COS from L-2 to F-1, turned 21

[User3456]

 

Timeline of events:

• arrived in US on L-2, started undergraduate study at Rutgers in Fall 2016 semester
• COS applied, case received in Aug 2017
• Turned 21 in Jan 2018
• USCIS new COS to F-1 guidance released in Feb 2018: https://www.uscis.gov/working-united-states/students-and-exchange-visitors/students-and-employment/changing-nonimmigrant-f-or-m-student-status
• Murthy: https://www.murthy.com/2018/03/15/uscis-expands-new-policy-for-nonimmigrants-changing-status-to-f-1/
• Update from university’s international advisor June 2018: if I’m 21, I should expect automatic denial based on new policy, other students in similar situation also have had denials.

 

Requesting advice on my situation regarding:

1. What are my chances of denial as I’m 21?
2. If denial expectations are high, would it be advisable to still wait for decision from USCIS (even with chances of decision arrival in middle of fall 2018 studies)?
3. Or should I leave the country in the summer before university session starts and get visa stamped outside?

I'm not considering the option of B visa filing (with start date backdated to day of L-2 expiration) or any bridge the gap filing atm.

Any advice is much appreciated. Thanks.