H1B - F1: How do you play this game?

Got my I-20 this weekend..now wondering how to structure that letter....
Let me know if you find something....Cheers

And yeah that OPT extension thingy...it is not applicable to us MBAs..confirmed

I will go for COS, if the school allows to join while the application is pending with USCIS

Is there a premium processing for COS applications?

To the best of my knowledge..there is no such thing as a premium CoS.

Yes Iyer..Just found out from my lawyer...No premium processing for COS and current wait time for COS-to-F1 is 5 months at vermont...

OK I managed to create drafts of my own since I couldn't find samples. I've confirmed with the international office that the letters address all points necessary.

I thought I'll share this here since there will be some of us now and many in future that might need something like this.

Cheers.

Is the letter from the Employer compulsory?

The folks at the international office said it is, but I've heard that it really isn't.
you might want to check with the person filing your CoS first.

Spoke with the Attorney, letter from Employer is needed..

Do we need to go on CPT to do our internship. I know a bunch of us plan to go through the COS but I just heard from a friend about a rule regarding CPT. The rule states that you should have been on F1 status for 9 months or 1 academic year. So, if we apply for a COS sometime now, we will probably get the official COS done only by Oct/Nov. Most internships start in June, so it will be cutting it really close.

Well UM's site has this on their website:

To be eligible for CPT, you must:

Have been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis for one academic year (i.e. two full consecutive terms). If you are a graduate student and the program requires immediate participation, this requirement is waived.
Be in lawful F-1 status
Have U-M approved health insurance
Have a job offer
Not be enrolled in an intensive English language training program

while other schools have defined point 1- the one academic year requirement as 9 months of F1.

Anyone have any insight on this?

hmm interesting ...

we should check with a current student who took this route before ...

I am filing COS through my Attorney today

how are things dosa, arjun? have u guys started the process?

I have not- I will probably do so sometime in mid June.

I just arrived in India a couple of days back...Will be attending the interview at the chennai consulate early next week. Will let you know how things went....Based on all the visa interview feedback I have received from the Krannert fall'08 orkut community, its been smooth sailing for all the students so far....I have a full scholarship, so I hope that helps counter the fact that i have stayed in the US for quite some time....

And I sent in all required documentation early last week to the international office.
I'll be calling them to confirm that they received it and then wait...for around 2 weeks so that they get their receipt from USCIS. It is only then that I plan to tender my resgination.

Is the school filing the COS application?

All the best ........

Yes they are....I had to send in the USCIS check, SEVIS receipt etc....