Navigating the F-1 Student Visa Process with Dr. Lowe

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November 23, 2021December 13, 2021 ~ drpaulloweadmissionsexpert

Coming to the U.S. to get a world class education is the primary goal of international students. This may be followed by work experience at a top U.S. firm. For many students, continued employment may develop into an immigration opportunity where they actually become U.S. citizens.

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International students who wish to study in the U.S. face two challenges that they have to surmount, (1) They have to worry about being accepted into desirable, credible and competitive programs at U.S. college and universities. (2) They have to convince the U.S. government to grant a F1 Student Visa in order to pursue their studies. According to the U.S. government (Department of Homeland Security SEVP (Student and Exchange Visitor Program), every student visa decision is a national security decision and that’s why there is an extensive screening process for each applicant. Over 30 percent of students who apply for F1 are rejected annually! A visa does not guarantee entry into the United States. A visa only allows a foreign citizen to travel to a U.S. port-of-entry (generally an airport) and request permission to enter the United States. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials at the port-of-entry have authority to permit or deny admission to the United States.

The Student Visa Process involves 3 parts:

Part I. Form I-20: Before applying for a student visa (F1), you have to be accepted at a college or university and have to receive Form I-20 from the U.S. school. This of course means that you have to understand nuances of the application process. Ivy League and highly selective colleges/universities and their corresponding graduate schools (and BS/MD programs) are extremely competitive.

Part II. Visa Application: This includes payment of the SEVIS (Student & Exchange Visitor Information System) fee and completion of the DS-160 online Visa Application Form.

Part III. Visa Interview: After the student has completed part I and II, the next step is scheduling an appointment for a visa interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate. You will be interviewed by a consular officer in English. And you must establish to the consular officer that you are qualified to be issued a student visa. By answering personal questions regarding your plans for studying in the U.S. The consular officer focuses on 4 factors during the interview: (1) Who are you, what are your ties what is your story? (2) What do you want to do and where do you want to study? Why do you study that major or subject? (3) How will you finance your education? How will you pay for the entire length of your study? (4) What do you want to do when you finish your study?

A visa interview lasts for only a few minutes so you need to be prepared! You don’t want to be denied a student visa because of mistakes in your interview.

Interviews are extremely important. Don’t walk into your visa interview unprepared. We offer mock interview sessions and counseling and feedback. As an admissions consultant and career expert, I have provided interview preparation for over 23 years and can help you with satisfactorily refining your visa interview. ACE your F-1 Student VISA Interview with Dr. Paul Lowe.

We interface with families, embassies, consulates and immigration law firms to help our clients successfully navigate the F-1 student visa process. Dr. Lowe attends conferences and symposia where he meets decision-makers from embassies of countries at the forefront of international student mobility.

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Dr. Paul Reginald Lowe, founder and managing director of Pinnacle Educational Center Admissions Advisors Group, provides comprehensive counseling advice, exclusively for admissions to top private schools; Ivy League and highly-selective colleges/universities; BS/MD programs; graduate and medical schools and top visual and performing arts programs. The admissions affiliate: Ivy League Admissions Advisors specializes in admissions to Ivy League and highly selective colleges, Dr. Lowe also specializes in helping students who have been wait-listed, deferred or rejected gain admission into their top-choice schools: College Application Rejected. and student who wish to transfer to another college: College Transfer Admissions Advisors.

Affiliates that help International students include: International Admissions Advisors and International Student Career Advisors.

International_Admissions_Advisors_Dr_Paul_Lowe_Educational_Consultant — Helping international students with college and boarding school admissions.

Helping international students with career planning and development.

Ivy League Ranking – Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education US College Rankings 2022

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November 11, 2021November 14, 2021 ~ drpaulloweadmissionsexpert

Harvard University is the highest-ranked Ivy League school in The Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education College Ranking 2022 (WSJ/THE College Rankings 2022), followed in order by Yale University, Brown University and Princeton University.

Here is a list of The Ivy League – Ranked

Harvard University (Dr. Lowe Visits Harvard) | (Harvard University Produces Wealthy Alumni) (1)
Yale University (4)
Brown University (6)
Princeton University (8)
Cornell University (11)
University of Pennsylvania (12)
Dartmouth College (13)
Columbia University (16)

The WSJ/THE College Rankings takes a different approach as compared to other rankings; it emphasizes the return on investment students see after they graduate. Schools that fare the best on this list have graduates who generally are satisfied with their educational experience and land relatively high-paying jobs that can help them pay down student loans.” These two factors are clearly why our clients retain us as admissions advisors who specialize in Ivy League admissions: Ivy League Admissions Advisors and seek the personalized superior admissions advice from Dr. Paul Lowe.

My team and I personally visit top colleges three times annually to understand each of their ever changing and unique admissions policies as well as the campus environment. As a result, we garner and develop our proprietary knowledge to help our clients achieve admissions success. (Why Dr. Paul Lowe Visits College Campuses).

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The Most Valuable College Majors in 2021

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November 1, 2021 ~ drpaulloweadmissionsexpert ~ Leave a comment

When parents begin to consider their children’s college options, they call us. They also want take into account college majors and postgraduation career options. They are, in essence, attempting to determine the “economic ROI” of a college degree.

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According to a recent study by Bankrate, based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey,:

The five most valuable college majors:

Computer Engineering – median income: $101,000
Aerospace Engineering: $100,000
Architectural Engineering: $90,000
Transportation Sciences & Technology: $86,000
Construction Services: $80,000

The five least valuable college majors:

Clinical Psychology: $49,000
Composition and Speech: $42,000
Drama and Theater Arts: $41,000
Miscellaneous Fine Arts: $38,000
Visual and Performing Arts: $36,600

As a part of postgraduation life, students should consider which majors will lead to the careers that they feel are most valuable to them. We advise that students should consider their majors as they develop a career plan.

Our affiliate International Student Career Advisors advises students in career development

U.S. News & World Report’s Top 10 Best Global Universities

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October 27, 2021October 27, 2021 ~ drpaulloweadmissionsexpert

U.S. News & World Report’s Best Global Universities ranking was just released!

Here are the Top Ten Best:

1. Harvard University

2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

3. Stanford University

4. University of California, Berkeley

5. University of Oxford

6. Columbia University

7. University of Washington, Seattle

8. University of Washington, Seattle

9. California Institute of Technology (tie)

9. Johns Hopkins University (tie)

As admissions advisor/independent educational consultant, it’s essential to visit colleges and universities to stay in the admissions game. I am proud to say that my team and I have helped our clients gain admissions to Harvard and other top global universities.

MIT_Dr_Paul_Lowe_Independent_Educational_Consultant_Admissions_Advisor — **Dr. Lowe visiting Massachusetts Institute of Technology**.

Dr_Paul_Lowe_at_Columbia_University_in _the_City_of_New_York — **Dr. Lowe visiting Columbia University**.

Dr. Mukesh K. Jain appointed Dean of Medicine and Biological Sciences at Brown University

October 23, 2021October 23, 2021 ~ drpaulloweadmissionsexpert ~ Leave a comment

As Brown alumni, Dr. Paul Lowe (Class of 1982) and Dr. Nadine Cartwright-Lowe (Class of 1982 and PLME, Class of 1985), are always pleased to share the positive changes in their alma mater: Brown University and Brown PLME.

Dr. Mukesh K. Jain will lead biomedical research and education at Brown University, and serve as Warren Alpert Medical School dean beginning in March. He is a physician-scientist, cardiovascular specialist and healthcare leader who is currently at University Hospitals and Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland.

Dr. Jain earned a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from the University of Buffalo and his M.D. from the University of Buffalo School of Medicine. He completed his residency in internal medicine at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and fellowships in research and cardiovascular disease at Harvard School of Public Health and Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

**Dr. Lowe visiting the Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University**

**Dr. Lowe visiting his alma mater in front of the Van Wickle Gates.**

Dr_Paul Lowe_Lowe_Bruno_Brown_University — **Dr. Lowe with Bruno at Brown University Maddock Alumni Center.**

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College Admissions: What’s Your WOW FACTOR?

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September 23, 2021September 29, 2021 ~ drpaulloweadmissionsexpert

Over the past 10 years, I have been talking in my webinars/seminars and writing in my blogs about the WOW factor and its importance in successful college admissions acceptance!

As college admissions becomes increasingly more competitive, admissions officers and committees look beyond high GPAs, high standardized test scores, ESEs (expensive summer experiences), tailored resumes and achievements and seemingly amazing, but generic essays. Dr. Lowe and his team continue to use the Wow Factor Admissions Concept with their clients.

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What’s your personal “Wow Factor” that will make you stand out and get accepted to the college of your choice? It’s a factor that your admissions officer will look for as well as discuss with the other admissions committee members as to the reason you should be accepted.

What is a personal “Wow Factor”? Your charisma, confidence, motivation, initial impression, appearance, communication skills, attitude, self-esteem, authenticity, presence, etiquette, manners, harmony, rhythm and vibe all contribute to your wow factor. Your wow factor is what makes you different! It’s your distinguishing trademark, your personal brand that must be placed in a positive light to a committee of six to ten diverse people to get accepted. It’s the kind of aura that is genuine, authentic and resonates. To truly identify your WOW factor, you need an outside perspective, a third party, that understands how admissions committees will review your character.

It takes Dr. Lowe and his team hours to weeks discover and months to cultivate a client’s WOW factor. After that, we develop strategies to convey that brand to Ivy League and highly selective colleges and BS/MD programs.

Our admissions strategies help applicants spotlight their unique characteristic(s) that make admissions officers say “Wow! We want this student!”

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College Applications 2021-2022 Will Be Up: Our Clients Will Be Ready

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September 20, 2021 ~ drpaulloweadmissionsexpert

College applications are increasing based on the Common Application registrations. College applications soared for the 2021-22 school year as thousands of students are taking advantage of the SAT test-optional policy.

As more and more students apply, it will be more competitive (especially for Ivy League and highly selective colleges and universities and BS/MD programs). In a USA Today article, “At selective schools “– where the acceptance rate is typically less than 50% – the spike was largest: Applications increased by an average of 21%.” Common App CEO Jenny Rickard said,

As a result, admissions officers/committees are assessing applicants by using a more holistic-team approach and assessing soft skills, often referred to as the “intangibles”. Students however bright: high GPA, SAT scores ACT scores (and in the case of BS/MD programs -research publications and hundreds of hours of shadowing) and polished resumes still lack the “je nais se quois” for acceptance to schools. Through our in-depth admissions strategies we develop and enhance our clients’ student profiles do that their “je nais se quois” is clearly conveyed in their WOW FACTOR.

By understanding our clients, conveying their characteristics and achievements onto their applications and into their essays and understanding college-specific admissions expectations (through research and professional and network relationships), our clients gain a competitive edge and have successful admissions outcomes – acceptances!

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Dr. Paul Lowe/BSMD Admissions Advisors: Brown PLME Results – 2021

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July 23, 2021July 26, 2021 ~ drpaulloweadmissionsexpert

Last year was one of the most competitive years in college admissions history. COVID-19 caused disruption and uncertainty in college admissions. Our admissions team increased our time with clients and brought in additional supportive staff so that they could stand out. Our efforts were well invested in our clients and we have achieved their desired results!

We are very pleased and happy to announce our final results for Program in Liberal Medical Education (PLME): 9 of our clients were accepted to Brown PLME.

According to Brown University, “From a pool of 3,516 applicants — a 39% increase from last year — 82 students were admitted to PLME, an eight-year program leading to both a bachelor’s degree and an M.D. from Brown’s Warren Alpert Medical School.”

What does this mean?

10% of the PLME class are our clients!
Our clients are accepted into: Brown University PLME: The Best of Both Worlds
Dr. Lowe and his team understand that successful admissions results involve more than just a 3-page resume packed with achievements, a high GPA and a high SAT score. It’s about BS/MD Admissions Knowledge.
Dr. Paul Lowe and his team provide unparalleled admissions advisory services!

93_percent_BS_MD_Admissions_Advisors_Acceptance_Rate_Dr_Paul_Lowe — **BS/MD Admissions Advisors: Acceptance Rate – 2021**

Dr. Paul Reginald Lowe is the managing director of Pinnacle Educational Center Admissions Advisors Group network. He and his team of admissions advisors, through the admissions affiliate, BS/MD Admissions Advisors, help high school students get accepted to BS/MD programs. Families who are interested in colleges and universities that have superior pre-med undergraduate programs retain our affiliate: Ivy League Admissions Advisors.

It’s Possible to Get into An Ivy League with a Low GPA

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June 16, 2021June 16, 2021 ~ drpaulloweadmissionsexpert

Each year we work with several clients who are admitted to Ivy League and BS/MD programs despite relatively low GPAs. Yes! You have read right…low GPAs. This year, was significant because it was during the COVID-19 pandemic and there was an increase in the number of applicants to Ivy League and BS/MD programs.

While the average high school student with a GPA weighted that are accepted to Ivy League schools is 4.10, there is no minimum requirement. Of course, it’s rare for a student with a GPA below 3.9 to be accepted, but not impossible!

Ivy League schools rely upon a holistic and committee-team approach when evaluating applications to determine whether a student is a good fit for their institution. This approach allows admissions officers to obtain an in-depth picture of a student’s potential, character, and personal attributes that they will bring to the campus community if admitted.

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So, how do our students with low GPAs get admitted to Ivies and BS/MD programs? This is where character, the right attitude and accomplishments beyond the ordinary and expected achievements come in. We work with the student to ensure that the correct picture of the student is apparent to the admissions officers.

Ultimately, elite colleges like the Ivies are interested in your potential. They want to know not only what you will contribute to the campus in terms of abilities and achievements, but also how you will mature and interact with others once you get there, and what positive impact you will eventually have on the world.

“Admissions is a competitive sport! Why gamble with uncertainty?” – Dr. Paul Lowe

“We provide our clients access to our specialized knowledge!” – Dr. Paul Lowe

“Parents hire us because they choose to pay an admissions expert who will help them avoid making mistakes.” – Dr. Paul Lowe

Dr. Paul Reginald Lowe, founder and managing director of Pinnacle Educational Center Admissions Advisors Group, provides comprehensive counseling advice, exclusively for admissions to top private schools; Ivy League and highly-selective colleges/universities; BS/MD programs; graduate and medical schools and top visual and performing arts programs. The admissions affiliate: Ivy League Admissions Advisors specializes in admissions to Ivy League and highly selective colleges, Dr. Lowe also specializes in helping students who have been wait-listed, deferred or rejected gain admission into their top-choice schools: College Application Rejected and student who wish to transfer to another college: College Transfer Admissions Advisors. For colleges and universities that recommend or require videos: College Admissions Video Productions.

College Admissions – Teacher Recommendations

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March 29, 2021March 29, 2021 ~ drpaulloweadmissionsexpert

Teacher recommendations are an important part of the college admissions process. Many colleges and universities require two teacher recommendations.

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Letters of recommendation should be from teachers who have taught you in core academic subjects in your junior or senior year. Ideally, they should be from different core subject areas and from teachers who know you well, like you, and are likely to write well. From my discussion with admissions officers, colleges are more interested in obtaining teacher recommendations from instructors that describe your abilities, performance and motivation of success in their classroom and your willingness to work hard as a learner. My discussion with several Ivy League admissions officers revealed that they use teacher recommendations to add a more subjective and personal perspective to their assessment of your qualifications, which can reveal aspects of your personality that don’t always come out on paper.

You should approach your teachers in the early spring of your junior year, or, if you are asking senior teacher, early in the fall of your senior year not only to to give them sufficient time to write the letter, but also because many teachers set limits on how many students they are able to accommodate.

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We developed customized steps, our Winning Recommendation Strategies (WRS) for each client so that they obtain excellent teacher recommendations from the right teachers! We are confident that our client’s teachers will write enthusiastically supportive letters of recommendations!

“Admissions is a competitive sport! Why gamble with uncertainty?” – Dr. Paul Lowe

“We provide our clients access to our specialized knowledge!” – Dr. Paul Lowe

“Parents hire us because they choose to pay an admissions expert who will help them avoid making mistakes.” – Dr. Paul Lowe

Dr. Paul Reginald Lowe, founder and managing director of Pinnacle Educational Center Admissions Advisors Group, provides comprehensive counseling advice, exclusively for admissions to top private schools; Ivy League and highly-selective colleges/universities; BS/MD programs; graduate and medical schools and top visual and performing arts programs. The admissions affiliate: Ivy League Admissions Advisors specializes in admissions to Ivy League and highly selective colleges, Dr. Lowe also specializes in helping students who have been wait-listed, deferred or rejected gain admission into their top-choice schools: College Application Rejected and student who wish to transfer to another college: College Transfer Admissions Advisors. For colleges and universities that recommend or require videos: College Admissions Video Productions.