During your program of study in the United States, you probably will have to complete several writing assignments. Some academic programs require more writing than others, but all F and M students must complete some writing. To celebrate the National Day on Writing on October 20, here are some examples of the types of writing that you must do as an F or M student studying in the United States:

1. Applications: To enroll in a program at a U.S. school, you must first apply and gain admission. While some schools require you to fill out their specific applications, others are members of the Common Application.

2. Personal Essays: Many schools also require all applicants to submit an essay, which at some schools is a way for students to stand out.Topics are varied and require your original writing.

3. Forms: F and M students must fill out certain forms to maintain status and study in the United States. You must fill out forms at all stages of the F or M student process, including before you arrive, while you are here and when you complete your program of study:

• Form I-901, “Fee Remittance for Certain F, J and M Visa Nonimmigrants,” when you pay your I-901 SEVIS Fee.
• Depending on the state, you may need to fill out forms when you apply for a Social Security number (SSN) or a driver’s license.
• Form I-539, “Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status,” which you must complete if you are submitting a change of status or applying for reinstatement if you have not maintained your status. For example, an F-1 student seeking to obtain H-1B status must complete this form. An M student will use this to transfer to another school or extend status.
• Form I-765, “Application for Employment Authorization,” which you will submit to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for work authorization, after you have received information and approval from your designated school official (DSO).
• Form I-515A, “Notice to Student or Exchange Visitor,” if you arrive in the United States without all of your required documents.
• Form I-94, “Arrival/Departure Record,” when you first arrive at a port of entry in the United States, unless you receive a digital version.

4. Contacting the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP): You can call the SEVP Response Center at 703-603-3400, but another option is to write an e-mail to SEVP at SEVP@ice.dhs.govon general questions. If you chose to write an e-mail to SEVP, please be specific about the issue and question and include your contact information. Address questions about specific issues to these e-mail addresses:

• SEVIS.I-515@ice.dhs.gov for issues with the Form I-515A.
• DMVSSA.SEVP@ice.dhs.gov for issues with driver’s licenses or an SSN.

Remember to talk to your DSO about questions, for information and to make sure you are maintaining your status.

According to the New York Times, because National Day on Writing falls on a Saturday this year, be sure to follow the conversation on Twitter (#WhatIWrite) on Friday, October 19.

Source:

• Encourage Authentic Writing With #WhatIWrite and #NaNoWriMo; New York Times