URGENT OPT ISSUE

[directshoot]

I'm a master student of UNC Charlotte. I have a case needing consultation.

I planned to graduate last August, and applied post-completion OPT. However, one of my courses didn't meet the GPA requirement so I have to postpone my graduation. After I knew that, I contacted ISSO for guidance. They said they would cancel the OPT for me. Therefore, I sent them the reference number of my application to the USCIS. It was September. After a week, they told me that the EAD card had been issued and asked me to send them the card after I got it. I trusted them so much and didn't expect the cancellation was very hard.

It was until last Christmas Day when I received my card. The USCIS delayed it for more than 3 months. I immediately sent the copy of the card to ISSO. Then the long waiting started. They submitted the cancellation request to USCIS for twice already and were all rejected. This week they did it for the third time but told me today that they didn't expect the result will be any difference.

I'm very worried about my situation right now. If OPT can't be cancelled, it will be effective since last December and I need to find a job before late March. Could you tell me what I should do about it?

[t75]

Find a job or go home

[t75]

BTW, The problem was of your own making. Failure to study sufficiently to obtain needed grade was a poor decision on your part/

[directshoot]

You are not nice at all. Why is it my own fault? I've told the ISSO immediately after I know I can't graduate. And I have one year to complete the course. It's my right to postpone graduation time.

[JoeF]

It's my right to postpone graduation time.

Sure, just as it is USCIS's right to not cancel the OPT.

You found out that your action (or lack of action, i.e., lack of studying) has consequences.

[directshoot]

No. I just trust the international student office too much. I didn't delay anything. I took action right after I knew I couldn't graduate and contacted the ISSO. But they just don't want to do anything for me.

Why do you think I'm lack of studying? I just tried to graduate ASAP. I don't want to postpone at all. But the professor didn't give me an A.

[rahul412]

You are not nice at all. Why is it my own fault? I've told the ISSO immediately after I know I can't graduate. And I have one year to complete the course. It's my right to postpone graduation time.

Dude, don't waste your time. Just find a job ASAP.

[Attorney_25]

I suggest retaining a qualified attorney to assist you with this issue. Not only does it affect your current status, it also affects your ability to use OPT work authorization after you finally do graduate.

[directshoot]

Yes. I'm contacting lawyers now.

[JoeF]

But the professor didn't give me an A.

And there is very likely a reason for it... An A requires that you get As in your homework and in the exams...

I was a TA for a while, I know how people try to do anything to claim that they "deserve" an A... I've seen quite a bunch of excuses...

The simple thing is, if you had done your homework and exams right, you would have gotten an A.

[directshoot]

I am doing everything to get an A. The thing is, this is an incomplete course and I have a year to finish it. If I didn't get an A at that moment, I can get an A later.

[t75]

It does not take getting an "A" to graduate. There is more to your story that is adversely affecting your position.

[directshoot]

What's it? Point me out. The ISSO and USCIS delay my case for nearly half a yr.

[JoeF]

I am doing everything to get an A. The thing is, this is an incomplete course

So, you didn't even finish the class. You just confirmed that you didn't do the homework and exams necessary.

[directshoot]

Shoot. No. The incomplete class means I have one year to finish the course. I don't need to finish the class at that semester. Understand, idiot?

[JoeF]

Ahh, showing an attitude.

An Incomplete means that you didn't finish the class. I have been a TA, I know these things.

Now grow up.

[directshoot]

I didn't finish it b/c I took too many classes at a time.

[JoeF]

I didn't finish it b/c I took too many classes at a time.

Ok, now we are getting somewhere. That's a known reason for getting an incomplete.

The failure is still yours, because part of the education is also figuring out how many classes to take.

You can't blame others for you thinking you could bite off more than you could chew. Graduate counselors usually advise against taking more than 4 classes in a quarter (the university I attended had the quarter system.)

[Desi Dude]

You are in a tough situation with no fault of yours. As far as I remember they don't give approve OPT till your show transcripts right?

[t75]

Actual, at the school I know best, international students may not receive an incomplete because they would likely fall below the required number of hours. They are required to receive an F. If they later qualify for a change of grade - which has to be approved by a whole lot of people to prevent fraud - the grade can be changed. If it prevents graduation, so be it.