L1 to F1 COS help

[greyharvest]

Hi,

      I was on the L1B and was terminated on Jul 21. I enrolled in an MS(Analytics) program to supplement my skills and maintain status. I was told that I had 60 days to change my status and apply i-539 to change my status from L1 to F1 and that I can stay in the US and attend school while the approval is pending. I also heard from another source that I cannot attend school or work on CPT (I have another job offer already) until the i-539 change of status is approved and that I need to apply for B2 as well while the i-539 is pending. (both sources are immigration lawyers)

1. Could someone clarify if I can actually go to school while the i-539 is pending?

2. How long is the approval time for L1-F1 change?

3. Is it recommended I stay and apply for i-539 change or go back to my home country and apply for a fresh F1 visa? what are the risks?

Totally lost here. Any help is appreciated.

TIA

[pontevecchio]

When does school start?

How is it possible to get admission so quickly?

Your school was wrong. Once your L1 status is lost, there is no grace period.