Originally Posted by sunflwrgrl13

I think she's trying to say that she won't leave the US until she's completed her PhD. There are other PhD programs outside the US though, if she really wants to be with the boyfriend.

Originally Posted by sunflwrgrl13

I think to get the Fellowships for a grad program, the prospective student has to be exceptional gifted, and they will have to interview with professors and basically win it (just like a scholarship). IIRC, an F1 requires him to be accepted at the university before he can apply for the visa. But acceptance at the uni does not guarantee an F1 will be given to him at the consulate.

You have to do what works for you. However, there are some advantages if you pursue the K1. For one, he can work wherever he wants, and for however many hours he wants, without restriction. He would most likely pay tuition based upon being an out-of-state resident, instead of International student because he would be considered living in OH with you. Out-of-state is typically much cheaper than International. Once he gains his Permanent Residence based on marriage to you, he immediately becomes eligible for Federal Financial Aid and all sorts of scholarships, grants etc that are only open to PRs and citizens.

FWIW, I met my hubby when I was 24, and went overseas to study for a semester. We, too, looked into the F1 so that we wouldn't have to jump into marriage to be together. We wanted a 'getting to know each other better' stage. Ultimately, it was going to prove too costly for a F1, and we took the plunge into getting married. Six years later, we have been married for 4 years and he's getting ready to take the oath of citizenship tomorrow.

What worked for us may not work for you, so good luck.

Originally Posted by mplimasol

the thing is he was a graphic design major (or whatever the equivalent is over there) when he went to university and is wanting to do something in english/scriptwriting. i don't really know how those kinds of things are awarded, as far as a fellowship is concerned. having been in engineering and economics, i know that the ones in those particular programs are based upon things like GPA, coursework, research, etc. so i think i will have to talk to the english department directly about that.

that's what i presumed - he would need to get accepted to the college before applying for the F-1, and i read as well that, yes, it's no guarantee.

the latter part sounds plausible, much to my dismay. i didn't even consider the PR status after marriage on a K-1 visa.

i know that my college has a sister university in london that i might, assuming i do well, be able to get into for either my master's or my ph.d, but that is still a ways off, and either way it doesn't solve the visa program - i would have to get the visa instead, and then what to do when my education is finished.

Originally Posted by sunflwrgrl13

I don't think getting the visa to study in the UK is as difficult as getting one for the US, especially if you have an existing program to go through. I used a Study Abroad program to study in Glasgow, and I never even had to fill out the visa paperwork. IIRC, the program advisors filled it all out, and I was sent a letter that I then used upon entry to the UK, which stated I was attending school there. But your tuition rates will much higher than what you are paying here I imagine. One semester at my uni here in the US was about $1800, over there it was $7500 including my dorm. Keep in mind, that was in 2002. For a London univ. it could be much higher. There are great advantages to studying overseas, so I would highly recommend it, despite the costs.

It's nice to meet a fellow woman engineer! I still don't meet that many of us after being in the field for 5+ years.