International student: Can i apply for student visa in the US instead of going back to my home country?

Question

Hi, Im a teenager and im accepted to Fordham and Pace with several scholarships for international student (still undecided where to go)

I plan to attend these schools so I will reenter the US and i am OUT OF STATUS (not under my control im still a teenager but whole family works and are legal)

i was wondering if I can apply for a student visa in the US (international student) without going back to my country.

im graduating in less than two months and i wasa just wondering if i can apply in the US embassy or my countrys consulate without going back?

can i schedule the interview ahead of time (call the embassy abroad so when i arrive to my country I have the appointment set)?

are there any documents that can be filled in ahead of time (maybe there are online applications that I can fill in right now so I wont have to do it in the embassy, so the process is faster)?

HOW LONG is the whole process? 3 weeks? im a teen so i dont think itll take long maybe?

Answer 1

While it is possible to apply for a change of status from certain non-immigrant visas to a student visa, you will have to apply for a student visa outside the US (not necessarily your home country, but that is preferable) because you are no longer in status.  

Yes, you may schedule the interview in advance through the appropriate embassy website, and yes, you may fill the application out ahead of time (DS-156).  You should already have your approved I-20 in hand.  The process can take a week, or many months, depending on your particular circumstances (being a teenager is not, in itself, a factor).

Answer 2

To get a student visa, you must first apply to a university and be accepted and have documentation.  Takes about 3 to 4 months to get a tudent visa.  You must apply at the embassy in your HOME country.  You may go to the site below for application info...you fill it our BEFORE going to the embassy and call for an appointment.