Other Gap Year Physics Research for an International Student?

[ycao]

Just got rejected by nearly all of my grad schools (one hasn't reply but the chance is pretty small).
The funding is super harsh this year in my field and even worse for a student from China. Is there any way for an international student to take a gap year for physics research in the U.S? ( My degree is done in the U.S so OPT is an option. Don't want to go back to china for research though.)

 

[Vanadium 50]

What are you planning to use for a visa?

 

[ycao]

What are you planning to use for a visa?

There's "Optional Practical Training (OPT) for F-1 Students" available for working in the U.S for 1-3 years.

 

[Dr Transport]

Getting a visa might take a year, and since you are not an accepted current student in the US, chances might be slim you get one.

 

[ZapperZ]

Just got rejected by nearly all of my grad schools (one hasn't reply but the chance is pretty small).
The funding is super harsh this year in my field and even worse for a student from China. Is there any way for an international student to take a gap year for physics research in the U.S? ( My degree is done in the U.S so OPT is an option. Don't want to go back to china for research though.)

OK, you need to pay attention to this very carefully, or you will be in a lot of trouble:

Check with your international student office on your status, and under what circumstances can you continue to stay after your degree. Even if you go for the optional training visa after completion of your degree, you need to check if you are able to get that without prior offers or if you end up not getting any offers. With just an undergraduate degree, getting such an offer does not look very promising.

With the immigration climate in the US the way it is, you do not want to mess around with guessing on what you can and can't do. If your degree program is done, your F1 will expire very soon and you do not want to overstay your visa.

Zz.