₦airaland Forum

In my experience, there is no magic to US visas...

1. Have a clear idea why you want to school in the US. If it’s simply an immigration route, you’ll have problems answering simple questions at your interview.

2. Know how much it costs and how you are going to pay for it every step of the way. Aside from the interview, I have seen people come here and drop out after a year because they underestimated the cost of living and other expenses. this also eliminates having to scramble for SOAs last minute and the need to explain and explain.

3. Understand why YOU selected your school and program of choice. Too often I see people claiming they selected a school based on recommendation from alumni etc. in this age of the Internet, that is a poor reason.

4. Figure out how that program can benefit you after you’re done. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but it has to be coherent, sensible and concise.

Above all, ALWAYS be honest. It’s not holier than thou, it’s in your bible (for all those claiming gods favor), it benefits you and everyone else benefits. It really is that simple.

Akin4sh:
Mr Toibu woods, you need to take a chill pill. I think you just here to pick on people.

Your choice. I’m not concerned about you to be honest, I’m more concerned about you ruining other people’s chances.

Someone like you abused the dropbox... guess who is paying for it today? Please take a honesty pill.

InshaAllah:
. Exactly my point!The way people jump to conclusions on this thread is unethical,not everyone is an inherent liar,most don’t truly know somethings and incase we are getting it mixed up,thats the exact reason this thread is made,to ask questions and clarification not for some holier than thou to start labeling everyone!
P.S I know my father and my lovely father Knows me!

What is unethical is exploring the idea of dishonestly circumventing rules and procedure solely to your own benefit. It appears you have no idea what the term means.

I don’t think any rational human buys the over-worn idea that people are ignorant. There is no ignorance to willfully trying to bend the rules. You don’t need a billboard to tell you it is wrong to attempt to use another email account to get around not being able to obtain an interview date... and I’m sorry, I have zero patience for people like you who drone on about being “holier-than-thou”.

Why are you all dying to go to school in the US? Because it is an ordered society where people (allegedly holier than thous) follow rules.

Why can’t you go to a school in Nigeria? Because it is filled with people who think rules are meant for others.

Akin4sh:
I respect your opinion but please leave my marriage out of it. His reasons are well understood. Let’s stick to what your know and not my marriage. Thanks

You brought up your marriage, not me. You used it to justify cheating, not me. So it’s fair game.

Akin4sh:
I don’t understand lie and cheat how? There is no lie there. I am using my other email and all my details will still be the same. Just figured it’s an opportunity I have before my sponsor will change is mind. And I plan to finish my master before getting married or else my husband will not Alli me. So it’s sensible

The consulate does not allow those who have been recently denied a visa immediately set up another appointment for a reason... there are others behind you who have not been granted their first interview.

Using a different email address to set up another account so you can deceitfully circumvent this system is cheating... I understand as a Nigerian that is a foreign concept to you.

If your husband won’t let you achieve your goals simply because he married you then that’s slavery, not a marriage.

Akin4sh:
Wow...10 days.. I just did mine today expecting update so I can schedule a new date. Can I open another profile with a new email to get a new interview date?

And I’m sure you’ll be going to that second interview armed with “favor” and God’s “grace”, despite your willingness to lie and cheat?

emily111:
.


Do not discourage anyone who knows that maybe is luck and good things may come from there.

Please go ahead and let her do research on what kind of visa you need or for her to be less stressed let her involve immigration lawyer so they can help out properly from there.

You don’t seem to understand. Unlike Nigeria where rules don’t matter - only “god”, luck or “grace” do - there are rules on what you can do on a visa in the US. To work in the US, he will need an H1b visa. The visa requires you be employed in a job considered to be a specialty occupation. Working for an NGO set up by a friend would not qualify.

But hey I’m sure you can do anything by “prayer and fasting”.

tadetobi:
Pls gurus in the house a white female friend of mine is establishing an NGO programme and she wants to spons my travelling so i can come and work along with her as well live in the US. So pls what type of visa should i apply for.
Thanks

Don’t waste your time and money.

agbulagu:
Make una help me with this issue
I want to attend a conference in mid November and my interview date is mid October.
The issue be say I write for my ds160 say I be student and a researcher. Where they asked who's sponsoring the trip, I chose self, but my friend said I have a higher chance of I chose that someone else is sponsoring my trip.
Should I leave the sponsor as self or I should chose that someone else is sponsoring me. Truly I am d one sponsoring myself from side businesses I do

So basically your application is founded on outright lies?

uzmu:
Please the Guru In the house should pls help look into my proposed transcript.
NB : Have being Denied visa twice in January this year, and I want to give it a try again for the 3rd time, same Sch.i posted my 2 delayed visa here already.
Next interview is Monday 24th June, 2019.
This is my proposed transcript.
VO Good morning
Me Morning
VO pass your I-20 and oda Doc
Me I obliged.
VO where are you going to
Me I'm going to MUM at Fairfield, Iowa for my Graduate Deqree in comp SC with Specialization in Software Development and Data science.
VO How do you hear about this sch
Me I first hard of mum from a lectural friend of mine cos he did his PhD program from there and he also told me about how excellent their academic standard is, Because I was looking for a school that offers MSc in comp SC with specialization in Data science n Softwaredevelopment, these prompted my to do an intensive research using professional academic websites like America comp scientist association, MIT reviews, coded project, Github and Google. I filter my reviews and MUM came up.
How many schools did you applied to
Me 4 inclusive of MuM
VO Name them
Me: Lynn university, central Missouri university, California state university long Beach.
VO why did you choose MUM
Me I chooosed mum Basically cos of 3 Reason, 1,cos the MSc comp SC program is Research Based and it has a special track in Data science n software Development. 2,cos it has a faculty ratio of 15:1 which is good for learning, 3 cos of the curricular practical training (CPT) the program has which will enable me to integrate the knowledge I must have acquired.
VO Any standardize test.
Me Due to my working experience programming skill, and technical interview via Skype, the school said there is no need for any standardized test, and it's stated in my Admission letter, although I wrote ielts and I score 6.5
VO are you married
Me no
VO have you traveled abroad b4
Me no, I don't have a reason to other than my sch
VO where do you work
Me I work as a contract staff IT Specialist with Bleep company
VO what are your duties
Me I list them
VO why Major in this field
Me I studied comp SC in my undergraduate Deqree and I developed a penchant in programing while I was in sch this made me enroll for a 1year intensive program on Java, I want to specialize in SD n Data science cos it will give me an edge to advance my skill set and work with latest tools in my field with a practical knowledge as Data science is the fastest growing specialization in comp SC as there is tremendous need for a Data scientist in eventually all sector.
VO what will this Deqree do for you.
Me in other to survive in this competitive field of ours, Relevant skills n Technical expectize is needed, Having a Masters Deqree will give me an added advantage by enabling me to work with the latest tools, Technologies and diverse pple all over the world, cos the US is a Hub when it comes to IT.
This Deqree will enable me secure a better place in my current place of work and possibly with a higher pay
Due to the exposure and skills I will obtain this Deqree will enable me to compete in Multinational companies like Ericson, MTN, Google inters witch n Mainone.
VO what's your plan After Graduate
Me upon Graduation I intend to return to Nigeria and use the knowledge and skill set I must have gotten to turn around the financial status of my current place of work while I seek gainfull employment in Multinational companies n policy making sectors like Ericson n Ispon.
Can I see your statement of your sponsor
Me yes, gave it to him
VO congrats you can pick your passport in this circle location after 3 Days.
Thank you sir
Pls house help review this transcript, I don't have any financial award n the amount on my i-20 is $25k

This is not a serious school. You will be denied again.

ProjectKay:
Please, anyone with a few suggestions for a brother?
Na beg I dey beg.

Reads good. You certainly know your stuff. I would be more concise though especially the answer on why you chose the school. Other than that... good job!

Weperwema:
@Twoods The problem was getting the Nigerian passport reissued and it took months because they had no booklets and I am only wishing for date in August and not July. Do you still want to assist with the documents to attach to the appeal/request?Thanks

This is the link you should read if you intend to apply for an emergency appointment - http://www.ustraveldocs.com/ng/ng-niv-emergencyappointment.html

However, i don't think you'll qualify.

abike12:
If you had not generalized and claimed she abused her visa we won't be having this conversation. Her transcript has been critiqued and I gave her feedback as well and told her she should have been on her A game. Your first comment was not to help anyone but to accuse a total stranger, and that's not ok.

She spent 2 months on a vacation. The VO specifically pointed that out. You have no idea what he was looking at on his screen. Being on an A game is of no use if the VO isn’t convinced you’ve used your visas appropriately.

abike12:
Why are you telling me sorry? I'm so confused, is this like the thread troll or something? Should I even be replying?

For something that is allegedly not do or die, you appear to be very upset about it.

abike12:
Lol @ raw feelings. Please don't feel sorry for her, she will study in the right country for her. Multiple visits to the US does not make it her birthright to study here but I take exception to you claiming she committed fraud when my mum who came with her just renewed her B visa at a face to face interview so your point is....?

Did you see the travel dates they put on their visa application? No, but you assumed because...?

You were too hasty. I didn’t accuse your sister of fraud at all. I talked about the issue of ties to home country only.

If you got your f1 visa 20 years ago, your parents are probably well in their 60s or older. It’s far easier for them to get visas than a 17 year old.

Frankly I get the feeling you’re one of those from a wealthy family who have always had entry visas by Dropbox and treated overseas “summer vacations” (we don’t have summer in Nigeria) as a birthright. It must be a shock to realize the US immigration system is no respecter of persons. Good luck.

Justabama:
Hello.. Please av been a silent follower of this page... This is my first post and My interview was on June 4th and that was actually my third interview... The VO gave me the two white papers and another paper where he marked administrative processing... Am going for my msc in Applied statistics and had my Bsc in Applied Maths...

This is my transcript

Vo: good morning
Me: Morning sir

Vo: why this particular school
Me: well, asides from the fact that their maths program ranks among the top 25% among schools in the US, I chose UNCG cos of my research needs and interest

Vo: cuts in and said what u just said is perculiar to many R1 research university in the USA, but why this particular school
Me: during my third year at Federal University of Technology, Minna, professor John Doe visited my school for a maths symposium and I got to meet him and I have been following his various publications and have been corresponding with him since then, due to my interest in the methods of solving partial differential equations with improved algorithms.

Vo: so what will this degree do for you?.
Me: okay, my aunt heads the Human resource unit of the CBN and she's informed me of ongoing recruitment of young graduates with advance degree in Maths and Statistics to work in their Research and Development departments, also my uncle who is my sponsor is a data scientist and I have been working partime for him as a data analyst all along, and this degree will improve me and get me closer to my long term goal of being a successful data scientist.

Vo: good, so have you ever been out of the country before?
Me: I haven't got a reason to until now

Vo:how many schools did you apply to and name then
Me : four schools and I named them

Vo: how many admisison
Me: all the schools except So so and so University

Vo: did you write any standardised test
Me: yeah I wrote Gre. ( here I was praying he doesn't ask my Gre scores cos it was low, I actually got 291)

Vo: who's paying for your studies
Me: my uncle

Vo: do you have his bank statement
Me: yes I do

Vo: hand them over pls
Me: I did and kept praying as he briefly checked

Vo: is this all of it? ( cos his 1 year statemnt was just four pages though about 600m has gone in about 590 has gone out since the last one year, and he pays in sometimes 100m at once and sometimes 10m x 10.. In short the account gets huge deposit throughout the course of the year)

Vo: am going to approve your visa but I'll keep hold of your uncle's statement, if it turns out a fake statemnt, I'll ban you for life, do you still want me to continue?..
Me: sure, pls continue

Vo: hands the the two white papers and another paper where he marked administrative processing and told me to keep my i-20 cos I'll need it when I eventually get to the US

I simply walked away and has a mixed feeling... If I should be happy or I be scared...

Pls house, its been 2weeks and am still on AP, I don't know what's happening, the balance on the account is 8m and the deficit on my i20 is 7m, even now more funds have entered the account, am just scared of this AP, pls is anyone in the same shoe with me cos I feel alone, always refreshing the CEAC site every 10mins, pls help me read and tell me what I should expect... Thank you for your time

Be patient. The VO told you the visa is approved. Unless the SOA was fraudulent, you should be ok. Isn’t there an email or number you could call? I’d try that if I were you.

abike12:
Dude you need to chill she's 17 years old and has always had a valid US Visa through dropbox with my parents. Also her previous stays have ranged from 10 days to two months.

I shared her transcript to help and because I used that of others, not for you to be passing judgment on a minor. Don't bring your Nigerian bashing near me, you don't see me acting like it's a do or die affair so respect yourself.

What's not rocket science is reading before being hasty to make judgment. Summer break is a little under three months and on many occasions they've spent up to two months here before going to other countries AND were still able to renew their Visa.

The rules have since changed. Sorry.

Non immigrant visas are not meant for folks to spend lengthy summer breaks all the time.

abike12:
Dude you need to chill she's 17 years old and has always had a valid US Visa through dropbox with my parents. Also her previous stays have ranged from 10 days to two months.

I shared her transcript to help and because I used that of others, not for you to be passing judgment on a minor. Don't bring your Nigerian bashing near me, you don't see me acting like it's a do or die affair so respect yourself.

1. I didn’t judge. I simply shared an opinion on why your sister was likely denied a visa. That is the purpose of this thread. Others will learn from it.

2. Her being a minor has no bearing on whether she gets a visa or not.

3. the fact that she’s always had a visa through Dropbox has no bearing on whether she qualifies for a non-immigrant visa or not.

4. The misuse of the Dropbox is perhaps why it’s been suspended indefinitely for Nigerians alone. There are several examples on the childbirth thread of people who’ve always had visas via Dropbox who were denied on their next interview for very similar reasons to your sisters’.

I understand that feelings are raw and to be honest, I feel very sorry for her. But decisions like this are based on practical realities, not emotions.

Fxbol:
10th June,2019

VO: Why did you choose this school?
i: I chose GSU for three reasons
First, the School offer program on human rights and social work within International & Domestic contest
Second, the school have education exchange program that allow me to learn from top social agency
Third, I was awarded scholarship which cover Tuition for the program

VO: What would this program do for you?
i: It will enable me to take offer from top organization that provides aids/reliefs for IDP
VO: Did you apply to other schools?
i: Yes
VO: Mention them
i: OU & UNCG
VO: How do you intend to sponsor your program?
i: I was awarded scholarship that covers Tuition
VO: I can see some deficit here
i: Yes, other expenses are to be sorted by my uncle and from my personal savings
VO: Starring at the SOA
i: I quickly mentioned the name of my uncle
VO: you will need to provide Six months of SOA for all accounts, as one of the SOA was printed in March
i: I will do the needful
VO: I hope you know that you will be ban to enter US if you provide fake documents
i: Sure, I know
VO: issued yellow paper and asked re-submit 6 months( end in May) submit original SOA to DHL

THE ISSUES
I had deficit of $20k
Uncle account $ 20.2k
My account $1k as at May end, while i submitted account till June 9 which is around $7k

VISA REFUSED

I would like to change sponsor since the account may not
What are best ways to re-fire

Many thanks.

You obviously do not have the funds to sustain your stay in the US.

Your deficit is $20k, you’ve stated your uncle as your primary sponsor. His 6 month account is worth $20.2k. What you’ve said is that your uncle will give you everything in his account for your first year of school. So how will your uncle survive with his family?

You state that you’re the secondary sponsor. As of May, you had only $1k in your account, upped to $7k by June 9. That does not cover half the deficit of your first year. Since you won’t be working a full time job in the US, you technically can’t sponsor yourself at all.

It’s easy to see why you were denied.

abike12:
wow things have really changed since I got my F1 visa almost 20 years ago...

thank you so much to everyone that contributes on here. I used a lot of the information from this thread to prepare my sister for her interview. she has been visiting the US almost every year since she was a handheld baby. I will try to give as much of a transcript as possible to give back in my little way.

background: undergraduate, sponsored by parents who live in Nigeria. i20 deficit - $18,200, SOA belonging to our dad: around $40k for the past 6 months

greetings and passed VO her i20
VO: Why did you choose business administration?
A: she gave her reasons and said she will be focusing in Human Resources
VO: when last did you visit the US and for how long
A: last year and for two months
VO: Why did you stay for two months
A: for Christmas and to see sister (me) who had a baby
*tried to give documentation for birth of her niece and the VO pushed it back*
VO: what does she do
A: gave answer
VO: what company
A: forgot and hesitated
VO: what are your plans after graduation
A: to return to Nigeria and work for a few years before getting MBA
VO: unfortunately you don't qualify for the visa

To applicants:
If you have any immediate family member here, please remember all their basic info, where they work, how many kids, address, immigration status and how they got it, etc.

If you are planning to come and study and have all your money, please apply to schools in Canada as backup so these people don't delay your life.

If you have no travel history, fear not, because as you can see travel history doesn't equal visa.

He didn't collect any document from her apart from i20 and seemed to be hung up on the fact that she spent 2 months here on holiday when she was given a two year visa and has been to the US at least 15 times, as well as other countries. If they are discriminating against non-STEM degrees, well that's just hilarious. We won't be reapplying and will try the more peaceful, serene and happy Canada.

Good luck to all and thank you for sharing all your experiences.

The number 1 requirement for a US non-immigrant visa is that you have something in your country that will compel you to return after your visit to the US. There are a few issues with this transcript:

How long did your sister say she would spend in the US when she first got the visa? Too often Nigerians treat the B1/B2 visa as an entry permit to stay however long they wish. If your sister claimed she was going for a 2 month stay at her visa interview, she would have been denied. If she said 2 weeks, then stayed 2 months, that’s a big trust issue too.

The fact that your sister spends that much time in the US on a visit suggests she’s not doing anything serious in Nigeria that will compel her to return after her studies.

Sometimes these visa denials are not rocket science.

Spanishmilf:
You don't u understand me let me break it down for you
1. She petitioned for us last year November or petition was received December 10
2. She told me that before this year runs out we will go for interview
3. I saw about 5 comment here on NL that it usually takes 2years or 1years for uscis to complete minor case
4. Am scared because I didn't write any jamb and house is boring and depressing me like die
5. My question is, is still possible uscis can approve our petition this year?

I’m curious, how did your mom get to the US?

Spanishmilf:
don't let anyone decide your fate here please and oga twoods what are u saying bayii?

His fate is not tied to whether or not he visits the United States for a few days so let’s not get overly emotional.

He was previously denied a visa (he did not tell us why), he has no strong home ties and no serious job. He is only visiting to attend the wedding of a family member. If you were the VO, what do you think you would do?

Honeymix4u:
I really appreciate the effort of everyone in this platform for sharing their experience in order for others to prepare their self.I actually had an interview last year 24th of May but i was denied and why explaining the scenario to my uncle that has been in US for the past 40th years he promised to send me an IV that one of his daughter will be getting married this year July 20th wish he did.My challenge now is that I did not have a strong home tie and good job here in Nigeria.Anyone with similar case with the likely interview questions to be preparing for should please with due respect share with me.Thanks in anticipation!

Chances are you will be denied again.

ViceChief:
GUYS IS IT TRUE THAT HAVING A VALID B1/B2 VISA CAN BOOST ONE’S CHANCES OF GETTING A F-1 VISA?

Fake news.

zolargeo:
please, I'm in need of helper here, I was denied last year and I applied again this year, I had posted earlier to seek assistance from this forum on how I can perform better in the interview this time around, but the person that wanted To Help me requested for money. As much as I would have loved to do that, I have spent almost all my savings on the application... please I don't know if I can get this favour for free in this forum and I promise to appreciate the kind gesture afterwards. my interview is scheduled to be 1st July.
THANKS

If you can’t afford a few naira now, surely you cannot expect us to believe that you can afford the expenses that come with schooling in the US.

sharwama:
You are not paying anyone or buying data for us here in Nigeria, so please don't ask for a swift response next time
Please read my approved visa transcript and see where the VO asked about the sponsor's name on my I-20. Perhaps you haven't taken out time to READ your I-20.
It is not just a 3-paged document, it is a legal document and whatever is written on it, binds. Why do you think there's a column for your signature and that of your DSO?
If you want to change your sponsor, simply request a new I-20.
Don't allow the devil to use your visa chances to play candy crush
I wish you lots of wisdom.

The devil is not responsible for the lax attitude of Nigerians to accountability. Most don’t realize that both the I-20 and DS-160 forms are legally binding documents... how do you justify telling the school that you have one sponsor then walk to the visa interview claiming someone else is now sponsoring you and expect to be taken seriously?

I agree too. I think the virtual visa renewal was mainly confined to f1 visa holders. If you notice, their I-94 record has no defined end date, just D/S. For those visas with clear I-94 expiry dates, there is no work around.

SOJ2019:
Philosophy.

You’ll have to explain why you’re going from philosophy to criminal justice.

SOJ2019:
Pls I need help with my proposed transcript.

V.O: Why are you going to the US?
I: To pursue a masters degree in Criminal Justice/Safety Studies at Grand Valley State Uni.,Allendale,Michigan.

V.O: WHY THIS DEGREE?
I :
♡With respect to my career plan which is to be a crime analyst for the Anti-Robbery Department of the Nigeria police force,a master in Criminal justice or a closely security related discipline is a core requirement.
♡Considering that alot of field operatives would rely on the information I provide,this program would not only improve my mental understanding about crime but also equip me with virtually all the basic skills required to be a successful crime analyst for the Anti-Robbery Department of the Nigeria Police Force.

VO: HOW MANY SCHOOLS DID APPLY TO?
ME: 5 schools;Washington State Uni,Grand Valley State Uni,Northern Arizona State Uni,Uni of New Haven &Northeastern Uni.
VO: HOW MANY ADMIT & WHY GVSU?
ME:
♡3 admits, 1 pending & 1 reject.
My choice of institution was based on the availability of active or retired security personnel who are now lecturers. Fortunately for me,two of my professors for the fall semester were once police officers. Thus, the experiential knowledge gained would be highly influential as a crime analyst.
♡It has being my long standing opinion that GIS (Geographical information system) can be used to manage bank robbery. Thus, Prof. Cwick research on GIS and how it can be used to manage crime was a factor that influenced my choice for GVSU.
♡The course curriculum for this program and the timely responses were all major factors that influenced my decision to study @ GVSU
ME : Can I briefly say something?
♡ My admission to UNH came with a 30% scholarship but the deficit left when compared to what I have to pay @ GVSU is a bit high. This factor also influenced my decision to study @ GVSU.

VO: DID YOU WRITE ANY STANDARDIZED TEST
ME : No. While GRE was required for applicants whose GPA was below 3.0.,TOEFL was required only if the language instruction wasn't English.

VO:Who is sponsoring you??

ME: My grandfather.

VO: Why?

ME: My mum and I have lived with him since I was 6 and he has being responsible for my education since then. In addition,my mum is the only child.

Kindly help me critically dissect my proposed transcript.

What was your undergraduate degree in?

calculator123:
This thread had relative in your absence please don't come and cause wahala here.
People use those words to build up their faith and appreciate God. How is this your headache ngwanu?
We will appreciate it if you keep this you goddamn opinion to yourself.

James 3:10-11. I have to wonder what sort of “faith” you are building or what sort of “god” you’re appreciating when it’s so easy for you to curse and pound your fist anytime someone merely disagrees with you. Often all it takes is one post to expose the hypocrisy.

orimahspence:
It is glaringly self evident that organised atheism will bring more harm to mankind than organised religion. The more dangerous one is clad in garment of religion moderation. There's hardly an atheist that were s/he a believer wouldn't be dangerously fundamentalist. Always angry, always seeking out believers to curse out and attack unjustifiably, the hallmarks of the typical fanatic. Whatever is built on such vile never brings any good. And again, organised religion may have instigated some harm, but it is also true that every healthy human mind craves a tether beyond the mundane. For many, it is this quest to hinge the mind on something beyond self that constitutes their entire faith, what satisfies this in the absence of organised faith? Where in the whole of creation has a vacuum proven purposefully sustainable? It is OK to underscores the role ,influence /impact of a supreme being or even reject the his existence , but it is downright silly to insist that those who bow in unobtrusive worship, either through individualized subscription or via organised faith must quit because you somehow, by your superior brilliance know they bow to air.

I struggled to grasp what you’ve said. I’m not an atheist neither am I a religious moderate. The Christian experience is one that balances both joy and pain, laughter and tears. Jesus did not promise us mountains without valleys and a genie-in-the-bottle experience, which is all Nigerian mega Christianity is all about. It’s now a Christianity where Jesus is personally involved in granting visas but has no interest in helping Nigerians fix their country for the benefit of those too poor to seek exit visas. This “god” is indeed a strange one.

Passion2009:
Lol. I understand your point but it's not my first time of appearing before a visa officer. I had a B1/B2 visa for years and I made my comments based on my experience in the course of different interviews as well as my experience traveling to the United States. You cannot rule out God factor; some things are beyond human explanation.

Mind you, I do not have a full scholarship and my deficit is about $30,000 and no one requested to see any SOA from me.

You’ve had a b1/b2 visa for years. You already established credibility so there you go... the point of the interview is to make sure you’re a bonafide student and that you intend to leave the US after your studies. What’s there to ask you if you’ve shown you can be trusted with a non-immigrant visa?