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Multiple I-20s are completely normal
U.S. universities all follow different timelines. Admits and I-20s can arrive anywhere from March through to the end of May, so it is very common to receive one I-20 early and then get a better offer — along with a new I-20 — a few weeks later. It is equally common to simply change your mind about a university and end up with an I-20 from your new choice. None of this is a red flag. The officer reviewing your case understands how the U.S. admissions cycle works.
What you do need to get right
The one thing that matters is making sure you are using the correct I-20 — the one from the university you actually plan to attend — when you book your visa interview slot and when you fill in your DS-160. Double-check that the SEVIS ID and program details on your I-20 match exactly what you have entered in the form. A mismatch there can cause real problems, even though holding multiple I-20s on their own will not.
One rule you cannot skip: declare every I-20 at your interview
If you received an I-20 from a university, you cannot leave that university out when the officer asks how many admits you received. You must declare it. Officers ask this question routinely, and any attempt to omit a school you were formally admitted to — and received an I-20 from — will look like dishonesty, which is far more damaging than simply having multiple I-20s. Be straightforward: mention every school that issued you one, then explain clearly which one you have chosen and why.
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