NEU Aspirant Denied F-1 Visa After Confusing Interview Question: ‘What if this professor…’

A Reddit post from a student visa applicant in New Delhi has gone viral in the Indian student community after the applicant shared their experience of being denied an F-1 visa during their first attempt. The incident occurred on June 13, 2025, at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, where the student was seeking a visa to pursue an MS in biotechnology at Northeastern University (NEU).

According to the post, the interview at counter 16 started off with typical questions, such as how the student found out about NEU. The applicant explained that the university had been recommended by one of their undergraduate professors and that they were especially interested in NEU’s cancer immunotherapy research.

However, the interview took an unexpected turn when the visa officer asked, “What if this professor left the university?” The applicant was initially confused and asked for clarification. They first responded that the professor was still teaching at NEU, but the officer dismissed that answer as irrelevant. The student then clarified that their interest in the program extended beyond any single professor and highlighted their enthusiasm for courses in immunology, stem cell regeneration, and nanomedicine.

Despite this clarification, the visa officer returned the applicant’s passport and stated that they were ineligible for a visa, concluding the interview after asking how many other universities the applicant had applied to.

In a follow-up comment on the post, the student revealed that no personal or family financial savings were listed in the I-20 or DS-160 forms. The only funding shown was through an education loan, which they believe may have negatively impacted their application.

With no visa refusal appointment slots currently available in India, the student is now considering reapplying as a third-country national—a process where applicants attempt their visa interview in a different country.

The post has sparked widespread discussion online, with many students sharing similar experiences and offering advice. Common tips included preparing better for open-ended questions, showing stronger personal financial backing, and responding with more confidence and precision during interviews.

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