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Applications hub

Applications · what-if

If this fails, what do I do next?

Symptom → likely cause → safe next action. Not legal advice; verify on official university and government sites.

Interactive trees

What-if tree

Admit reject / waitlist / defer

The portal says reject, waitlist, or defer—and I freeze.

What did the school say?

What-if tree

Visa 214(b) / 221(g)

Interview ended with 214(b) or 221(g) and I do not know the next move.

Which outcome did you get?

What-if tree

Wrong document / expired passport

I uploaded the wrong file or my passport is too short / expired.

What went wrong?

What-if tree

Funding shortfall

Bank balance or loan is short of the I-20 amount.

Where is the gap?

What-if tree

I-20 / SEVIS fee order

I do not know whether to pay SEVIS, fill DS-160, or wait for I-20.

Do you have a valid I-20 for this school/term?

Edge-case library

11 matches

  • Admit reject / waitlist / defer

    The portal says reject, waitlist, or defer—and I freeze.

    Likely cause
    Fit, capacity, funding, or incomplete file. One school is not the whole season.
    Safe next action
    Open the interactive tree and pick the branch that matches.
    ShortlistOpen what-if tree

  • Visa 214(b) / 221(g)

    Interview ended with 214(b) or 221(g) and I do not know the next move.

    Likely cause
    Officer was not convinced of nonimmigrant intent / ties / program clarity. This is not legal advice.
    Safe next action
    Open the interactive tree and pick the branch that matches.
    State Dept visa denialsOpen what-if tree

  • Wrong document / expired passport

    I uploaded the wrong file or my passport is too short / expired.

    Likely cause
    Wrong PDF, old SOP, or bad scan.
    Safe next action
    Open the interactive tree and pick the branch that matches.
    Upload specsOpen what-if tree

  • Funding shortfall

    Bank balance or loan is short of the I-20 amount.

    Likely cause
    School will not issue I-20 on incomplete funding proof.
    Safe next action
    Open the interactive tree and pick the branch that matches.
    Financial proofOpen what-if tree

  • I-20 / SEVIS fee order

    I do not know whether to pay SEVIS, fill DS-160, or wait for I-20.

    Likely cause
    SEVIS ID and school details come from the I-20.
    Safe next action
    Open the interactive tree and pick the branch that matches.
    Visas playbookOpen what-if tree

  • Wrong checkbox on the application

    I selected the wrong program, term, or waiver box.

    Likely cause
    Portal fields are easy to mis-click under deadline pressure.
    Safe next action
    If editable, fix before submit. If already submitted, email admissions with application ID and the correction. Do not open a duplicate app unless they say so.
    Grad portal fieldsCommon App fields

  • Photo rejected for dimensions

    CEAC or portal rejects my photo size or background.

    Likely cause
    Head size, background, or file type does not meet the published spec.
    Safe next action
    Retake/crop to the official 2×2 / pixel rules. Use a visa photo studio if needed. See upload specs.
    Upload specsDS-160 fields

  • Missed application deadline

    The portal closed before I submitted.

    Likely cause
    Hard deadline or rolling seat filled.
    Safe next action
    Check whether a late/rolling round exists. Otherwise move to the next school on your shortlist or the next term—do not pay an agent for a “backdoor.”
    ShortlistMy Path

  • Deposit paid, then visa refused

    I paid the seat deposit and later got 214(b)/refusal.

    Likely cause
    Deposit and visa are separate processes.
    Safe next action
    Read the school’s refund/defer policy immediately. Ask international admissions about deferral. Revisit visa only with a stronger file—no guarantees.
    Compare offersVisa what-if

  • CPT talk before I-20 / status is ready

    Someone said I can start CPT / work before paperwork is done.

    Likely cause
    CPT requires DSO authorization and eligible status—rumors are risky.
    Safe next action
    Do not work off rumors. Read the CPT concept guide and confirm with your DSO after you are in status.
    CPT conceptJobs & CPT/OPT service

  • Travel without I-20 travel signature

    I want to leave the U.S. and my I-20 travel signature is missing/expired.

    Likely cause
    Re-entry on F-1 usually needs a valid travel signature and other docs.
    Safe next action
    Request a travel signature from the DSO before you fly. Read travel/re-entry guidance—do not gamble at the airport.
    Travel & re-entry conceptVisas playbook