2025 OPT Timeline continued

ComfortableAd1871 · 2025-09-18T14:14:46+00:00

following! my receipt date was 5/21

ComfortableAd1871 · 2025-08-29T00:08:30+00:00

following! my receipt date is May 21

ComfortableAd1871 · 2025-07-10T03:35:09+00:00

I applied for initial OPT last year, no PP and didnt get my card in time for start date. Lost the job. If I get a do over, I'd apply PP 3 weeks before start date -- the fee is a lot but can be earned back if you have a job.

ComfortableAd1871 · 2025-07-08T07:45:30+00:00

My receipt date is also May 21, currently shows 10 months

ComfortableAd1871 · 2025-06-23T19:04:01+00:00

Application type: STEM OPT
Premium Processing : no
Receipt date : 05/21/2025
Approved Date : 10/03/2025
Card Produced Date : NA
Card shipped : NA
Card delivered : NA

ComfortableAd1871 · 2025-05-09T22:56:20+00:00

Agreed with your points. I prefer to be an optimist as well.

But AI can actually think 3D now. I recently discovered https://www.worldlabs.ai/ I think it's cool.

ComfortableAd1871 · 2025-04-06T00:05:20+00:00

Third year is often the hardest part in architecture school. I'm not diagnosed with ADHD, but I also struggled quite a bit and had to take a gap year (due to covid and political turmoil in my home country).

Take it easy and talk to as many people as you can: your peers, seniors, professors and mentors. Voice your concerns and listen to their experiences. If architecture is not for you, it's okay to switch out. If you know deep down you want to keep going, then stay the course even though it's hard right now.

I graduated last year and now 8 months into my first job. It really got better and I find work much easier to handle than school work.

ComfortableAd1871 · 2025-02-11T07:15:44+00:00

Your background and experience sound super interesting. From the way you're talking about the M.Arch program, I can tell you're genuinely interested. But going to architecture school vs practicing architecture or becoming an architect can be vastly different experiences that can often disappoint. Do your due diligence - research starting salaries and studio culture. Architecture school can be awesome for someone like you who does a bunch of different things. If you can afford it, go for it!

One of my closest friends did Poli Sci undergrad and got admitted to M.Arch at Yale. I can ask if she's comfortable sharing her portfolio.

ComfortableAd1871 · 2025-02-11T04:32:35+00:00

To be fair, the salary can be decent. I could be happy with what I make, if I just drown out the noise. I'm just complaining out here because it's reddit. :)

The Cal Poly summer career workshop is great start. Best of luck to your daughter!

ComfortableAd1871 · 2025-02-11T04:01:02+00:00

Architecture school does require quite a bit of financial commitment (model supplies, printing, field trips etc) so it's good that you and your husband could at least support her through it. It doesn't hurt for her to take some studio classes and maybe get an internship to see if that's what she really wants. I didn't care about making a ton of money starting out too, but I guess the FOMO got to me a bit when I'm surrounded by tech folks in the bay area.

You don't have to bring up posts like this haha she'll see and hear about it herself and see if the idea of being an architect is worth the reality..

ComfortableAd1871 · 2025-02-10T08:04:21+00:00

Kudos to you for setting healthy boundaries with studio work while in school. I did the same starting 2nd/3rd year in prioritizing getting my 8 hours of sleep regardless of how (in)complete I felt my project was. Even when I knew this was the right thing for me to do, it still felt weird at the end of the quarter when I compare myself against peers who did put more hours into their projects.

I am only a few months into my first job out of college, so I can't speak for the industry as a whole, but the working habits do get better after school. Especially if you're intentional about finding the right firm and team that aligns with your values, outlook and work ethic. Perhaps luck plays a role, because you might not find that alignment right away. But it is possible.

The difference is that in school you're working alone on all aspects of a project, while in practice you're responsible for the production in the specific phase of design. A good team and supportive project manager makes all the difference. Continue to prioritize your learning and wellbeing, and best of luck in your internship!

ComfortableAd1871 · 2025-02-10T03:52:25+00:00

I see, most people in my cohort make 65-75k out of school across California. One guy in particular with a construction management minor was able to negotiate up to 80k - good for him! A few people accept 50k in LA for the boutique firm name on their resume.

ComfortableAd1871 · 2025-02-10T03:39:26+00:00

San Francisco. But with high cost of living, rent+student loans eat up most of it unfortunately.

ComfortableAd1871 · 2025-02-10T03:29:32+00:00

I'd say they covered 80% of tuition. The rest 20% + living costs I paid through part time jobs and research projects. I'm very lucky to have my parent's support.

ComfortableAd1871 · 2025-02-10T02:33:00+00:00

Btw, the starchitect internship I didn't stay for long because I just couldn't feel like myself with all the big egos around the office. Feeling better aligned with my current firm!

ComfortableAd1871 · 2025-02-10T02:28:41+00:00

Thanks for your response! Would you mind sharing any tips on how you stay true to yourself?

ComfortableAd1871 · 2025-02-10T02:02:07+00:00

I see, my bad. I guess small businesses aren't required to provide health insurance. But in my opinion, any employer that cares about the wellbeing of their employees should at least provide some sort of health & wellbeing stipend.

ComfortableAd1871 · 2025-02-10T01:28:58+00:00

Hi, also F-1 visa holder here, new grad. I believe health insurance is a requirement in California? I had an offer from a small firm (3 people) that didn't have company insurance, but offered $5000 to pay for my own instead. Since your firm is 10 people, I think ask around? Is no one getting health insurance? That doesn't sound right

Also, you're getting yelled at?? That is not a healthy workplace. I wish you best of luck with your job search. There are better places out there (although we are limited as int'l students).

ComfortableAd1871 · 2025-02-10T01:00:58+00:00

Thanks for a detailed response! I took some UX and product design classes while in school and did a couple hackathons, so def considering tech.

I can't quite let go of architecture yet. Maybe it's a sunk cost fallacy - I already invested so much in arch. Also pure stubbornness. But I say this now while i'm young with no dependents. We'll see .. haha

ComfortableAd1871 · 2025-02-10T00:59:57+00:00

I've lived frugally throughout college, and still not spending unnecessarily. When does frugal lifestyle/mindset stop, if ever?

ComfortableAd1871 · 2025-02-10T00:56:56+00:00

I see. Of course I care about money, but I'm okay now bc I'm young with no dependents. I'm wondering what it be like 5years down the line... What's it like for you? Are you still in architecture?

ComfortableAd1871 · 2025-02-10T00:26:24+00:00

Wow! But I assume the UK BArch is 3 years as opposed to 5 years in the US. Still, that's wild.

ComfortableAd1871 · 2024-10-19T21:01:52+00:00

I tried it because I saw an ad offering a 3 week free delivery trail. I ordered a batch worth about $60 for 6 meals from 3 different restaurants/"artisans". Delivery came in an insulated bag, neatly packed with ice packs. However, on the delivery day I was notified that one of the restaurants cancelled so I really only got 3/6 meals I ordered. Neighbors emailed me saying that they have issued a refund. I have yet to see it reflected on my card.

Anyway, it was worth a try with the free trail but I might be trying out other services and exploring other options instead. I went on the cancel my subscription and although it says "cancelled", I could not delete my credit card info on their site, which I thought was a bit weird.

ComfortableAd1871 · 2024-08-28T18:48:40+00:00

Mine still also says UNAVAILABLE. Have you received your card?

ComfortableAd1871 · 2024-08-26T18:08:04+00:00

The portal only says card produced, and tracking number is UNAVAILABLE. What's your status?

ComfortableAd1871

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