Elpieda:

Concerning filing taxes, I think I need to break this down so every international student can learn and not make the same mistake most people are making.

1) If you come into the United States on an F-1 visa, you are a non-resident for tax purposes and you are to file the form 1040 NR-EZ. This is the form you are to file for the first five years of you being on a student visa including when you are on an OPT.  Obviously, filing a form 1040 NR-EZ does not get you much of a refund as a regular 1040 that residents file but please don't get tempted to file the wrong form (1040) because it usually has repercussions if you intend to become a permanent resident down the line. Please feel free to ask me more concerning taxes and I can help to the best of my ability. I have been doing this for a while,

2)Concerning softwares for filing taxes, Glacier is a good one and usually, most schools already purchase a certain number of licenses with the company to help their international students file their taxes. But if you are on an OPT, you can still purchase an individual license with the company for $39 I think. Personally I dont think you need to pay that much. There is a website called www.visataxes.com that has a wealth of info for internationals students and taxes. They aslo have a free 1040 NR-EZ software which you can use to prepare your taxes.

3) Even if you did not make any income in one particular year, you still need to go ahead and fill out Form 8843 and mail it to the IRS center in Austin so that your information can always be up to date in their database,

There is so much more information on filing taxes for international students, So feel free to ask questions,

Sagewood:

For those of you aspiring to study here in the USA, remember to plan accordingly.
I would recommend that you pursue a program in Healthcare/ medical sciences,
such as Pharmacy, Medicine, Physical Therapy, Nursing, Dentistry, Medical Assistant program,
Dental Hygiene, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Prosthetics & Orthotics and Radiological sciences/ Tech.
These areas currently enjoy high favorability in employment, and will continue for the next 10 years according to the
US Dept. of Labor. This is because of the aging population, and especially the baby-boomers.
No point in studying some worthless courses and you can't even find an employer to sponsor you.
Even if you marry an American and get your papers, finding a job may still be a problem.
This is my 2 cents contribution as a Nigerian American Doctor in the USA.

Sagewood:

^^^ Graduate studies in the areas you listed are OK, except Anatomy. If the graduate studies lead to a PhD, then you will have many
options. At Masters' level, your options will be limited.

Sagewood:

^^^ Graduate studies in the areas you listed are OK, except Anatomy. If the graduate studies lead to a PhD, then you will have many
options. At Masters' level, your options will be limited.

ojdollars:


@Sagewood , Thank you for the good piece of information you gave out on here. I just want to find out for someone who is aspiring to study Medicine, like how many years she is going to spend till her finals if studying in the States? And another cousin of mine who wants to pursue a career in either Health-care / medical sciences. Pharmacy or Nursing, the duration of the courses over there in the States? Your candid advise is awaited. Thank you

davidylan:

you have to note that your options to study medicine in the US as an international student are SEVERELY limited. Most medical schools are very clear; no admission possible if you do not hold a US passport or green card.

ojdollars:


Thanks David, inquiring for the younger generation whose aspiration is to school in the US in the various courses that I listed up there. I will get the information across to them. What about the others, do you have an idea of the % of their chances to gain admission to any good school in the US to study the courses listed?

overloved:

hello, nice job you guys are doing over here. i have learnt enough from these thread and many others by the comments and post so far. pls if you don't mind, these might be contrary to the topic right here but i hope i can get favorable answers. do anyone here know any cheap uni in the USA? I will be going for masters if i am done with my undergraduate studies here. let me start preparing. and also, the option for scholarship and chances of admission. i will be going for masters in any management related course. currently studying business administration in Finland.

regards

overloved:

hello, nice job you guys are doing over here. i have learnt enough from these thread and many others by the comments and post so far. pls if you don't mind, these might be contrary to the topic right here but i hope i can get favorable answers. do anyone here know any cheap uni in the USA? I will be going for masters if i am done with my undergraduate studies here. let me start preparing. and also, the option for scholarship and chances of admission. i will be going for masters in any management related course. currently studying business administration in Finland.

regards

davidylan:

A phd program in biomedical/biological sciences is practically free. Try that route, you can drop out after the masters with no obligations and then try the medical school route (preferably you would have married and gotten a green card lol).



Free with 'Stipend' as well.

davidylan:

A phd program in biomedical/biological sciences is practically free. Try that route, you can drop out after the masters with no obligations and then try the medical school route (preferably you would have married and gotten a green card lol).

Wrong thread. Wrong question.

Kakatazz:

What about people in the ICT field?I am looking at an MBA in IT and if you could confirm or advise on possible HEALTH care related short courses I could take (Na money Matter my guy  ) please I wont mind.Yeh also I am married with a kid so any hope for my family migrating seamlessly?I have got Aunties and Cousins in the US with green cards.Does the Law allow such relatives file for stay,benefits etc? Your candid advice is needed.
[/quote ]

ojdollars:


@Sagewood ,  Thank you for the good piece of information you gave out on here. I just want to find out for someone who is aspiring to study Medicine, like how many years she is going to spend till her finals if studying in the States? And another cousin of mine who wants to pursue a career in either Health-care / medical sciences. Pharmacy or Nursing, the duration of the courses over there in the States? Your candid advise is awaited. Thank you

davidylan:

you have to note that your options to study medicine in the US as an international student are SEVERELY limited. Most medical schools are very clear; no admission possible if you do not hold a US passport or green card.

ojdollars:


@Sagewood ,  Thank you for the good piece of information you gave out on here. I just want to find out for someone who is aspiring to study Medicine, like how many years she is going to spend till her finals if studying in the States? And another cousin of mine who wants to pursue a career in either Health-care / medical sciences. Pharmacy or Nursing, the duration of the courses over there in the States? Your candid advise is awaited. Thank you

Elaineh:

My fellow F1 visa holders,

Looking for a job in this US where we dey, iss not beans o! Am currently a graduate student with a May 2012 graduate date. I'm seriously looking for a job right now because I don't feel like returning to Naija with its Boko Haram, corruption and other home-grown disasters. I'm looking for a job everywhere - online job boards, alumni networks and milking my few connections but nothing dey happen as of yet. I am facing a huge dilemna with regards to the dreaded "sponsorship" question." Will you now or in the future require H1 visa sponsorship"? Here are my arguments for and against full and honest disclosure:

Lie and say that I do not need sponsorship. Why?:
- If I tell a company that I do require H1 visa sponsorship, chances are that the company's online application system will detect that and trash my resume/application before any human being even gets to see it.
- Even if a human being gets to review my resume, if they see that I require sponsorship, they will not even give me a chance, in spite of my work experience and qualifications.

Be honest. Why?
- When the time comes for me to receive a job offer, I might be asked to show proof of work authorization. When the employer sees that I am on OPT, they will put two and two together. They might wonder why I was deceptive in the first place when asked if I would require sponsorship
- If I am hired despite my need for sponsorship, it will save me headache when the time comes for me to ask if the company is willing to put in an H1 petition so that I can continue to work at the company.


All those who are going through this process or have gone through it and somehow managed to get a job, please weigh in with advice and share your experiences!
Thenx

Elaineh:

mba,

Elaineh:

My fellow F1 visa holders,

Looking for a job in this US where we dey, iss not beans o! Am currently a graduate student with a May 2012 graduate date. I'm seriously looking for a job right now because I don't feel like returning to Naija with its Boko Haram, corruption and other home-grown disasters. I'm looking for a job everywhere - online job boards, alumni networks and milking my few connections but nothing dey happen as of yet. I am facing a huge dilemna with regards to the dreaded "sponsorship" question." Will you now or in the future require H1 visa sponsorship"? Here are my arguments for and against full and honest disclosure:

Lie and say that I do not need sponsorship. Why?:
- If I tell a company that I do require H1 visa sponsorship, chances are that the company's online application system will detect that and trash my resume/application before any human being even gets to see it.
- Even if a human being gets to review my resume, if they see that I require sponsorship, they will not even give me a chance, in spite of my work experience and qualifications.

Be honest. Why?
- When the time comes for me to receive a job offer, I might be asked to show proof of work authorization. When the employer sees that I am on OPT, they will put two and two together. They might wonder why I was deceptive in the first place when asked if I would require sponsorship
- If I am hired despite my need for sponsorship, it will save me headache when the time comes for me to ask if the company is willing to put in an H1 petition so that I can continue to work at the company.


All those who are going through this process or have gone through it and somehow managed to get a job, please weigh in with advice and share your experiences!
Thenx

Elaineh:

My fellow F1 visa holders,

Looking for a job in this US where we dey, iss not beans o! Am currently a graduate student with a May 2012 graduate date. I'm seriously looking for a job right now because I don't feel like returning to Naija with its Boko Haram, corruption and other home-grown disasters. I'm looking for a job everywhere - online job boards, alumni networks and milking my few connections but nothing dey happen as of yet. I am facing a huge dilemna with regards to the dreaded "sponsorship" question." Will you now or in the future require H1 visa sponsorship"? Here are my arguments for and against full and honest disclosure:

Lie and say that I do not need sponsorship. Why?:
- If I tell a company that I do require H1 visa sponsorship, chances are that the company's online application system will detect that and trash my resume/application before any human being even gets to see it.
- Even if a human being gets to review my resume, if they see that I require sponsorship, they will not even give me a chance, in spite of my work experience and qualifications.

Be honest. Why?
- When the time comes for me to receive a job offer, I might be asked to show proof of work authorization. When the employer sees that I am on OPT, they will put two and two together. They might wonder why I was deceptive in the first place when asked if I would require sponsorship
- If I am hired despite my need for sponsorship, it will save me headache when the time comes for me to ask if the company is willing to put in an H1 petition so that I can continue to work at the company.


All those who are going through this process or have gone through it and somehow managed to get a job, please weigh in with advice and share your experiences!
Thenx

kidUrbane:

@sagewood,
Thanks for your Info, what do you think about becoming an RD(Registered Dietitian) in the U.S.whats the employment prospect.I'm currently pursuing a Nutrition and Dietetics degree here in Nigeria and I intend becoming an RD in the U.S.