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Trend 1: Hyderabad handled the highest volume, Kolkata the lowest
If you have been scrolling through forums and notice that most approval and rejection stories seem to come from Hyderabad, there is a straightforward reason: sheer volume. Hyderabad saw the highest number of F1 visa interviews in Week 1, while Kolkata saw the lowest. This mirrors what happened in the last intake. So before you read too much into those Hyderabad numbers — good or bad — remember that more interviews simply means more data points, not a higher or lower standard at that consulate.
Trend 2: Low-ranked universities are getting approved — and that is surprising
This one genuinely caught my attention. Universities like Lewis, Trine, and Alliant — names that have historically struggled to get visa approvals — were approved in Week 1. If you are attending a university that is not in the top tier, do not assume your application is automatically weaker. The approvals are happening. What matters is how well you can explain and defend your choice.
Trend 3: Rejection rates are higher for certain profiles
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Book a Mock InterviewThe rejection pattern this week is worth paying close attention to. Officers appear to be more cautious with two specific groups: students who have already completed a Master's degree, and students who have a long employment gap or a significant amount of work experience. On the flip side, fresh graduates and candidates with around four to five years of work experience are also seeing higher rejection rates. If your profile falls into any of these categories, you need to prepare especially thoroughly — your motivation and intent will be scrutinised more closely.
Trend 4: Interviews are running longer than expected
Honestly, this one surprised me. My expectation going into this intake was that interviews would be short and transactional. Instead, visa officers are asking a lot of questions and — this is the important part — giving students enough time to actually answer them. If your interview is running long, do not panic. It does not mean things are going badly. Take your time, give complete answers, and treat the extra questions as an opportunity to strengthen your case.
Trend 5: 'Why this university?' is still the most asked question
Week after week, intake after intake, this question refuses to go away — and Spring 2025 is no different. 'Why this university?' was the single most frequently asked question across all five consulates in Week 1. If you have not prepared a sharp, specific, and genuinely convincing answer to this question, that is the first thing you should work on before your interview date.
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