After Admissions Results: Choosing an Offer / F-1 Visa / Complete Pre-Departure Guide (2026 Consultant Field Guide)
Published on March 16, 2026
RD results are released from 3/15-4/1, and National Decision Day is 5/1, giving you only 4-6 weeks to make one of the biggest decisions of your life. Drawing on 15 years of field experience, this article breaks down the decision framework for choosing an offer, the F-1 visa, I-20, and pre-departure preparation.
After Admissions Results: Choosing an Offer / F-1 Visa / Complete Pre-Departure Guide
Published on May 14, 2026
Every year on April 1, the most anxious message I receive from parents sounds like this: "Teacher, my daughter got into Yale, Brown, Cornell, and UCB at the same time. Which one should she choose? They all cost USD $90K!"
My answer is always: "First, take a deep breath. This is a good problem, not a panic problem. In April, you have 30 days to make this decision. We will rank 5 criteria together and build a decision matrix."
Parents usually get even more anxious: "What about the visa? When should we start?"
The answer is: After accepting an offer on 5/1, get the I-20 immediately, book the visa interview before the end of May, and fly to the U.S. between June and August. This 4-6 month rhythm is your project checklist "from admission to boarding the plane." Drawing on my 15 years of field experience, this article breaks down every milestone in this period.
1. Admissions Results Timeline
Round
Result Release Date
ED / REA / EA Round 1
12/15
ED2
2/15
RD (most schools)
3/15-4/1
UC (most campuses)
After Admissions Results: Choosing an Offer / F-1 Visa / Complete Pre-Departure Guide (2026 Consultant Field Guide) | Study Abroad Blog | Dr.G. Academy
3/1-3/30
UT-Austin
From 2/15 onward
Public universities (rolling)
From November onward
5/1 National College Decision Day: the final day to submit an enrollment deposit to all colleges.
2. There Are 4 Possible Results
Result
Meaning
Next Step
Admit
Accepted
Evaluate + accept an offer before 4/30
Reject
Denied
Remove from your school list
Defer to RD
ED/EA pool → RD pool
Submit an Update Letter
Waitlist
Placed on the waitlist
Write a Letter of Continued Interest (LOCI)
3. The 5 Major Criteria for Choosing an Offer
When you have 3-5 offers, how should you choose? These are the 5 criteria I give Dr. G. students:
3.1 Criteria 1: Affordability (40% Weight)
Item
Details
Cost of Attendance (COA)
Tuition + housing + miscellaneous expenses, published by each school
Financial Aid Package
Need-Based aid amount
Net Cost
COA - Aid = what you actually pay
Total 4-year cost
Net Cost × 4
For Taiwanese families:
4 years at USD $200K (NTD 6.6 million) = pressure for middle-class families
4 years at USD $50K = public university + sufficient aid = manageable for middle-class families
3.2 Criteria 2: Program Strength (25% Weight)
Do not look only at overall rankings. Look at the ranking and resources of your target major at that school:
Major
What to Look At
CS
USNews CS ranking, faculty, recent grads going to FAANG
Assign weights to the 5 criteria and score each from 0-10:
Item
Weight
Yale
Brown
Cornell
UCB
Tuition
40%
6
7
7
9
Program
25%
8
7
8
9
Location
15%
8
8
7
9
Culture
15%
8
9
7
7
Career
5%
9
8
8
9
Weighted Total
100%
7.25
7.5
7.4
8.45
Conclusion: based on this student's value ranking, UCB is the most rational choice.
But a decision matrix is only a tool. The final decision still comes down to the school your heart will stay with.
5. How Should You Handle a Waitlist?
For waitlisted students, 90% will not eventually get admitted, but there is still a 10% chance. How can you improve your odds?
5.1 Write a Letter of Continued Interest (LOCI) Immediately
LOCI template:
unknown node
Key points:
No longer than 1 page
Mention 2-3 concrete new achievements since submitting the application
Clearly state that the school is your first choice (schools care about yield protection)
5.2 Waitlist Results Usually Come Out in May-June
Between 5/1 and 6/30, schools will fill spots from the waitlist. During this period, you must first accept an offer from a backup school. If needed, you can withdraw that deposit in June.
6. The Process for Accepting an Offer on 5/1
6.1 Steps to Accept an Offer
Log in to the school's admitted students portal
Check "I accept"
Pay the enrollment deposit (USD $200-1000, non-refundable)
Fill in basic information (housing preference, course preference, etc.)
Withdraw all other offers (through each school's portal)
6.2 Do I Have to Accept Only 1 School?
In principle: yes. Most schools' deposit terms state that you may deposit at only 1 school. Depositing at 2 schools at the same time = violating the terms = both schools may withdraw their offers.
Exception: during the waitlist period, you may temporarily deposit at 1 backup school, then swap if you receive a waitlist offer.
7. F-1 Visa Process: Start in May
Start the visa process immediately after accepting an offer:
7.1 Step 1: Get the I-20
The I-20 is the "proof of student status" issued by the school. Schools send it out gradually from May to August.
Early May: the school issues the I-20 (electronic version + physical copy mailed to Taiwan)
Check the I-20: make sure your name, date of birth, school name, major, program start/end dates, and tuition are all correct
Report mistakes immediately: it takes 1-2 weeks for the school to reissue an I-20
7.2 Step 2: Pay the SEVIS Fee
SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) Fee = USD $350
Pay online: https://www.fmjfee.com/
Print the receipt (required for the visa interview)
Print the confirmation page (required for the visa interview)
7.4 Step 4: Pay the Visa Application Fee
USD $185 (latest amount in 2026)
Pay by credit card and print the receipt online
7.5 Step 5: Schedule the Visa Interview
Process
Details
Appointment system
https://ais.usvisa-info.com/zh-tw/niv
Location
American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), Taipei Office
Appointment timing
Book in May, or you may not find an available slot after July
Wait time
2-4 weeks during peak season
7.6 Step 6: Visa Interview Day
What to Bring
Details
Passport
Valid for at least 6 months
DS-160 confirmation page
Printed copy
SEVIS Fee receipt
Printed copy
Visa application fee receipt
Printed copy
I-20
Sent by the school
School offer letter
Copy
Proof of funds
6 months of USD bank deposits + amount matching the COA on the I-20
Parents' employment certificates
Chinese and English
Parents' annual income proof
English translation of tax return
School transcript / standardized test scores
Not always required, but prepare them as backup
One 5x5 cm front-facing photo with white background
Passport specifications
7.7 Step 7: Interview Process
Wait 1-3 hours
Receive a queue number
Enter an interview booth and speak with the CO (Consular Officer)
5-15 minute conversation
Most questions are in English, but some students who are not fluent in English may use Mandarin
Typical questions:
Why this school?
Why this major?
How are you paying for school?
Will you return to Taiwan after graduation?
Warning: answering the last question poorly is the biggest visa risk. The CO wants to confirm that you do not have unlawful immigration intent. Answer: "I will return to Taiwan / I have strong ties in Taiwan."
7.8 Step 8: Receive the Visa Stamp
Result
Meaning
Approved
The CO keeps your passport, which is mailed back in about 1-2 weeks (with the visa stamp)
221(g) Refusal
Additional documents required; the case is reviewed again after submission
Refusal
Visa denied. You may apply again (different timing / different CO)
The F-1 visa approval rate for Taiwanese students is about 95%, but do not take it lightly.
8. Taiwan → U.S. Pre-Departure Preparation: 6 Major Categories
8.1 Flight Tickets
Note
Details
When to book flights
May-June
Budget
NTD 30,000-45,000 (one-way / economy class)
Direct flight vs transfer
Direct is faster at 13 hr / transfer is cheaper but about 18 hr
Luggage
Economy class: 2 pieces × 23 kg + 1 carry-on
Strollers / instruments
Declare in advance
8.2 Housing
On-campus dormitory: deposit is usually required when accepting the offer in May; room assignment happens in June
Off-campus apartment: view apartments in June-July (Zoom tours are possible)
Temporary Airbnb: 1-week buffer after arrival
8.3 Bank Account
Step
Details
Open an account with Taiwan passport + I-20 + school address
First week after arrival
Recommended banks
Chase / Bank of America (many branches) / Capital One (online)
Credit cards (no history)
Discover It Student / Capital One Journey
Cash to bring from Taiwan
USD $500-1000
International transfers
Wise / Western Union are cheaper than banks
8.4 Mobile Phone
Plan
Details
Taiwan number roaming
Monthly fee NTD 3-5K, expensive but keeps your Taiwan number
U.S. prepaid SIM
T-Mobile / Mint / Tello monthly fee USD $20-30
Recommendation: buy a U.S. SIM immediately after arrival + keep your Taiwan SIM
8.5 Health Insurance
School health insurance is mandatory: usually USD $1,500-3,000 per semester
Visit the campus clinic for a physical exam within 1 week after arrival
Bring English vaccination records (MMR, TDap, Meningococcal, etc.)
Laptop, phone, adapter, power bank, voltage converter
Clothing
Four-season clothing (New York / Boston require a down coat)
Personal items
1 month's medication, contact lenses, 2 pairs of glasses
Food
Some familiar Taiwanese flavors (tea, seasonings, instant noodles)
Stationery
1-2 Chinese books (for emotional grounding)
9. First 30 Days After Arrival: Administrative Checklist
Time
Task
Day 1
Arrival + immigration entry (show I-20 + visa)
Day 2-3
International student check-in at school
Week 1
Open a bank account, buy a SIM, get a library card
Week 1
Visit the campus clinic for a physical exam
Week 2
School orientation begins
Week 2
Apply for a Social Security Number (if you have an on-campus job)
Week 3
Complete course registration
Week 4
Join 1-2 student clubs
10. Tuition Payment
10.1 Tuition Payment Methods
Method
Details
Flywire / TransferMate (international payment services)
School official portal, TWD → USD, arrives in 1-3 days
Wire Transfer
Transfer directly from a Taiwanese bank to the school's account
Credit card
Accepted by most schools but carries a 2-3% processing fee
Large transfer limits
Taiwanese bank transfers over USD $50K require advance reporting
10.2 Tuition Payment Timeline
Time
Action
June-July
School issues the Tuition Bill (including tuition + housing + miscellaneous expenses)
Early August
First-semester tuition must be paid before registration
January
Second-semester tuition
11. Parents' Role: Let Go While Holding the Line
Parents' role during these 4-6 months:
11.1 What You Should Do
Help book flights, arrange housing, and plan the first week of life after arrival in the U.S.
Provide proof of funds required for the visa
Pay first-year tuition (including helping with bank transfers)
Accompany the student to campus during the first week (if parents are able to go)
11.2 What You Should Not Do
Do not call every day asking, "How was class? How was your meal?"
Do not write emails to professors / Counselors on behalf of your child
Do not directly intervene in your child's roommate conflicts
Do not force your child to call daily
The truth: the first year is an "independence training camp." When parents let go, students can truly grow up.
12. Conclusion: 4 Months from Offer to Airplane
Over the past 15 years, I have seen too many students get lost during the "transition period" from May to August: anxiety, impulsive choices, avoidable mistakes. But these 4 months must be completed step by step. There is no shortcut.
My final reminder to Dr. G. students:
In April, make the decision using both logic (decision matrix) and feeling (the school your heart will stay with). Starting in May, move quickly and thoroughly through the visa process. In June-July, prepare luggage completely and with backup plans. In August, fly to the U.S. → you officially enter your next chapter.
Applying to U.S. colleges is a 4-year project: planning from 8th grade, applying in 12th grade, accepting an offer in May, and flying to the U.S. in August. No step can be skipped.
After completing these 4 months, you are already a global citizen.
