AL is from India. After getting his master's degree in the U.S., now he works as a senior product manager based in Boston, Massachusetts, who unfortunately was not selected for the H1B visa several years in a row and had to opt for Day 1 CPT to continue working legally in the US. Like many international students who choose Day 1 CPT, his main concerns are tuition, location, and timing. Today, he's here to share his personal insights on selecting a Day 1 CPT school and his study experiences for those who also were not selected in the FY2025 H1B lottery, aiming to provide guidance and hope to those who are currently feeling as desperate as he once did.
AL has studied at two Day 1 CPT universities, New England College and the University of the Cumberlands. In this interview, he compares his experiences at these schools from three aspects, highlighting nuances that only those familiar with Day 1 CPT might recognize but could be easily overlooked by newcomers to Day 1 CPT:
Fee structure, especially additional costs on top of the tuition.
Program duration, the maximum duration you can take advantage of Day 1 CPT, and how many times you can enter the H1B lottery while studying that program.
Class detail, including the grading and advising systems, and what classes are being taught and are they offered at the campus of your choice.