A Delhi-based student’s F-1 visa rejection has gone viral online — not because of missing documents or inadequate finances, but due to one seemingly simple mistake during his U.S. Embassy interview: an underwhelming answer to the common question, “Why this university?”
The student had secured admission to a Master’s in Finance program at CUNY Baruch College in New York. With his I-20 in hand, a loan of $58,500, matching savings, and a strong academic background, everything appeared to be in order.
But according to a post he shared on Reddit, the interview took an unexpected turn when the visa officer asked why he chose Baruch.
His response: “I found Baruch while searching for colleges which accept 3-year undergraduate degrees in the US” and “read a lot of good things about this college on platforms like LinkedIn.”
That was it. The interview ended — and with it, his chance to study in the U.S.
Confused and disappointed, the student asked Reddit: “Can someone please help me know why my visa got rejected? I will be grateful if anyone can provide any insights. And is there any point in reapplying?”
The responses were swift and blunt.
“Your answer doesn't show commitment,” one user wrote. “It feels like you Googled for 10 minutes and picked a school at random.”
Another added, “It sounds like you decided to go to the U.S. first, and only then started looking for colleges. Visa officers want to hear that your academic goals led you to a specific university, not the other way around.”
Others suggested that his explanation of financial planning may have added to the visa officer’s doubts.
“I thought it was his answer to the finance question that sank him,” one commenter said.
Some shared advice for future applicants: always begin financial discussions by referencing parental or family support, then mention loans. “They assume you plan to work in the U.S. to repay the loan, which can raise red flags,” another user warned.
While the student still hopes to reapply, the incident is now serving as a cautionary tale for others: in visa interviews, even one poorly framed answer can derail your dream.
