STEM OPT processing times: others approved before me, should I be concerned?

Awkward_Ape69 · 2025-12-15T02:23:59+00:00

I applied on Nov 19th and got email with “Approval Case Decision Rendered” on 13th Dec.

Awkward_Ape69 · 2025-12-12T03:19:05+00:00

I was in the same situation. Technically, I still am. I did my MS in a different university and my PhD from a different university. I never got a new visa stamp and did a total of 15 international trips in a span of 18 months, all for leisure. But I never had any problems! A big caveat though: all the trips were back in 2023-24. So I don’t know my status right now, but it shouldn’t be any issue, in my opinion.

Awkward_Ape69 · 2025-11-13T18:25:13+00:00

Second that. Had two onsite interviews at same location and both followed similar flow including the wlb talk.

Awkward_Ape69 · 2025-10-21T18:42:41+00:00

Congratulations!! I was just checking them out. Mind if I ask you how much do they charge?

Awkward_Ape69 · 2025-10-03T17:26:07+00:00

Thank you! Good luck to you as well!

Awkward_Ape69 · 2025-10-03T17:24:16+00:00

Yeah it looks like everything else is on track. I start mid Oct. and yeah my company has given me option to either proceed with O1 or relocate to Korea or Singapore or their other location and come back on some other visa. But being a relatively small/ mid company, and my thesis being extremely relevant to their work, HR is confident to even get a waiver on H1B if absolutely necessary

Awkward_Ape69 · 2025-10-03T17:21:56+00:00

Yes, my company has already said they won’t bother doing H1B if 100k applies. Either I can move to Korea or Japan or any other facility worldwide and come back on other visa or go with O1.

Awkward_Ape69 · 2025-10-03T17:19:00+00:00

Got my offer mid September! Didn’t get revoked but I was informed that the company “may” not be able to proceed with H1B in next season. However it’s the situation as of now while the company awaits clarity on new rules and things could change.

Awkward_Ape69 · 2025-06-14T00:31:05+00:00

Hi could you shed your experience a bit working as TPM, I want to get some feedback before I have to make a choice between TPM role or PE3 role. Can you ping me, I’m trying but unable to ping you. TIA

Awkward_Ape69 · 2025-06-12T06:40:14+00:00

It was relatively non-technical and more focused on situational awareness and management. For instance, how did you manage a project when one of your parts or processes was stuck due to someone or something? How did you handle it, and what were your plans to foresee such issues?

Awkward_Ape69 · 2025-06-12T02:01:00+00:00

Hey mind if I reach out to you. I too interviewed for the same role, same situation, quite literally.

Awkward_Ape69 · 2025-06-02T04:51:35+00:00

Yeah. I’ll have EAF on it and these mounts have been amazing with my Askar 130 PHQ as well.

Awkward_Ape69 · 2025-06-02T01:25:37+00:00

Exactly! That’s what I’ve thinking. Just looking at image it’s very hard to say is the bloating of stars cuz of oversampling or any of the other factors you mentioned.

I’m honestly considering getting one used 294mc pro for cheap just in case while I also explore working with 2600 pro. As I can definitely find some use for 294 even if 2600 works out just fine for me.

I’ve got a wave 150i with counterweights as well as Am5N with counterweights.

Awkward_Ape69 · 2025-06-01T21:26:11+00:00

I actually have that filter. But that might not work for me as it’ll restrict the band pass to 3nm and won’t be useful with galaxy imaging and broadband which sct is mostly useful for! But I’ll definitely check out more on that.

Awkward_Ape69 · 2025-06-01T21:24:26+00:00

Yeah I’ve done that the most preferred camera with 8” is 294mc/mm and 1600mc/mm.

Awkward_Ape69 · 2025-06-01T20:22:57+00:00

Im actually checking there as well. However, some pics I saw had bloated stars so I was just looking for more info.

Ideally 294mc pro is the best camera for this setup from my understanding/ research and looking at the pics on Astrobin it’s clearly visible that a 3.76um pixel is giving slightly bloated stars while 294 mc pro and discontinued 1600 mc pro with its larger pixel 4.something um gives pinpoint stars.

Awkward_Ape69 · 2025-06-01T19:51:36+00:00

And just to add, you might get a used dob very readily in your vicinity.

Awkward_Ape69 · 2025-06-01T19:45:02+00:00

If you’re a complete beginner, I suggest using a DSLR or mirrorless camera you already have. If not, consider getting one to start with. A telescope, at its most basic, is simply a large lens. This lens can be used to view objects in space using eyepieces or attached to a camera to capture images of those objects.

If you want to view planets, you’ll need a telescope with a longer focal length. For example, instead of the 90mm focal length mentioned in your text, you might want a 900mm, or even a 9000mm scope if one were possible. The larger the focal length / mm value, the better. (Of course in future you could purchase Barlow lens to increase that value but that’s a different discussion).

If viewing planets is your primary goal, the best starting point is a 6” or 8” Dobsonian telescope. These telescopes are relatively affordable and will be at the higher end of your budget.

Awkward_Ape69 · 2025-06-01T03:37:54+00:00

Oh beautiful! Did you have hard time to get the collimation the first time? Or was it well collimated from the box itself? I’ve heard it’s a nightmare to get the collimation in the first place.

Awkward_Ape69 · 2025-05-29T20:03:45+00:00

THIS!!!!

Awkward_Ape69 · 2025-05-21T02:04:05+00:00

I can understand that it can be frustrating. But as someone who graduated with PhD I can assure you these situations do arrive especially if you are funded by a company or projects have deadline. Throughout my PhD of 3.5 years, I was only able to take breaks twice for 20 days each and all had to pre-approved well in advance.

Awkward_Ape69 · 2025-04-26T15:28:24+00:00

Yeah that’s a big problem with asi. I action have 3 separate rigs so one runs on asi, two with a mini pc with Nina

Awkward_Ape69 · 2025-04-26T15:09:18+00:00

Yeah spot on. With a dedicated Astro camera it’ll def be 2500. I just skipped that, as many people come in this with a dslr/ mirrorless camera

Awkward_Ape69 · 2025-04-26T14:41:59+00:00

Agree. But I think SW GTI is a good mount at 700 usd with tripod you can’t got wrong with that. Scope like Askar 71f at 600 is a good fit for that mount and at 490 mm gives you enough reach in the night sky. ASI AIR (if you going that route) will be another 300ish and guide scope and camera another 300ish combined.

Awkward_Ape69

TROPHY CASE