Transfer of I-20 from Masters Degree to Associate Degree

[Shaina G]

I am currently on OPT (expiring Feb 2015). I graduated on Masters but wanted to take some more classes which I think is going to be beneficial for me in the future. Not to mention, I wanted to be in status up until the H1B filing months as well.

Since tuition is very expensive, I am planning on going to take Associate Degree in a Community College near me.

Will I have an issue in taking Associate Degree after graduating with my Masters'? I have MA in Interior Design, planning to take Associate Degree in Construction Management.
If asked why take Associate Degree, any of you have a good suggestion on how to answer that?

Thank you so much everybody!

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Please clarify the reason for joining Associate degree program. Did you check your eligibility for Cap-Gap?


Read more about Cap-Gap:


Cap Gap Regulations: http://forum.desiopt.com/entry.php/4...ap-Regulations
5 Key timelines during Cap Gap Extension: http://forum.desiopt.com/entry.php/1...-Gap-Extension
Experience: http://desiopt.com/include/themes/cu...capgap-h1b.php
Driver License renewal during Cap Gap-https://www.facebook.com/desiopt1/posts/666648826685823
Cap-Gap Regulations: http://www.uscis.gov/working-united-...ap-regulations


There had been discussions on Cap-Gap extension and H1B filing. Few discussion links are listed below

http://forum.desiopt.com/showthread.php/2121-Cap-Gap-if-H1B-Denied

http://forum.desiopt.com/showthread.php/2150-Cap-gap-or-stem-opt-extension

http://forum.desiopt.com/showthread.php/1344-H1-B-application-April-2014-OPT-ext-expires-Aug-2014-What-should-I-do-to-work

https://www.facebook.com/desiopt1/posts/809797665704271

https://www.facebook.com/desiopt1/posts/641550152529024

https://www.facebook.com/desiopt1/posts/636752606342112

http://forum.desiopt.com/showthread.php/1249-Am-I-eligible-for-OPT-Cap-Gap-Extension

http://forum.desiopt.com/showthread.php/260-Cap-Gap-Extension-Proof

http://forum.desiopt.com/showthread.php/179-I-want-to-apply-for-H1B-in-2014-as-my-OPT-is-valid-till-july-2014-Whats-happening-C

http://www.desiopt.com/include/themes/custom/article-opt-capgap-h1b.php

http://forum.desiopt.com/showthread.php/2041-Can-I-travel-to-India-after-my-H1-filing-is-done

http://forum.desiopt.com/showthread.php/2164-OPT-end-date-DEC19-2014-H-1B-not-selected-in-lottery-Staying-back-in-Cap-Gap

If your question is not addressed in above links/Forums/Facebook posts then let us know.
IMPORTANT: Write back Specific question that we can post on Facebook wall. Thanks DesiOPT Team.

[Shaina G]

Hello,

Thank you for the respond.

I have checked with my school International Adviser, she said I am not qualified for "cap-gap". They said, in order for me to be qualified, my OPT has to be valid at least until the H1B Application starts. But since my OPT will expire by Feb, I am not qualified.

My reason of getting the Associate Degree are:
1. The College is closer to my place.
2. Tuition is cheaper.
3. The program and the classes I will be taking will be beneficial for my career.

But the main reason to be honest is the cheaper cost of tuition and my interest in the program's class called REVIT.

So, I am not sure if that is a valid reason of taking an Associate Degree.

If you could help me please. I just talked to the International Office of that college, they said I need to write them a letter stating why Associates Degree. And I am not sure if my I am to be honest with my reason, and that may cost me not being admitted in the school.

I hope you can give me some direction of where to go, and what to do.

Thank you so much! I really appreciate everyone's time.

Please clarify the reason for joining Associate degree program. Did you check your eligibility for Cap-Gap?


Read more about Cap-Gap:


Cap Gap Regulations: http://forum.desiopt.com/entry.php/4...ap-Regulations
5 Key timelines during Cap Gap Extension: http://forum.desiopt.com/entry.php/1...-Gap-Extension
Experience: http://desiopt.com/include/themes/cu...capgap-h1b.php
Driver License renewal during Cap Gap-https://www.facebook.com/desiopt1/posts/666648826685823
Cap-Gap Regulations: http://www.uscis.gov/working-united-...ap-regulations


There had been discussions on Cap-Gap extension and H1B filing. Few discussion links are listed below

http://forum.desiopt.com/showthread.php/2121-Cap-Gap-if-H1B-Denied

http://forum.desiopt.com/showthread.php/2150-Cap-gap-or-stem-opt-extension

http://forum.desiopt.com/showthread.php/1344-H1-B-application-April-2014-OPT-ext-expires-Aug-2014-What-should-I-do-to-work

https://www.facebook.com/desiopt1/posts/809797665704271

https://www.facebook.com/desiopt1/posts/641550152529024

https://www.facebook.com/desiopt1/posts/636752606342112

http://forum.desiopt.com/showthread.php/1249-Am-I-eligible-for-OPT-Cap-Gap-Extension

http://forum.desiopt.com/showthread.php/260-Cap-Gap-Extension-Proof

http://forum.desiopt.com/showthread.php/179-I-want-to-apply-for-H1B-in-2014-as-my-OPT-is-valid-till-july-2014-Whats-happening-C

http://www.desiopt.com/include/themes/custom/article-opt-capgap-h1b.php

http://forum.desiopt.com/showthread.php/2041-Can-I-travel-to-India-after-my-H1-filing-is-done

http://forum.desiopt.com/showthread.php/2164-OPT-end-date-DEC19-2014-H-1B-not-selected-in-lottery-Staying-back-in-Cap-Gap

If your question is not addressed in above links/Forums/Facebook posts then let us know.
IMPORTANT: Write back Specific question that we can post on Facebook wall. Thanks DesiOPT Team.

[lisaanderson]

I am currently on OPT (expiring Feb 2015). I graduated on Masters but wanted to take some more classes which I think is going to be beneficial for me in the future. Not to mention, I wanted to be in status up until the H1B filing months as well.

Since tuition is very expensive, I am planning on going to take Associate Degree in a Community College near me.

Will I have an issue in taking Associate Degree after graduating with my Masters'? I have MA in Interior Design, planning to take Associate Degree in Construction Management.
If asked why take Associate Degree, any of you have a good suggestion on how to answer that?

Thank you so much everybody!

1. Who is asking why? The only person who is asking is the school admissions officer. You need to tell them why you want the degree (maybe explain it will help you in your career). As you are still in F-1 status, as long as you have a new I-20 before your OPT ends, you will remain in F-1 status (no need to “apply” for COS to F-1 or reinstatement).
2. Under H-1B Cap Gap, as long as the H-1B is filed while you are in F-1 status (including the grace period after OPT), you will remain in status until USCIS adjudicates the petition or until September 30. Try these helpful links: http://www.visapro.com/h1b-cap/default.asp, http://www.visapro.com/Immigration-A.../?a=1517&z=45m, and http://vimeo.com/88637312.

[Shaina G]

Hi Lisa Anderson,

Thank you so much for your response.. So just to be clear, the "why associate degree?" is subjective to school by school and won't really be submitted to Immigration?

Thank you again.

--Shaina

1. Who is asking why? The only person who is asking is the school admissions officer. You need to tell them why you want the degree (maybe explain it will help you in your career). As you are still in F-1 status, as long as you have a new I-20 before your OPT ends, you will remain in F-1 status (no need to “apply” for COS to F-1 or reinstatement).
2. Under H-1B Cap Gap, as long as the H-1B is filed while you are in F-1 status (including the grace period after OPT), you will remain in status until USCIS adjudicates the petition or until September 30. Try these helpful links: http://www.visapro.com/h1b-cap/default.asp, http://www.visapro.com/Immigration-A.../?a=1517&z=45m, and http://vimeo.com/88637312.