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STEM OPT – what do you need to understand?

sop for ms applications guide

Students are always confused about OPT and STEM extensions etc. because these directly impact how easily you are able to work in USA because admit it, one of the foremost reasons for pursuing MS in USA is to get a job there afterwards. Let’s look at some simple things you need to know about these without getting into the complications.

STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) programs and many graduate degrees qualify to be considered as STEM degrees such as:

  1. Business Analytics
  2. MIS
  3. Quantitative Finance
  4. Computer and Information Sciences
  5. All branches of Engineering including Industrial Engineering

However, it is better to ensure that the program you are applying for is STEM validated before you apply if that is your major concern. Frankly, I do not care that much. When I was applying for jobs, there were no OPT extensions. These things sometimes boil down to chance. What matters more to me is that there are good opportunities to be availed in USA and that is something I cannot say about Europe.

Earlier the students were provided with 17 months of additional OPT, which has now been extended to 24 months. This means that now you can hunt for jobs for up to 3 years (1 original + 2 years additional) after graduation. Why is it needed? Because to work in USA, you need to get H-1B visas. And number of H-1B visas allotted each year are less than the number of people applying for those (selected based on random lottery system). So, sometimes students graduated from MS programs are not able to get the H-1B. To give more time to these students, the government decided to extend the OPT so that they can try their luck at lottery again.

To qualify for the 24-month extension, you must:

  • Have been granted OPT and currently be in a valid period of OPT;
  • Work for an employer who meets all the requirements listed below in the STEM OPT Employer Responsibilities section
  • Have earned a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from a STEM accredited program

We have discussed CPT and OPT in detail in the MS Book if you shall be interested in exploring further.

1 Comment

  1. Hi! Thank you very much for Info.
    Just as you had written an article about MS data science/ business analytics, I was wondering if you could write an article about MS in financial engineering/ quantitative finance.
    Since it is a niche field, so many are not completely aware about it. If you could share some info about it, it would be great


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I was a mid-career professional in my early thirties when I started my journey with Scholar Strategy (SS). Tired with the monotonous job, and frustrated with corporate politics, I was probably going through a ‘mid-career’ crisis, not really sure where I wanted to go. This is when Nistha came to my rescue and trust me she is the best counsellor I have ever had in my life! Having spent 12 years in IT industry, I wasn’t really sure if I wanted to do an MBA and that’s when Nistha helped me f… Read more
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