Approved.

Location: Mumbai Consulate

Time: 12:00 pm

Counter number 5

The final hurdle - the visa interview is behind me! USA is on!!

Reached the place at 11:30. Its almost like a fortress with the huge walls and all those armed guards and commandos sweeping the area. Surprisingly the security check was very lax. No frisking, no checking of my documents folder. Post the finger prints, i had to wait for an hour i think. A couple of trips to the bathroom later my number was finally called. 

I was 5th in line queuing outside the interview box. 1,2,3,4 all got rejects, that guy was on a roll!! Its a little ironic that they give you a 'GREEN' envelope with your passport when your visa has been rejected. 'better luck next time' maybe? Anyway, at this point I began to freak out… 

The guy looked very stern but once we started talking he got me totally relaxed.

VO: Hi, how are you today?

Me: Hey!! I'm good. What about you? busy day, right?

VO: Very busy. So, Mr Karan. Which school are you heading to?

Me: The George Washington University in DC.

VO: Thats a nice school. I know someone who went there. Tell me about your course. 

Me: I intend to do my Masters in Engineering Management with specialization in Finance, Economics and Cost Engineering..

VO: Interrupted me mid sentence and said "so tell me more about cost engineering"

Me: i was actually going WTF?! but i did not stay quiet for more than a couple of second. told him a few things related to it. (thank you IEERP)

VO: Interrupted me again mid sentence "So what you are saying is it is related only to the accounts department" (I don't know if he really did not know or was trying to confuse me)

Me: No sir. It involves all kinds of resources, blah blah so it affects all departments

(starts typing into his computer and seems to lose interest in what im saying at this point)

VO: Who will be financing your education?

Me: My parents

VO: What are their professions?

Me: They are both doctors.

VO: Do they work at a hospital?

Me: (i wanted to say obviously!) Yes they work at a hospital in which they are 50% stake owners.

VO: And can you tell me their annual income?

Me: xxxxx

VO: What do you plan to do after your education?

Me: Come back to my family in India and work as a consultant in the finance sector.

VO: Ok. Your visa has been approved. Your passport will reach you in 3 working days.

Me: Thank you! (with a big-ass smile n punching the air) Bye. Have a nice day!

It might seem very long, but my interview lasted only about 1 minute or lesser. I did not have to even open my folder containing the documents. 

I think being confident and well prepared with your answers is the key here. Eye contact does wonders too.

Its time to book the air tickets. And start looking forward to how the next chapter will unfold..