IMMUNIZATION

  Q1. What are the immunization requirements? Am I supposed to be immunized? 

• Yes, when you enter the United States you are supposed to be immunized against certain diseases. They are very particular about such things. Each University has various requirements. I will list a few common diseases you should be immunized against.

1.       Hepatitis B

2.       Mumps

3.       Measles

4.       Rubella

5.       Varicella

6.       Diptheria

7.       Pertussis

8.       Tetanus

9.       Tuberculosis.

 
Q2. What proof do I need of these vaccinations?

•      .You will need proof that you were immunized against these diseases in childhood (Most of us don’t have these records). And we also need antibody titers showing that we have the antibodies to these diseases. So if u don’t have record of your childhood vaccination don’t worry.. Get antibody titers done , The titers are fair enough proof that u are immunized.

 Q3. Where do I get the titers done?

•         You can get the titers done in any big hospital or any big Clinical lab. ( I am from Karnataka so I know you can get it done from Apollo Hospitals in Bangalore.)

 Q4. How much is the expenditure?

•         It depends on the place u getting it done. In Bangalore it costs anywhere from 6k to 10k to get these titers done.

  Q5. How much time does it take to get these titres?

•        It takes appx 7 days to get all the results.

  Q6. I don’t know whether I was immunized in the childhood or not. What do I do?

•  You have 2 options – a) Get your titers done and if any of them are negative get urself vaccinated with that vaccine and re-do the titers for that disease.  b) Get yourself vaccinated again whether or not u were vaccinated in childhood and then get your titers done after 3 weeks.....It depends on u as the time required for antibodies to appear in blood is minimum 15 days.. I am talking about IgG not IgM.

  Q7. I got negative titers. What to do?

•         You will have to get yourself immunized again and then re do the titers after 3 weeks.

  Q8. I got the disease during childhood. Do I need to get vaccinated?

•         No if u got the disease during childhood,u are immune and u should have positive antibody titers.

  Q9.  Do I send the originals to the Universities?

•         No you will have to photocopy the reports. Get them attested by your Chief medical officer ( or any authorized person) and send.

VISA PROCEDURE AND EXPERIENCE

                         Hey Friends,
                      

I just got my Visa approved so i thought i will share my experience with u so that u get a picture. First i will describe about visa n then i will answer FAQs about it..

How to apply..
Ok Applying for a visa is very simple...
Step 1 - Go to a HDFC bank which provides a Visa receipt after taking Visa fees.. You will get 2 receipts .. keep them safely with u. they take one or 2 days to get activated.
Step 2 - Go to this site https://www.vfs-usa.co.in/USIndia/Index.html .. Fill in properly the form DL160 with proper information.. note that once u put in info here it cannot be changed.. so practice before submitting ur application.. After u successfully fill the form u will get a conformation of application.. take a print out.. u will get a bar code over it... then go to the above site and click the option ' make an appointment' .. go on filling it carefully..   u will need to enter ur HDFC receipt no ther n also ur bar code of dl 160 form.. then u have to select ur date u desire.. time u cannot select..
Thats it u get ur Appointment letter.. take a print out of ur both dl 160 form n appointment letter..
Keep these things safely 1. HDFC receipt  2. Appointment letter. 3. DL- 160 form.

Procedure Done.....  :)

Ok now let me tell about my interview...
My appointment was at 8 o clock in the morning...
I woke up at 5.30.. got ready . i was wearing a formal shirt , a tie n black polished shoes .. with a clean shaved face.. n a smile on my face :) ( this is very imp) . went to the embassy at 6.30.. they allowed us inside only at 7... but as i had been early .. i got to the interiew after just  or 6 candidates...
ok now the Interview.

my no. came.. i went and greeted the officer.. he was an American.. he greeted me back..
Q!. ok why do u wish to go to the U.S?
A. Sir i wish to go there to do my clinical electives and appear for my step 2 C.S exam.

Q2. What is electives?
A. sir it is a short course for undergraduate students done to improve their clinical knowledge.

Q3. Ok do u have a acceptance letter?
 A. Yes sir here it is.

Q4. Who is sponsoring u?
A. My father sir. Do u wish to see the financial report of our assets ?

He said no its fine..

Q5. when will u return?
A. i will return as soon as i appear for my step 2 exam sir.. most probably on the 15th may.

Q6. what is ur step 2 location?
A. Sir i hav applied now n i am yet to recieve the scheduling permit. i ha registered n made payments . Do u wish to see the print outs?

He said no... then he did smethin in the computer for few minutes.. then He sid alright .. you are all set.. ur visa is approved  and it will return to u by post..
I said thank u very much for ur time sir... :)
Done :)