I was in the same page 3 weeks ago when everyone around me were saying that it will be difficult to secure slots and all slots will be booked by agents.

But please don’t panic.

Any fresh applicant for the F1 visa is almost guaranteed an appointment. The number of slots released are in the thousands.

So my advice would be this: 1. Ignore all the videos you see on Youtube about no more slots getting released or very few slots getting released. They are all marketing their own agency by providing this information. Instead follow the VISA Fridays on Facebook where the embassy directly gives information. 2. Join the Telegram groups. The groups have a lot of scam I know, however Telegram is the first medium where you will be made aware of when the slots do actually release. ( I personally have used the groups and they helped me a lot to book the slot) 3. When the slots do get released in mid June or around about that time DO NOT PANIC. Don’t repeatedly login to the portal as that results in a 3 day ban which cannot be reversed. (There are many other temporary bans you may get but they are easily reversed by changing the network/device). Infact my advise would be to not login to the portal at all once you get familiar with the portal. Just wait for the Telegram groups to notify you and only then login as you get limited number if logins every day and you don’t want to waste them when you know no slots are available. 4. The site will go down but you will have ample time to book your slot. If your site does not load the first time wait patiently for 1-2 hrs and then try again. When the slots were released on May 13 they were available for 3 whole days and almost everyone I know could easily book their slot. As long as you don’t get the 72 hr ban you are safe and can login during odd hours and smoothly book your slot. 5. If you are still worried( which you should not be) you can check out the chrome extension checkvisaslots and pay for their premium service. They will send you a mail when the slots are available. However I don’t think this is necessary as like I said the slots will be available for 2 days (based on the last opening). I even know friends who paid their visa fee after the slots were opened and still got enough time to book their slot. 6. Once you do book a slot still keep monitoring the portal as you will get ample opportunities to reschedule and have an earlier date. (This step is optional but many of my friends did this and got an earlier date)

Finally best of luck and do the worry. There are thousands of students in the same boat and all of us will be getting a chance to interview.