee.com. Pay at least three working days prior to your interview appointment.
Have your I-20 form and your credit card available before you begin.
Click the “Proceed to I-901 Form and Payment” button.
Scroll to the bottom of the next page and select the “I-20” option and click OK.
Enter all information exactly as requested.
Print at least two copies of the receipt.
Submit the DS-160 application form on-line and pay the DS-160 application fee. Keep a copy of your receipt. Print and keep the DS-160 confirmation barcode page.
Schedule your visa interview and pay the visa application processing fee. Procedures for the visa interview may vary by country, so please pay particular attention to the information provided by your local U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
Visa Interview Tips
At the interview, you will typically need to provide the following:
I-20 form, issued by Maryville College, bearing your SEVIS record number.
Acceptance letter from Maryville College.
Application Forms DS-156 and DS-158. Some males must submit Form DS-157. These forms can be downloaded from the Embassy webpage.
A passport valid for at least six months after your proposed date of entry into the U.S.
One 2x2 inch photograph.
A receipt of your visa application fee(s). Pay before your appointment. This fee is separate from the SEVIS I-901 fee.
A receipt of your SEVIS I-901 fee.
Financial evidence showing your/your parent’s/your sponsor’s sufficient funds to cover your tuition and living expenses during your studies.
Transcripts and diplomas from previous schools (suggested for new visas, required for visa renewals).
Scores from standardized tests required by the college, such as the TOEFL (suggested, but not required).
A one-page letter which states your educational goals. This letter can explain to the Embassy or Consulate why you want to study in the U.S., what you hope to achieve while here, and what you plan to do when you return to your country.
Letters from your employers or future employers, explaining how your studies in the U.S. will help you to get good jobs in your home country (suggested, but not required).
Visa Application Tips
Show ties to home country.
Under U.S. law, all applicants for nonimmigrant visas are viewed as intending immigrants until they can convince the consular officer that they are not. You must therefore be able to show that you have reasons for returning to your home country that are stronger than those for remaining in the United States.
Speak English.
Expect that the interview will be conducted in English and not in your native language.
Speak for yourself.
Do not bring parents or family members with you to the interview. The consular officer wants to interview you, not your family.
Know your academic program and how it fits your career plans.
If you are not able to explain the reasons you will study in a particular program in the United States, you may not succeed in convincing the consular officer that you are indeed planning to study, rather than to immigrate.
Be concise.
Because of the volume of applications received, consular offices are under considerable pressure to conduct a quick and efficient interview. Keep your answers to the officer’s questions short and to the point.
Organize your documents.
It should be clear at a glance to the consular officer what written documents you have.
Understand that not all countries are equal.
Applicants from countries suffering economic problems or from countries where many students have remained in the U.S. as immigrants have more difficulty getting visas.
Come to the U.S. to study.
Your main purpose of coming to the United States should be to study, not for the chance to work before or after graduation.
Maintain a positive attitude.
Do not argue with the consular officer. If denied, try to get the reason in writing.
(Credit for this information given to Gerald A. Wunsch, Esq., and the U.S. Department of State.)
Becoming - a - Scot
Congratulations on becoming a Maryville College Scot. Our mascot is the Fighting Scot. When you are admitted to Maryville College, you will access Becoming-A-Scot information through yourMVP (admissions) Portal. This is a different set of instructions and forms from your admissions application.
Maryville College will use this portal to provide you with information and to collect information from you. You will be asked to complete tasks in this portal, but there are also tasks specific to international students that we will be asking you to complete
Housing Sign-up
All international students are guaranteed housing at Maryville College if you apply by the deadline. Maryville College is a residential campus. Students are required to live on-campus in residence halls. (student dormitories).
TO DO You will request housing through your MVP Portal. The information on this form will be used to match you with roommate(s).
Room Types: You can learn about our residence halls and policies online. The majority of rooms on campus are double rooms (students share their room with another student. There are some apartment-style suites available, but often the rooms are still shared because there are very few single rooms available. Our residence life office works very hard to place students, however we can not guarantee that students will be able to have their first preference of rooms.
Freshmen (students in the first year of a four year degree): All freshmen are housed in either Gamble, Copeland or Davis Hall. (Gamble is all male, Davis is all female, and Copeland has floors that are male and floors that are female only)
Residence Life will email you as soon as they know what room you will have and who your roommate is (probably in July or early August). Do not worry if you do not receive an email before you leave. We will meet you upon your arrival to help you move in.
Deposit: Freshmen and transfer students, your housing deposit is part of the $300 deposit you have already made. Exchange students, you will be asked to pay a $100 housing deposit when you arrive (and a $100 general deposit). Deposits are refundable when you leave.
Linens/Bedding
All new incoming freshmen and exchange students should plan to bring or order bedding in advance of arrival. (ORDER: Extra Long Twin size sheets, comforter/blanket, and pillow)
What to Expect
While in the USA you will be an ambassador of your home country. This means that when living with or around locals, we expect all participants to follow local rules and regulations and to be respectful of those around them. Make yourself familiar with our housing rules and what is expected of you during your stay here.
Remember that different doesn't mean bad. The housing in the US may be different than what you are accustomed to at home.
Air conditioning and heating are common, but you won't have individual control to regulate the temperatures in your area. It is highly recommended to bring some cozy clothes to wear around the room as you adjust to air conditioning inside or before the heat gets turned on for the season.
You'll get used to it, but flexibility and an open mind are important!
Medical Requirements Prior to Arrival
On the Becoming-a-Scot MVP portal you will be asked to submit proof of immunizations. You will be asked to create an account online, and complete necessary forms. Be sure to have proof of immunizations you have had available to you.
Required Immunizations
Mandatory - Measles, Mumps, Rubella (2 doses) & Chicken Pox (Varicella, 2 doses)
Recommended - Meningitis and Hepatitis B
Questions? email them to the Admissions Office at admissions@maryvillecollege.edu
If you need a waiver for vaccines due to medical, religious, or other possible reasons please email will.doran@maryvillecollege.edu
Health Insurance Requirement
If you are a Maryville College student, you will be required to carry medical health insurance for the full duration of your program. Maryville College provides students and dependents with health insurance through International Student Insurance. Please pay attention to the following rules to determine what applies to you:
Exchange Students - J-1 students or dependents sponsored by Maryville College may NOT opt out of our insurance plan.
o ISEP, IREX, and World Learning students, since you have a different J-visa sponsor, you will need to have their insurance. StudyUSA you need to have insurance approved through British Council.
Degree-Seeking Students - F-1 (or other visa-type) students may NOT opt out of our insurance plan.
Cost & Coverage Dates (2024)
Fall: August 11. 2024 – January 7, 2025 $350 (new student rate)
Spring: January 5, 2024 – August 10, 2025 $500
***note: students who are 25 – 49 are subject to higher insurance prices.
Cost & Coverage Dates (2023)
Fall: August 13. 2023 – January 8, 2024 $450 (new student rate)
Spring: January 19, 2024 – August 31, 2024 $600
***note: students who are 25 – 49 are subject to higher insurance prices.
We will enroll all J-1 (as per conditions above) and all F-1 students in this policy AUTOMATICALLY. You will pay for it upon arrival, and it will be valid from the dates above.
All students should, however, consider one’s own health condition, talk with one’s physician, and ensure that one has adequate coverage to meet one’s personal needs that may not be met by the Maryville College Health Insurance.
Allergies
If you have an allergy, please be sure to disclose it on your medical information form.
See here for an example: Custom Allergy Translation Card
While abroad, be vigilant about reminding waiters, staff, and host families about your allergy. You can't be too cautious!
Important Documents to bring with you
Documents
Upon arrival at a U.S. port of entry, you will be asked to show your passport, visa (which is in your passport) and I-20. You may also be requested to show your financial documents for inspection. Make sure to carry all this information with you and not in your checked baggage.
When you are traveling in the United States, please carry the following items with you on the plane, NOT in your checked luggage.
I-20 form
Passport with valid visa
Arrival information (addresses, phone numbers, etc.)
Financial documentation (with the same information that was shown to Maryville College to receive your I-20)
Cash, traveler’s checks, credit cards (We strongly advise you to not carry a lot of cash, but have some with you for emergencies. Use traveler’s checks and credit cards for safer travel and easier replacement of funds if lost or stolen.)
Copy of your original high-school transcripts
Once you have been admitted to the U.S., you will be issued an I-94 number. The Customs & Border Patrol Officer may give you directions for accessing this information online. If not, we will help you with this when you arrive. This number documents your arrival date, your port of entry, your visa status, and the duration of your stay. You will also receive an immigration stamp in your passport.
Before you leave:
Please make copies of all your important documents (passport, entry visa [except CDNS], I-20, etc.) and keep them in a safe place! Carefully read the restrictions and responsibilities on page two of your I-20 form and sign at the bottom of the I-20 form. Pay close attention to the above visa information.
Important: If your immigration documents are not in order, the Immigration Inspector may give you a form called I-515. If this happens, it is very important that you come to the Center for Global Engagement immediately upon arriving on campus!
Important: Bring your original high-school transcript (or transcript from a previous college/institution) as these will go and stay at the registrar's office once arriving at Maryville College.
Contact Information
Please bring the following contact information with you, in case you have any trouble during your travel period:
If you are arriving later or earlier than expected, please call:
Ms. Kirsten Sheppard
Office Phone: 865-981-8055
WhatsApp: 865-591-8646
Immigration Issues:
If you have any trouble with immigration, call the above numbers to talk to a Responsible Officer.
ISEP, IREX,World Learning students, you should bring your sponsors immigration contact information with you because they are your Responsible Officers.
If you are not sure who to call:
Call Kirsten Sheppard at the above information.
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