Kanchi - I went to Nepal on dec 2009 in my 3 weeks winter break. My visa was expired and I had 2 more qtrs to go which was 6 months.
I just went to Nepal as i was confidence that I haven't done anything wrong here and I had continous schooling and i only had 20 Qtr units which is around 13 semester units remaining to graduate. By that time I was already 6 yrs in States.
I had to re apply.
I had the following documents -
I-20
Bank balance of 6000 $ of BofA
Officail Transcripts
Letter of completion of program from International student advisor and the letter of status.
The only thing diff from you on me was that I didn't have any F's and my GPA was around 3.2
My experience at the interview -
Had a lady counsellor who was rude.
If I didn't missed any part, the following was my conversation -
Counsellor - u were there for 6 yrs huh (unpolite way)
Me - yah, i took extra courses that didn't transfer in my upper division program and I had taken a semester off to see my parents back in 2006.
She goes to my SEVIS records -
Counsellor - How much was your tuition fee @ Ferris State University (it's the university where i had a visa for n then transferred to LA)
Me - around 6000$
(she looks into the SEVIS for more info)
Counsellor - what did you do from 2004 to 2006 (that was the time I had X-ferred from Ferris to Los Angeles City College)
Me - I went to Los Angeles City College
Counsellor - Did you went to ....... College? (i forgot that college name she asked me)
Me - No
Counsellor - But it is here on the system
Me - I never been. From Ferris, i went to LACC and then now m at Cal State Uni Los Angeles
( She checks my grade on my transcript, the recent fall quarter, i had 3 A's in all subject, the best in my career.
At the mean time, damn dawg I think I should have never come as she was taking atleat some time 5-6 mins viewing my course details)
Then
Counsellor - Who supports you
Me - My parents
Counsellor - what does ur parents do
Me - business ( man, i wasn't nervous evn though she had taken some time, the only nervous was that if she could have given me hard time as i was showing the bank statement o f BofA of 6000$ only).
Counsellor - come monday to pick up ur passport with 200$.
damn homie, she didn't even close the conversation with humble greetings, instead I said, Thank you, you have a good day to her.
The only point I went to Nepal was that I wanted to have a visa on my passport so that I could travel nepal on opt too. So homie, i was given a visa for 5 years to watch Lakers ruling the NBA.
Lets come in your case, it might be tough. I shared you all, so you will have pretty much idea about what they will ask you. May be it might not ask the way like to me, but normally you gotta prepare those.
Guess what, i went to pick up my passport on Monday, i was rejected as they told me that Visa Stamping machine was broken and come tomorrow.
Went next day, they told me same as the machine was still not fixed and they said they will call me to pick up when the machine is fixed.
Finally, the next day after 2 days, i got the tickets to see lakers parade.